Finding the right accountant can be a huge benefit to your business, but did you know that every accountant has different qualifications, experience, and specialties?

That’s why finding an accountant who is the right fit for your business is not something to be taken lightly – in fact, it’s one of the most important business decisions you can make. 

Here are three expert tips that will help you choose an accountant who is qualified to meet your individual needs. 

1. Determine Your Business Needs

Firstly, think about what aspects of your business can benefit from a professional accountant before you hire one. 

Ask yourself if the accountant you hire will provide full-time bookkeeping, or if you only need reviews on a monthly or quarterly basis. 

If you need an accountant to manage your tax returns, give you advice, or audit your financial statements, you’ll need a CPA (certified public accountant).

2. Search for the Best Accountants

When looking for an accountant, ask for recommendations from other business owners, look for social proof of good service from reviews on Google and social media, and compare fees so you can estimate your budget.

Hiring an accountant is one of the most important financial decisions you can make for your business, so finding an accountant with Vetted Accountants or other similar services is recommended. These online services have complied databases of qualified accountants in your area, and you can find a match based on your business’ needs. 

3. Conduct Interviews 

After you’ve compiled a shortlist of suitable candidates and narrowed the list down, conduct interviews with three of them. There are four questions you should focus on during the interview.

Experience

It’s important to choose an accountant who is the best fit for your business so that you are empowered to make the best financial decisions. 

During the interview, ask about the accountant’s experience with businesses similar to yours in size and industry, and ask if they have the experience to support the planning and growth of your business.

Technology

Ask the accountant if they use cloud technology – this is important to ensure that your data is backed up and that you have access to it at all times. 

Ask what accounting software the accountant uses. This is important because the accountant will teach you how to use the software and set up your initial chart of accounts. 

Bear in mind that you also want to invest in accounting software that is user-friendly, reasonably priced, and will accommodate your business needs in the long term.   

Frequency

Discuss how often you will need reports and how often you expect the accountant to communicate with you – if you want someone who will be available when emergencies arise and who will be able to offer advice continuously, be upfront about your expectations so that you can choose an accountant who meets your needs. 

Billing Structure

Before selecting your accountant, it’s important to discuss how you will be billed for their services. Billing structures differ between accountants, so you need to know exactly what to expect. 

Some accountants have flat rates, some charge by the hour and others have a billing structure that is a combination of both. Ask about any extra charges that you may be unaware of so that you don’t get blindsided by a huge bill later.