5 Qualities to Look for in Your Accountant

Whether you are a small business owner, freelance worker, or a contractor, you must know how to hire a firm of specialist tax accounting firm that you can depend on to assist with your financials from the basics to your taxes. When looking for an accountant there are a few qualities you want to look for to find a firm who can provide the services specific to your unique business. Here are the five of the most important qualities you want in an accountant:

Proper Certification:

This might seem obvious but there are a lot of people out there who starts their conversations off with “So, who does your taxes?” You want to find a certified accountant who has undergone the proper education that will provide them with the tools and knowledge required to not only provides you with effective accounting services but who also understands the laws surrounding your business. Make sure you are dealing with someone who has the education required to be practicing as an accountant in the US.

Expertise in Your Industry:

Don’t make the mistake of thinking all accountants are created equally. You want to look for someone who specializes in your industry. This is especially true if you are a small business owner, contractor or freelance worker as they will know what to look for when working on your taxes and use specialty software that is designed to keep track of the things that are important to your specific needs.

Company Size:

As a small business owner you don’t want an accounting firm that is four times larger than your company. Look for an accounting firm that is on a smaller scale so you can get the personalized service that will work better for you as a small business owner or freelance worker. They will know more about running a smaller business and also be more available with someone you can work with one on one when you need them.

Compatibility:

A lot of people picture accountants as a bunch of stuffed shirts lacking personality. Accountants are just as diverse as any other industry and finding someone you feel comfortable dealing with and trust is very important. Remember you will be sharing your most important information with your accountant and so you want to be certain it is someone you feel is honest and approachable. You don’t want to work with someone who makes you feel intimidated and therefore makes it hard for you to ask important questions. An accountant is like a partner and needs to encourage you to want to ask questions so you always feel the decisions being made are best for your business.

Reputation:

As with any other service you want someone with a good reputation. Ask around and see if you can find someone that comes highly recommended.

These are five of the most important qualities to look for when seeking an accountant, who will prove to be a valuable contributor to your company’s success.