Tips For Hiring A CPA Accountant

By Jeffrey King


Accountants can be found almost everywhere. They can be found in schools, hotels, business premises, government offices and third party accounting firms among other places. They offer an important service, that of accounting for resources and preparing financial statements and records. When looking to hire a CPA accountant, there are a number of things that you need to consider.

CPA's is simply certified public accountants. They can be hired to work as in-house accountants for organizations, or they can practice on their own. Experienced accountants normally form their own firms and offer services to the public as freelance contractors. When you need accounting services, you will have to consider all your needs to ensure you make the right decision.

Hiring an in-house CPA when you run a small business does not make financial sense because it would be incredibly costly for you to maintain their services. Ideally, you should outsource the accounting service to third party accounting firms. This will save you money and ensure the job gets done properly.

In addition to preparing and maintaining books of accounts, accountants also prepare financial statements, such as balance sheets, income statements, profit/loss accounts and many other types of financial documents. They also prepare tax returns for clients. When called upon, they can also work as external or internal auditors.

Certification and licensing are the two most important things to look at when shortlisting service providers. You want to work with certified accountants because they have met all the legal and professional requirements, so they are in a position to competently offer accounting services. When you hire a certified professional, you reduce your chances of getting error-filled work. Be sure to also hire a service provider who is certified by international accounting bodies because you want to be served by someone who is well-versed with both local and international accounting standards.

The number of years an accounting professional has been practicing is a key factor to consider. You want the most experienced CPA to offer the services you need. For this reason, you should check not only the years of experience, but also the number of jobs they have handled in the past. The types of clients that a CPA currently handles also matters a great deal. It would not make sense to hire an accountant who specializes in corporate and business taxes to do your personal tax returns.

Accountants are usually busy almost throughout the year. Therefore, it is always necessary to check the availability of a CPA before hiring them. After all, you do not want delays. Be sure to also read reviews and testimonials to learn about the reputation of a CPA before shortlisting them.

Since accounting errors can have far-reaching consequences, be sure to hire a CPA who is properly insured. If an error in your tax returns is taken as tax evasion, the insurance company of the CPA should be able to compensate you for whatever injuries you may suffer. Remember to also check the fee structure of a CPA and compare the rates charged to what other accounting firms are charging. This will help you to identify the most affordable accounting provider.




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