Skip to main content An update on CoPilot
Last year we announced the beta launch of CoPilot, a data-driven service to help match small business customers who need an accountant with a FreeAgent practice partner. Here’s a quick update on where we are now.
Why did we launch CoPilot?
CoPilot was created after our research uncovered that one in 10 small business owners struggle to find the right accountant. We believe that we can make the process of searching for an accountant faster and more intuitive by harnessing and analysing a business’s financial data to match them with an expert. This is especially relevant during the current coronavirus crisis when customers urgently need accounting advice to support their existing businesses or to help start a new one.
As part of the NatWest Group, FreeAgent has access to thousands of business account holders. We know that many of these business owners do not currently have an accountant. With CoPilot, we have the opportunity to introduce this subset, along with our wider audience of small business owners, to our trusted practice partners, who can help them nail their financial admin and grow their businesses.
How does CoPilot work?
New and existing FreeAgent users who register interest in CoPilot will first complete the required identity checks with their selected practice partner. The practice will then have access to their new client’s FreeAgent account and can exchange messages from right inside FreeAgent. Clients are charged separately for CoPilot, in addition to their FreeAgent license fee.
What’s next?
The beta version of CoPilot is currently available for a subset of eligible businesses. We’re successfully matching around 15 businesses a month with a select group of practice partners.
We’ll slowly expand the number of our existing accountant partners who can get involved in CoPilot when the volume of interested business owners has increased. We’ll provide you with further details on the criteria over the coming months. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to speak to your account manager.