If you own a business and are bad at numbers, you may probably be thinking about hiring an accountant to manage your finances. Accountants can do more than just handle payroll and file taxes. They can help your business grow in every stage. However, for that to happen, you must recognize and hire the right one.
Understanding the steps to identify a qualified and worthy Lake Mary, FL CPA is the first step. There are millions of accountants in the United States. However, you can certainly narrow down your options using a few steps.
Steps to find the right accountant for your business
- Know what you want.
Before you set out to find an accountant, determine what your business needs and why you need the accountant for. Decide whether you want an internal or external accountant. If you are a small business, you may be better off with an external accountant because of the low volume of financial transactions. If your business transactions are large and complicated, hiring in-house accountants can help.
- Research about their reputation.
Researching one’s reputation is important before hiring anyone, and not just when it comes to accountants. Online reviews are the best way to find what people are saying about a certain firm. After all, you will be handing over your company’s intimate details to the person. You want to make sure that they come from a reputable and successful firm.
- Find out if they have experience with your industry.
Unfortunately, finding a reputable accountant in Lake Mary, FL, is not enough. You must see if they are familiar with the type of business you have and have worked in the industry before. You want an accountant familiar with the specific industry’s unique issues and needs. Otherwise, they may give you advice that may not best suit your business.
- Prepare for the interviews.
After you have shortlisted a few names, you must schedule an interview with them. You cannot trust someone based on what you hear from other people or read on the internet. List down a number of questions you would like to ask them to gather some background information. To see if they are not lying to you, you may gather this information beforehand. Conducting background checks is the best way to weed out problematic candidates.
- Ask them how you will be billed.
After you are done with the interview and have narrowed down your options, you will want to know the payment procedure and plans. If you cannot afford their services, there is no benefit in hiring them. Some accountants charge by the hour, while others have rates per service. Determine which option you want and move ahead accordingly.
