A great accountant can be difficult to find.

A great accountant can keep your records organized, file your taxes and handle any financial concerns you have. However, finding a great accountant can be hard given the number of financial services available.

That’s why we’ve outlined the steps you should take to ensure the accountant you use is reliable.

Request Referrals

The first step that you should take before hiring an accountant is to request referrals. These referrals can come from your immediate network of colleagues, friends or business connections that use accountants to handle their finances.

When asking for referrals it’s recommended that you ask exactly how satisfied they are with the services provided and cross-reference it with reviews written online. If you are not able to get a good referral from a colleague be sure to check online for reputable firms and read up on the feedback written about them to get as much information on how your experience will be working with them.

Determine Requirements

Before searching for an accountant, you will need to determine what types of services you’ll need them to handle for you.

To do this, be sure to take the time to narrow down the type of services you need like bookkeeping, tax preparation, filing, management or auditing. Knowing what you’ll need can impact how you find an accountant’s services as some may not be qualified in what you are looking for.

Failing to recognize the scope of work you’d like completed can cause frustration in the future if the firm you choose is not capable of handling your requests.

Discuss their Services

Once you have established the types of services you would like completed, it’s recommended to have a conversation with the firm or accountant themselves about it.

This conversation is also a good way for you to gauge the professionalism of the firm and if it is a place you feel comfortable handling your finances. It is a good idea to prepare any questions or concerns you may have about working with them.

Be sure to discuss their experience handling similar accounts, qualifications, rates, and any services that they specialize in. Keep in mind that all firms charge differently for billing. For example, certain firms may charge clients for over the phone advice, in-person meetings, emails and more which is why it’s best to confirm prior to working with them.

If a firm is not being transparent with their rates or services it is best to move on as reputable businesses will be open with what they provide.

Ensure Accessibility

A great accountant should make themselves easily accessible to their clients which is why you should ensure that the accountant you are working with can be easily reached. Being accessible also means that the firm is closely located to your home or workplace in case you need to get to the office in person. Plus, an accessible firm is one that is prompt with their responses, appointment times and inquiries.

After all, if you are entrusting your finances with the firm you will want access to information easily and quickly. Otherwise, if an accountant is hard to get ahold of then it is advised to continue on your search as your service will likely suffer as a result.

Ultimately, finding a great accountant can take time, patience and research. However, with the right knowledge and tactics in place you too can find a reputable accountant. If you would like more advice on where to look for one in your area get in touch with a member of our team.

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