| A tax accountant has been trained as an accountant | | | | retirement plan, employee benefit plan or other tax |
| and is able to inspect, prepare, and maintain financial | | | | related plans? Discuss your needs with potential firms |
| records for a business or individual. However a tax | | | | do research and find out what they have done for |
| accountants main focus is on preparing and maintaining | | | | other businesses. |
| tax information. | | | | · Does the firm or individual have a good |
| Tax accountants also advise businesses about the tax | | | | reputation? Ask for references, talk to friends and |
| advantages and disadvantages of certain business | | | | business associates, taxes and finances are a major |
| decisions. Accountants must have skills in math and | | | | aspect of your business or individual needs and you |
| using the computer because computers are often | | | | want to make sure you get someone who can handle |
| used to make graphs, reports and summaries. Nearly | | | | your situation. |
| all companies require that a tax accountant have at | | | | · Is the individual or firm qualified? Make sure |
| least a bachelor's degree in accounting, and many | | | | they have liability insurance and a supervisory body |
| even require a master's degree level of education. | | | | you can file complaints with. Make sure they are |
| Almost all businesses and many individuals would | | | | CPA's or Certified Public Accountants, which means |
| greatly benefit from having a regular tax accountant. | | | | they have vowed to adhere to certain standards. Find |
| So how do you choose the right tax accountant for | | | | out if they are members of the American Institute of |
| you or your business? Here are a few questions that | | | | Certified Public Accountants or the New York State |
| may help you make the decision: | | | | Society of CPA's. If they are it means that they have |
| · Is one-on-one contact important to me or my | | | | had continuing education in their field and must undergo |
| business? In this case look for a smaller firm. Or is a | | | | peer reviews. |
| team of professionals better suited for my needs? If | | | | · Do they bring a proactive approach to your |
| this is the case look for a larger firm. | | | | financial situation? Do they understand your goals and |
| · Will I need advice in many different expertise | | | | provide ways to reach them? |
| areas? Or will I simply need someone to advise me in | | | | · What do they charge? Make sure that their |
| tax matters? If you are going to need help in a wide | | | | fees are competitive, shop around. If the price is much |
| variety of areas consider a team of accountants, or | | | | higher or much lower than other firms it may point to a |
| you make sure the firm you are considering has | | | | problem. |
| network ties to other firms that could handle things | | | | · Make sure the firm or office is open year |
| they can't. | | | | round and that you can get help whenever it is |
| · How complex are my needs? Do I need | | | | needed. There are some tax accountant firms that |
| someone just to handle tax returns and year-end | | | | close for part of the year. |
| financial summaries or do I need a financial plan, | | | | |