| For small businesses the roles of their business | | | | Again, this is someone you can hire as a permanent |
| accountants depend, more often than not, on the size | | | | part of your operation - although it may more effective |
| of their company. In the case of a very small | | | | to engage their services at the recommendation of |
| company, the small business accountant may handle | | | | your small business accountant. |
| everything: payroll, internal auditing, taxes, keeping the | | | | Small business accountants who are involved in payroll |
| books up to date, etc. In the case of a larger company | | | | related areas would, in addition to oversight of all things |
| these important tasks and functions will be broken | | | | related to payroll tax management, withholding, and |
| down between groups of internal personnel or handled | | | | reporting. This is usually handled through bookkeeping |
| through outside small business accountants and their | | | | or payroll specialists who are not necessarily |
| firms. | | | | accountants, however it is up to your small business |
| Some examples of internal accounting related | | | | accountant to be on top of their work. |
| functions would be the internal auditors who are | | | | Your small business accountants know your business, |
| responsible for monitoring and record keeping of cash | | | | understand financial management and are up to date |
| in-flow and expenses in a company. Needless to say | | | | on ways to maximize profits. Their involvement in your |
| this is for companies that are probably much larger | | | | business provides you with every opportunity to make |
| than yours. The good news is that small business | | | | every dollar coming in to the business as valuable as it |
| accountants often have colleagues or contemporaries | | | | possibly can be. |
| - people they know and trust, that they will | | | | While it takes some effort on your part to make a |
| recommend on a project by project basis. | | | | relationship with your business accountant pay off |
| Either internally or externally - perhaps a referral from | | | | consistently for your business, the investment of time |
| your small business accountant, someone can be | | | | and money can reward you in many many ways. |
| found who would be responsible to make sure that | | | | When it comes to engaging the services of any |
| money was being appropriately used and all monies | | | | professional, not just small business accountants - you |
| were accounted for. This may be an experienced | | | | have 100% of the power to define the relationship and |
| bookkeeper on your payroll, a bookkeeping service, or | | | | if it is not working for you, to discontinue it. |
| an outside small business accountant who works | | | | You can and should make them accountable to you |
| through your accountant. | | | | for the actions they take on your behalf. You certainly |
| Tax accountants, a specialty unto themselves - would | | | | should give them as much authority and responsibility |
| be responsible for compliance matters such as the | | | | as they earn, based on their continuing track record. |
| filing of your taxes. In addition they should be | | | | But remember, small business accountants do not |
| knowledgeable regarding all the legal ramifications, | | | | have to write the check. That's your responsibility. |
| strategies, record keeping, etc that go along with it. | | | | |