5 TIPS TO HELP YOU FIND THE BEST ACCOUNTANT FOR YOUR BUSINESS
1. Strategise: Do you know what you need?
What kind of business accountant are you looking for? Do you need help with bookkeeping or are you looking for a long-term, collaborative partner who can assist in business planning?
Are you looking for someone to organise your financial records or file a tax return?
Accountants have a wide range of specialisations, making it imperative for you to give some forethought to the sorts of services you will require.
The amount of education makes little difference if your chosen accountant is not able to meet your demands or if they are unversed in the intricacies of your industry. Furthermore, a truly great accountant will be able to meet your current needs in addition to assisting you in preparing for a successful future. In order to find the best accountant, be certain that you know what services you prioritise before you begin your search.
2. Utilise your resources: Employ recommendations and social media
It comes as no surprise that truly great accountants are employed by a number of clients. Don’t underestimate the power of referrals to help you find a peerless accountant. If you take the time to receive input from other similar business owners, you can anticipate finding quality candidates. Pay attention to online reviews as well.
Invest in research on your potential candidates. Visit their social media, read online reviews, and browse their website.
Doing so will help you to understand their personality and how they do business with their other clients. Research will give you the opportunity to predict if your candidate will be a beneficial partner.
3. Upgrade what you ask: Know what questions are important.
After narrowing down a list of possible candidates, the next step is to begin interviewing your preferred accountants to make sure they will be a good fit for your company. It is imperative to pose the right questions. Our recommended queries include:
- What qualifications, services and specialties do they offer?
- What will you be paying for? Are there any hidden fees?
- Who, specifically, will be working with your company?
- What accessibility do they offer? Will they visit your business?
- Do they have available office hours or is all their work done over the telephone and internet?
- What general time frame does it take for them to complete their work?
- How will they collaborate with you to improve the future of your business?
- Are they highly experienced in your industry?
- Have they worked with a variety of business sizes?
Ask the right questions, find the right accountant.
4. Qualification Comparison: Understand what qualifications matter
Too often we see businesses employing the cheapest accountant they find, not realising that cost is a minuscule issue in the long run. The truth is anyone can refer to themselves as an accountant. It is necessary to understand and recognise qualifications that will identify great accountants and separate them from the rest.
Consider accountants that have the following qualifications:
- Hold an accredited degree
- Are an active member of an accounting body
Consider searching the databases of associations like CPA Australia, or the Institute of Public Accountants to ensure that your candidate is certified for public practice.
5. Be discerning: Don’t compromise on standards
Perhaps you like the first accountant you interview. Be that as it may, we recommend that you refrain from committing until you have interviewed several of your final candidates. Once you have done this, you can rest assured knowing that there is not likely to be a better option than the one you have chosen.
As you interview, pay attention to the questions your accounting candidate asks you. Do they appear to understand your desires and goals? Are they eager to be a part of your success?
Don’t settle for an accountant or an accounting firm that only sees you as a paycheck. The best accountants will seek to form a collaborative relationship with you so you both can grow and succeed.
The best accountant make a difference
Employing a professional accountant means that you can spend less time worrying about your financial reports and more time improving your business.
If you’re looking for a quality accountant to help you protect your assets, maximise your growth, and minimise your costs, consider our business accountants. We are an efficient, experienced and ethical accounting firm that seeks the success of our clients.
It takes only minutes to request a callback where we will go through your situation to see how we can help.
Where the success of your business is concerned, that doesn’t seem like much at all, does it?
Contact us through our website or ring us on 1300 135 918.
Learn more about our business accounting services and read more Alliance Accounting articles.
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