Accounting is one of those things you can’t take for granted in business. Without great financial records, it’s easy to make financial mistakes and get your company in trouble.
Luckily, there are many great accounting companies available to help. But with over 95,000 options, it isn’t always easy to find the best one.
That’s why choosing an accounting service isn’t a choice you should take lightly. Keep reading to learn the best way to find an accountant for your business.
Check for Accounting Credentials
Not just anyone can handle your business accounting needs. If you want to work as an accountant, you need to have the education to handle the job. For most people who work in the accounting field, that means getting a license.
The type of license you need will depend on your accounting role. Your provider should have a CPA at a bare minimum for basic accounting.
On the other hand, tax accountants need certification to handle business taxes. Look at what services you’ll buy from an accountant to determine what qualifications your provider needs. Once you have this information, access for proof that the people working on your account have the proper certifications.
Check Into the Fees
You can find accounting firms that charge fees at every end of the spectrum. Some firms target small businesses and don’t charge much money. Other accounting companies charge a premium and only work with large organizations.
Get your budget straight before you start talking to accounting firms. Once you do, start getting pricing from your choices for accountants.
If you need help finding accountants that charge fees in your price range, reach out to other companies that are a similar size to yours. Once you do, you can find a firm that offers enough value to be worth the price they charge.
Just don’t look for the cheapest accountant when comparing accountant fees. You want quality work, not someone who will cut corners to save on price.
Ask About Availability
Some accountants handle their clients’ work and move on to the next client once done. They don’t give much thought to their customers unless they have work to take care of. While this isn’t an issue in most cases, it can cause a problem if you have an emergency and need help.
Take taxes, for instance. You only need to deal with it a few times a year. However, you can get audited and need help dealing with the problem.
You need to count on your accountant during those times. Check with your accountant to see their availability during the year. You want someone that will be around to help during emergencies.
Look at Example Reports
A great accountant can do much more than provide simple income and expense reports. While these reports are great, they only offer you so much insight into your business. If you want more data for decision-making, you’ll need better financial statements.
Ask your accounting options what reports you can expect to receive with their services. You can get income forecasts, expense reduction options, tax predictions, and financial trends.
All of this is information you can use to make better financial decisions. Get a few examples of those reports to see how your business can benefit from the data.
Consider Your Needs
If you’re a small business, you may be able to get away with simple accounting services. All you need is accurate books, so you don’t need to deal with more complex accounting functions.
However, accounting gets more complicated in a larger business. You need to deal with complex taxes, payroll, and countless customer and vendor payments.
Each of those things needs unique expertise. Before hiring an accounting service, make sure they have a history of handling work similar to yours. Check an accountant’s services list before you talk with them to not waste time interviewing people without the skill for the job.
Look for Experience in Your Industry
The accounting rules aren’t the same in every industry. In lightly-regulated industries, you have a set of basic rules to follow. Any regular accounting service will be able to meet your needs.
The same isn’t true for highly-regulated industries. There are unique sets of rules that the government lays out. If you don’t follow those rules, you’ll get in trouble.
Whether you need someone with basic business accounting experience or accounting for lawyers, ensure the service you hire has the relevant experience. You should be able to see that experience by visiting the website for an accounting service.
Verify References
Any excellent accounting service should have references and reviews that back up its services. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to find reviews for companies online. You’ll need to ask your accounting options for references to solve this problem.
Use your time talking to references to learn more about an accounting service’s process. See if you can learn about communication methods, customer service, and accuracy.
Be careful if you hear nothing but great things and zero downsides. Even if a company does excellent work, there may be an occasional issue. The key is how they deal with those issues and meet the customer’s needs.
Take the Process of Choosing an Accounting Service Seriously
You can’t afford to have bad books in business, so it makes sense to hire the most qualified accounting service you can. However, choosing an accounting service isn’t easy when you have many choices. Use the guide below to consider your options for accounting service and find the most qualified company for the job.
Head back to the blog to learn more tips that will help you find qualified help for your business.