| It takes enormous amounts of time and effort to get | | | | - How much interaction will you have with your CPA? |
| organized and accurately keep track of your finances. | | | | If the meetings are much spaced out, how much |
| To eliminate this pain, hire a Certified Public Accountant | | | | attention will the CPA pay to your company in the |
| (CPA). A CPA can help businesses organize their | | | | interim? |
| financial records, develop financial statements, file | | | | - Does your CPA firm guarantee its work? |
| taxes, and act as business advisors. This article is a | | | | - Has your CPA passed the exams to gain the CPA |
| guide to hiring a Certified Public Accountant. | | | | designation? Does she have the license to practice in |
| A CPA is a trained financial professional that helps | | | | your state? |
| individuals or businesses organize and keep track of | | | | - Is your CPA a member of professional organizations |
| their financial records. Besides tracking your finances, | | | | that ensure that their members follow a professional |
| developing financial statements and filing taxes, CPAs | | | | code of ethics and are regularly reviewed for quality? |
| can also act as business advisors. They can create | | | | Every country has such professional organizations. For |
| your budget plans, prepare cash flow projects, advice | | | | example in the US one such organization is American |
| on investments and help secure business financing. | | | | Institute of CPAs (AICPA). |
| Many businesses hire CPAs to only file their taxes. | | | | - Is it important for you to have regular face to face |
| CPAs are trained to complete tax returns. They can | | | | meetings with your CPA? If not then you may also |
| help you organize tax documents and maximize | | | | consider a non local CPA. There are many firms that |
| deductions. | | | | operate nationwide accounting services and may |
| How to hire a CPA? | | | | assign a non-local CPA to you. |
| Following is a list of things you need to keep in mind | | | | - Have you checked the references and made sure |
| while selecting a CPA. | | | | they are happy with the service? |
| - Is your CPA familiar with your industry and its | | | | How much does it cost to hire a CPA? |
| accounting standards? Ideally, she should have | | | | Accounting service can be expensive. Before you |
| experience working with clients in a business like yours. | | | | hire , compare price quote from multiple accounting |
| - Does your CPA have good relationships with banks? | | | | offices at a B2B Marketplace and shortlist a few to |
| If you are a growing business, your CPA may be able | | | | interview. Ask your business associates and friends |
| to help you secure funding. | | | | for recommendations. |
| - Does your CPA have relationships with attorneys? | | | | Many CPAs bill you hourly for rendering their service. If |
| Any business can fall on hard times. Your CPA may | | | | you are uncomfortable with the hourly rate, ask for a |
| be able to help you find an attorney to negotiate with | | | | fee based service. Before you sign on, ask for an |
| your creditors. | | | | engagement letter that details costs and services and |
| - How involved is the CPA going to be with your | | | | review it carefully so that there are no surprises later. |
| company? If most of the work is handled by junior | | | | For further information, please read our accounting |
| staff, make sure they are well supervised. | | | | services advice. |