Top Five Things To Look For When Hiring A Certified Personal Accountant

Excellent bookkeeping, smart tax filing, and accurate financial statements are all paramount to a business’ bottom line, and one of the most efficient ways of achieving cohesive financial management is by hiring a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

While accountants will ensure you, or your business is legally compliant with financial policy, a CPA is licensed by a state and is more familiar with tax laws. Besides, a CPA can provide ‘assurance of certification’ and can even represent you before the IRS; something an accountant can’t do.

With the ability to help you save on your personal and corporate taxes, a CPA also offers sound advice and guidance on potential business decisions based on facts and figures, allowing business owners and individuals to stay focused on what matters to them.

For prudent financial management, one of the smartest things you can do is hire a CPA. However, picking one from the slew of options may not be easy. To help simplify the process, here’s a list of the top five things to look for when hiring a Certified Public Accountant.

1. Education.

It is essential that the CPA takes Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses to enable them to remain updated on the latest taxing laws and mandates due to their periodical changes. These examinations qualify them to help you out with all your tax and accounting requirements.

2. Qualifications.

One of the most significant factors while assessing the abilities of a CPA would be their educational qualifications. A higher level of education generally signifies a higher level of knowledge.

3. Experience.

It is essential that you find a CPA who has experience in taxes and accounting so that they will be reliable in helping you out with your financial assessments. It’s a bonus if they’ve worked with companies in similar market sectors to yours because that will give them a better understanding of the unique needs of your industry.

4. Location.

While selecting a CPA, ask yourself how easy it would be for you to set up meetings with them and where you could meet. Or would it be feasible to drive a distance to get your taxes and accounting done? Having someone within the radius of your business will save you commute time and should there be an emergency you can reach your CPA with little to no trouble.

5. Personality.

When one thinks of a Certified Personal Accountant, the stereotypical image that comes to mind is that of a shy, quiet, conservative person. While this might be true for a select few, a successful CPA is one who is reliable, assiduous, logical, and comfortable in communicating with a diverse set of people. They should be able to explain taxes and accounting in simple layman terms making it comprehensible for a non-accountant individual.

If you’re looking for a reliable, dedicated, trustworthy Certified Personal Accountant in Sugar Land, Katy, Brookshire, Rosenberg, and Bellaire, Texas, reach out to Terry Barker, CPA. We have over twenty-nine years of experience, and we will assist you in achieving your personal and business financial goals, as well as organize your accounts and taxes. With the belief that accounting processes should adhere to the client’s requirements, we strive to provide superior accounting services that build our client’s trust and finances. To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here.