When it comes to hiring a CPA or an accountant, there are several things to consider before you go into the hiring process. To make sure that you are happy with the potential tax preparer that you intend to hire, we recommend that you ask yourself some key questions about who you are employing.
A bit of research and planning can go a long way and help you avoid hiring the wrong CPA. It’s a tough thing to do, and it really does mean that you have to put in the work and the detail to get there. However, before hiring a CPA you should definitely consider the following details. Without these considerations, you could find yourself walking into a very expensive problem later on down the line.
What Experience Does the CPA Have?
The main thing you want on your side when hiring an accountant is financial nous. If they don’t seem to be very experienced it may be better to go elsewhere. Having someone on your side who you know understands the process is very important. The last thing you need on your side is a tax expert who has very little experience of putting it all into practice!
Does the CPA Have Good References?
Any good tax preparation service worth hiring is going to have a list of good references to show. This makes it much easier for you to begin moving forward and making sure you have a company onside that you can trust. By chasing up any references provided, as well, you can make sure that the stories and claims being made are legitimate.
What Qualifications Does the CPA Have?
Any good accountant can give you access to their list of credentials from an educational standpoint. Many people for some reason don’t put much stock in the power of qualifications, but you want to know the person that you have hired has the right and the knowledge to be working with you.
Take the time to work out if the depth and detail of qualification is enough. An unqualified accountant is one best avoided!
Are They Industry Specialists?
Another challenging part of hiring a good tax preparer is making sure that they can help you out accordingly. If you hire an accountant who is a specialist when it comes to helping, say, construction firms then he won’t be good to you if you are a florist. Find an accountant who genuinely specializes in the industry that you work in.
A failure to do so is only likely to slow down your chances of success in the long-term. You’ll not only spend way too much time dealing with someone who has no ideas about your industry, but they won’t have any good advice that fits what you are facing.
Always hire an accountancy specialist who can back up what they say with experience of it working in the industry before. It’s a challenge to hire a good accountant, but looking around to these parameters should make it easier.
