How do you find an accountant for your small business?

Question

1 - What are the most important traits you look for in an accountant?

2 - Where are the best places to look for an accountant?

3 - What do you usually have the accountant do for you?

Thanks

Answer 1

1 - What are the most important traits you look for in an accountant?

a. Minimum of 5 years experience handling clients similar to my business

b. Minimum of 5 years of experience doing income taxes and the other types of tax returns in my geographical area (payroll, sales & use, property, city business)

c. Minimum of 2 years managing a business similar to my business

d. Minimum of 3 excellent references

e. High level of professionalism (returns phone calls and emails promptly, clean and organized appearance, communicates clearly, integrity and honesty)

f. Solid training and licensing (minimum B.S. in Accounting and E.A. license, continuing education and tax refresher courses completed annually)

g. Computer savvy

2 - Where are the best places to look for an accountant?

Joining networking events or clubs attended by business owners or professionals in the same line of work and asking them if they can highly recommend an accountant

3 - What do you usually have the accountant do for you?

Income taxes, tax planning, financial projections, letters and certifications for banks or other companies, and business advisory.

Note: Based on my needs (answer #3) I do not need a CPA.  This is generally the case for most small businesses.  CPA's have gone through years of auditing and corporate accounting clients, but do not necessarily make the best tax preparers or understand the needs or issues small businesses face.  Outside of a good accountant, a small business owner needs a well seasoned business advisor or mentor that has experience operating or working with similar businesses.  This advisor/mentor should be found as mentioned in answer #2.

Good luck!