Characteristics of Exceptional Business Accountants

In a nutshell exceptional business accountant are welland who has a network - formal or informal, of
trained, experienced accountants who work well withbusiness accountant they regularly collaborate with.For
others.example bookkeepers, forensic accountants, fraud
For example, an accountant who is not a CPA yetaccountants and investigators, enrolled (IRS) agents,
who is willing to call in specialists whenever andetc.
wherever needed is more valuable to you and yourExceptional business accountants with a network of
business than a hot shot expert who suffers from theaccounting contemporaries, when they see a situation
NIH Syndrome (Not Invented Here) who is unwilling tooutside their areas of expertise, that needs attention -
admit to their limitations and actively seek advice fromcan pick up the phone and get the right people on the
others on your behalf.case. In addition their relationships with their peers will
Each an every person involved in the accountingoften result in free advice for you, since their
profession has their place. Some got very little taxrelationships are likely to be build on the regularly
planning specific education in college, so what theyexchange of information at no charge between them
know comes from real world experiences (theirs andand their accounting colleagues.
their contemporaries) along with their continuingAnd just as importantly, exceptional business
education studies.accountants have working relationships with parallel
They spend their careers certifying balance sheets,professionals, individuals and organizations whose
P&L statements, and dealing with various taxservices are often required along with theirs - in order
compliance issues. As a business owner you knowfor your to receive the maximum benefits from your
this is a critical value your business accountants bringaccountant's knowledge and expertise.
to the table, especially if you intend to seek outsideFor example Certified Financial Planners, Chartered
financing or you are dealing with an audit.Life Underwriters, Benefit Consultants, Estate Planning
Some business accountants focused on tax planningAttorneys, Pension Actuaries, etc. provide products
courses in college and continue to expand their taxand services that often dovetail with your business
planning education through their continuing education -accountant's advice. When your business accountant
because planning is what interests them. Tax planningknows, likes, and trusts professionals in these and
gets them excited and they devote themselves toother areas you are the beneficiary on many levels.
continually tweaking their knowledge in this everPerhaps most importantly they have a history of
changing field.working together for their client's benefit making you
Once these business accountants get into theirpart of a successful and profitable (for everyone)
practice they are able to expand the practicalprocess.
applications of these strategies and tactics on theBusiness accountants who are part of a mastermind
ground - helping real business owners make realgroup that includes these and other parallel
planing decisions that result in real profits for theirprofessionals expand their own understanding of
clients.what's possible, pick up knowledge and insights of
Should you look for a small business accountantvalue to you, and become an even more valuable
whose strength is compliance? Someone who knowsasset for your business.
how to get you out of trouble, papers over yourThe number one characteristic of your exceptional
mistakes, and can keep you from being the subject ofsmall business accountant is that they are someone
annual IRS audits. Or someone you call before youyou can talk to. Someone willing to listen, is interested in
make major decisions or acquisitions? A smallyou as a person as well as a business owner, and
business accountant whose insights will keep youactively reaches out to other professionals - business
focused down the road so you're decisions areaccountants of all sorts as well as parallel
leveraged in your favor every time.professionals on their clients' behalf.
Simple. The business accountant you should have isBusiness accounts please note. People won't care
someone you like and trust, who recognizes theirhow much you know until they know how much you
limitations, understands the value of other perspectives,care and are interested in them!