How to Choose an Accountant

How to Choose an Accountant or Tax Preparer

Look for professional credential(s)
- CPA
- Masters in taxation
- Enrolled agent
Look for membership in professional organization(s)
- AICPA
- WICPA
- NATP
- NSTP
Look for someone with a permanent office - nothing worse than trying to track down a nomad.
Look for someone with a year round office
- IRS & WDR notices rarely come 1/1 - 4/15!
- you'll come across times you need Q's answered all year long!
- Tax planning is best done in May-Dec!
Choose an office size where you are going to deal with only a few people and not someone new each year.
Look for a firm that's hourly charges are neither the highest nor the lowest.
- Too high and you'll be afraid to incur fees.
- Too low and you'll probably get what you pay for - limited time and/or effort.
If you don't know someone personally - ask several business associates who they use. Then ask why!
Sometimes the best way to choose a professional is the way you choose a friend or stay in business - gut feel - talk to them - Do they sound intelligent? Up to date? Well rounded? Friendly?
Your efforts are best spent doing what you are best at and hiring professionals for those areas you lack expertise. Even if you are charging $45/hour and they are charging $90/hour, if they can cut your time in half you get two major benefits.
- It's done professionally. Your mind should be put at ease and you should get a better result. If your mind is weighed down by fear or preoccupation, you can't concentrate on those areas of your life you need to be giving your all too.
- You didn't have to do it. If your extra time was spent productively by obtaining additional clients your investment will pay off in repeat business!!!
Finally, even though you should have a professional, don't divorce yourself from the project. Be involved - choose someone who will teach you how to:
- Be a better taxpayer - pay less taxes
- Be a good client - pay less fees or get more for the same fees