As a small business owner, one very important decision to make is hiring an accountant but many business owners, especially new business owners may not know how to hire an accountant. Having a professional bookkeeper can help a small business record all of their financial information accurately. Finding an accountant for small business, one who truly specializes in small business, can be tricky, but there are some surefire ways to be certain that the accountant you hire is the right one for you.
Start off by asking for referrals.
Your colleagues and business partners are the best gauge of whether an accountant is any good and can give you an idea of the services they offer and an approximation of what their fees are. Once you have some candidates in mind, it’s time to make some phone calls to see who will offer the best tax preparation services for you.
Think about which tax services you want. Most accountants will offer standard tax services … annual and quarterly filings … but if you are looking for more services, like bookkeeping, financial statements and auditing, say so up front so you can weed out any candidates who don’t offer the tax services you need.
Ask about their experience Many accountants only handle personal preparation or certain types of corporations. If you’re wondering how to hire an accountant, it’s important to know what their experience is related to small business taxes. You want to be sure they are the right fit for you and your business.
Negotiate FeesAn accountant for small business may have set fees or charge on a scale depending on the size of your business, or even by the hour. Set the fees up front so there are no hidden surprises when the tax preparation is actually done.
When you do bring your accountant on board, make the most of the relationship. Set regular meetings, and stick to a schedule. Even if it’s just a monthly phone check-in, make sure to keep them apprised of what’s happening with your business financially. You should also take care to be a good client. Keep record of the details of your expenses, and be able to explain them. You shouldn’t hand your accountant a shoebox full of receipts at the end of the year and expect them to make sense of it. When you and your accountant work well together, you can be sure that you are getting everything you should from the relationship for your business. Before you research how to hire an accountant, make sure you consider all of these factors. Find more on this topic here.
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