3 Things to Look for in Your Accountant

probably not him

It's that time of year when small business owners begin considering finally hiring that accountant they needed years ago, or they are finally ready to make the switch to a new accountant.  

Either way, below are some things to consider before you make any moves:

1. Make sure the person knows what they are doing! - Ask for qualified referrals and make sure you actually call them. You can always call your local Chamber of Commerce for some qualified leads. Lastly, check to see if the accountant has a questionable history with the Better Business Bureau and the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility for enrolled agents.

2. So how much does one of these accountant thingys cost? – One of the biggest fears that people have of using a CPA or any accountant IS NOT that it will cost too much. It is that they don’t know what it will cost. Ask upfront for at least an estimate or an hourly fee. Avoid accountants who only want to talk about taxes, then base their fee on a percentage of your tax refund or those who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. Also, you do not want the cheapest accountant either.  You get what you pay for.  If you don't believe that, then eat off of the McDonald's dollar menu for the rest of this month.  

3. Make sure you can talk to this person in months that do not end in "pril" - Make sure you will be able to contact the accountant after your tax return has been filed, even after the April due date.  You should be able to have an on-going relationship with your accountant year-round.  You will want this person to help you with tax planning (not just tax preparing), reviewing financial statements with you, and they should also be able to offer solid advice.