Shopping for a new CPA can be intimidating. You want to find someone that you can trust and has experience but you also need to consider who you can afford. In many cases people do not start looking for a tax preparer until they need something which puts a time limit on when they can look. If you are trying to find a tax firm quickly there are a few things you should keep in mind to help you narrow down your search.
Know where to Start Looking
Recommendations from family and friends are always helpful if you are looking for an accountant. They can tell you if they are happy with their current accountant or some things to watch out for along the way. In many cases online review boards are providing a lot of the same service. Get a feel for who others seem to trust and cancel out any red flags that could indicate that another tax specialist might not be all they claim to be.
Set a Budget
Doing your taxes is a very important step so you don’t want to be cheap when selecting a professional to help you. That said: if you know there is a fee that is simply out of your range, state this up front and avoid over-paying. If you sign up to work with a specialist that you can’t truly afford it will only create more of a burden for you rather than getting you the help that you need.
Seek out a Specialist
If you need something more rigorous than your basic 1040 then you need to find a specialist that caters to these kinds of needs. It will make the process go much faster and easier because the accountant will be able to answer all of your questions and manage your needs on the spot instead of having to a bit of research first. Whether it’s a 1099 form or a request for a FBAR there are specialists available that can get you the help you need.
If you are self employed make sure that you are not working with a seasonal accountant. You will need to complete quarterly filings so you will need someone that is going to be around all year to answer any questions that might come up, particularly if your income changes from quarter to quarter.
Interview Your Accountant
Once you get in to meet your accountant there are a few questions you should plan on asking to get things moving. Examples include:

  • What designations or licenses do you hold?
  • How many years of experience do you have?
  • Do you believe you have the expertise to handle my tax situation?
  • Do you outsource any of your work or perform it all personally?
  • What is the review process for your work? Who signs the returns?
  • How long will it take to finish my taxes?
  • What is your privacy policy? Who will you share my information with?
  • Do you believe that I am paying the right amount in taxes?