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Hints for Choosing an Accountant
Attention all entrepreneurs! Are the bills piling up? Do you know if youre in the red or the black? Are there receipts falling from your desk and onto the floor? If this sounds like you, then you should seriously consider finding a good Cincinnati CPA . But, how do you go about finding one you can trust? Even in a place like Cincinnati, for example, just flip through the yellow pages and under the heading of Cincinnati accountants you'll likely find hundreds of accountants with no way of knowing who's worth calling, and who's not. So, here's a handy guide to locating and choosing a good accountant.
Here's How:
1. Build a referral list: Identify at least five accountants by contacting your financial planner, banker, insurance agent, and industry association. Ask other business people about their accountants. Find out who they use and if they are happy with the services their accountant provides. If you don't get any worthy referrals in this manner, use the phone book and choose several accounting firms. During the initial call, ask for an accountant who specializes in small businesses. An accountant that usually handles larger companies will not give you the individualized attention and help you require. Use this information to edit your list of prospective accountants.
2. Prepare your questions: Call the accountants on your list and briefly discuss their services. Find out the size of the company, their experience in your industry and qualifications. Request information about their billing policies and fees. Make sure your accountant has the appropriate qualifications"for example as a certified or chartered accountant. Keep in mind that an accountant should be more than a simple tax preparer. You need their advice and guidance in steering your business now and in the upcoming year. Use this first contact information to choose two or three accountants to interview in person.
3. Personal interviews: When you first meet a prospective accountant, you will know soon enough if you see eye-to-eye. It is important to develop a close relationship and know that your finances are being handled by someone you can rely on. There's nothing like a face-to-face meeting for gauging how well you might work with another person. In addition to evaluating the accountant's knowledge, see how comfortable you are with them and how well the two of you communicate with each other. Find out if they will handle your account personally or if it is handled by an employee. Discuss what other services the accountant provides. Ask to speak to existing clients before signing up. Any respectable accounting firm should be happy to arrange this. You should contact at least three accountants in person and settle on which one best meets your requirements.
4. Final selection: Base your selection on the best answers to your questions and the fact that they offer additional services to provide as your business grows or meet upcoming challenges. Determine if they are approachable yet professional. For small businesses, the most successful accounting firms are also likely to be smaller in size. They will understand what it takes to manage a small operation and will have the resources and time you require to run your finances effectively. Make sure your accountant will keep in touch with your business"not just at year end.
Of all the advisers you are likely to encounter when running a small business, a first-rate accountant is perhaps the most valuable one to have. After all, an accountant isn't just a tax preparer"they can help you build a blueprint for the future of your company. Having your accounts in order and being timely with payments will allow you to concentrate on building the business.
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