You should look for a professional that you can work with regardless if they are a CPA, Enrolled Agent or Tax Professional. And then meet or speak with them more than once a year. Do your mid-year reviews!
I recommend Allen C. Lizza in Longview. Not only does he prepare my annual tax returns, but he advises me in tax planning to reduce my tax burden. Proactively planning helps ease the tension associated with my returns. May I refer you to him? If so, let me know.
The best CPAs I have worked with were referred to me by people I know and trust. I would ask a Financial Advisor that I know and trust if they would recommend someone in my area. What area are you in?
The first thing I would look for is someone who has some understanding of my type of business. In a lot of cases, small businesses do not need a CPA. A qualified bookkeeper is more than sufficient in a lot of cases. The difference in cost can be substantial. Also, you need to have a good idea of what you want your CPA or bookkeeper to do for you. Are you looking for financial reporting on a regular basis, etc.
Depends on what you are looking for. Is it for taxes? Does the CPA specialize in taxes? Tax Resolution? Not all CPAs can do all jobs. Look for the one that specializes in what you are looking for. Sometimes you don't need a CPA, but someone that specializes or is knowledgeable and has the expertise in what you are in need of. And always ask about who is doing the work. I am an EA and referred a client to a CPA for something and I ended up doing the work that the CPA had been hired to do because I found out I knew more than he did. So....ask questions. Not always do you need nor does the CPA have the expertise you need.
When hiring an accountant one thing to look for is that they have your best interests at hand. If an accountant is asking questions about you, your business, what your goals are and how they can help...you are probably at the right place. If an accountant is just asking for your tax documents or information to put a ledger together to prepare a tax return they may just be doing the work that any good data entry personnel could handle. If they are looking for answers and solutions for you, your family, and your business; in turn providing details of how to further your financial gain, potential tax efficiencies, how to gain market share, or how to better budget, plan, provide referrals, retirement solutions, etc... An accountant should be providing a personalized service that helps the individual through their financial life not just entering data and handing back some papers; so if they are not asking questions it might not be a good fit!?!?
Business from Myrtle Beach, SC
Answered on Aug 28th, 2019
There are different types of CPAs, some are old school focused on billing hours and others are focused on what the client needs and bill for the work no matter the hours required. It depends on what services you will need. In my experience most CPA firms do not provide in depth QuickBooks services because it's unreasonable for clients to pay high CPA hourly costs and CPAs can't afford to reduce their hourly charge because of the overhead costs and salaries they are accustomed to. It is also important for CPAs to provide tax planning not just tax preparation. I, as a CPA, focus on the needs of the clients which bill for services you need including in depth QuickBooks services. I have over 30 years experience in individual, corporate, partnership, nonprofit tax returns. I provide complete accounting services for business, hence the name "Complete Financial CPA Services". I also provide auditing services to both for-profit and non-profit businesses. To me, tax planning is essential for my clients.
I usually rely on reputation from a personal referral and like to know it is a fair price. As far as price, I do my own survey from my investment clients, some who are small business owners. The CPAs I know are in Northern California and Southern Oregon. You are welcome to contact me for more information if that dovetails with where you are located.
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Answers (31-40)
You should look for a professional that you can work with regardless if they are a CPA, Enrolled Agent or Tax Professional. And then meet or speak with them more than once a year. Do your mid-year reviews!
I would look for someone with qualifications, experience, and dedication to being thorough and timely. And of course, manners are always a must.
I recommend Allen C. Lizza in Longview. Not only does he prepare my annual tax returns, but he advises me in tax planning to reduce my tax burden. Proactively planning helps ease the tension associated with my returns. May I refer you to him? If so, let me know.
The best CPAs I have worked with were referred to me by people I know and trust. I would ask a Financial Advisor that I know and trust if they would recommend someone in my area. What area are you in?
Do they honestly care about you and your success?
That is something you have to try and assess while talking to them.
Also, you need to have a good idea of what you want your CPA or bookkeeper to do for you. Are you looking for financial reporting on a regular basis, etc.
Depends on what you are looking for. Is it for taxes? Does the CPA specialize in taxes? Tax Resolution? Not all CPAs can do all jobs. Look for the one that specializes in what you are looking for. Sometimes you don't need a CPA, but someone that specializes or is knowledgeable and has the expertise in what you are in need of. And always ask about who is doing the work. I am an EA and referred a client to a CPA for something and I ended up doing the work that the CPA had been hired to do because I found out I knew more than he did. So....ask questions. Not always do you need nor does the CPA have the expertise you need.
When hiring an accountant one thing to look for is that they have your best interests at hand. If an accountant is asking questions about you, your business, what your goals are and how they can help...you are probably at the right place. If an accountant is just asking for your tax documents or information to put a ledger together to prepare a tax return they may just be doing the work that any good data entry personnel could handle. If they are looking for answers and solutions for you, your family, and your business; in turn providing details of how to further your financial gain, potential tax efficiencies, how to gain market share, or how to better budget, plan, provide referrals, retirement solutions, etc... An accountant should be providing a personalized service that helps the individual through their financial life not just entering data and handing back some papers; so if they are not asking questions it might not be a good fit!?!?
There are different types of CPAs, some are old school focused on billing hours and others are focused on what the client needs and bill for the work no matter the hours required. It depends on what services you will need. In my experience most CPA firms do not provide in depth QuickBooks services because it's unreasonable for clients to pay high CPA hourly costs and CPAs can't afford to reduce their hourly charge because of the overhead costs and salaries they are accustomed to. It is also important for CPAs to provide tax planning not just tax preparation. I, as a CPA, focus on the needs of the clients which bill for services you need including in depth QuickBooks services. I have over 30 years experience in individual, corporate, partnership, nonprofit tax returns. I provide complete accounting services for business, hence the name "Complete Financial CPA Services". I also provide auditing services to both for-profit and non-profit businesses. To me, tax planning is essential for my clients.
I usually rely on reputation from a personal referral and like to know it is a fair price. As far as price, I do my own survey from my investment clients, some who are small business owners. The CPAs I know are in Northern California and Southern Oregon. You are welcome to contact me for more information if that dovetails with where you are located.