How to Find a Great Accountant for Your Business
Access to professional accounting services and advice can add significant value to your business. An accountant will source all your documents: receipts, invoices, and other documents that record business activity to post accounting transactions.Preparing source documents for all client transactions, operations, and other business events is only possible with a qualified accountant. In addition, accounting professionals are prepared with the tax law knowledge for your business and will know many tax breaks as they happen to help you get the best claim value reward for your business. So, how do you find a great accountant for your business?
Ask for Referrals
Ask your network of business owners for referrals, preferably for an accountant who has experience in your industry. You may also reach out to your banker, online communities like LinkedIn, and/or local community groups.
You may also run an online search, we recommend checking out your potential accountant’s website and reading about their services, their team, and advice they may provide small businesses on their webpage.
Qualifications
A great small business accountant or accounting firm will have the credentials to verify their knowledge and experience with business taxes. Ask for a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). The IRS requires a PTIN for anyone receiving payment to help file taxes for others. If they don’t have this number when signing your return, that’s an immediate red flag.
In addition, hiring an accountant is good, but working with a full-service CPA firm is a lot better. Not every accountant is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). To become a CPA, accountants must pass an exam and meet certain state-specific criteria. Since CPAs are required to periodically renew their certification, they have to stay up-to-date on business accounting issues.
Audit Experience
Getting audited can be very stressful for any business owner. If you face an IRS audit, your accountant or accounting team should be able to assist you and provide consultation through the audit process while following IRS guidelines.
Availability and Flexibility
As your business grows, you’ll be looking to bring in the support and knowledge of others. Will your CPA firm be available to answer your calls or provide reports you need for a last-minute meeting? At CPA by Choice we understand how important it is to have information readily-available and we want you to leave your accounting, tax, and/or reporting worries behind and get back to focusing on the things that matter most in your life.
Tech-Savvy
Ensure your accountant uses accounting software that you can both access. A good accounting software will include a portal that can be linked to your financial records, making it simple and easy for your accountant to maintain your financial records and create documents. CPA by Choice can guide you in choosing the best software for your business.
CPA by Choice is an accountant provider that can help your business with other services, such as taxes, payroll management, software applications, recruitment, business referrals, etc… In addition, we can provide financial reporting that you may need for your meetings, for your investors, or for anyone whom it needs to be presented to. We can also help you manage your business effectively from a financial standpoint so that you have better control of income and expenses to avoid any financial troubles. Last but not least, we can make you more money. How so? Tracking your invoices helps you know who your top clients are and which products/services are moneymakers.
Allow us to take on the accounting responsibilities of your business. Still not sure on how to find a great accountant or what questions to ask? At CPA by Choice, we are available to answer your questions, feel free to call us or send us a message.