5 Things You Should Do Before Hiring an Accountant
Check out their reviews
Across any industry, reviews are the most telling answer to how a company treats its clients. It is a vital first step in determining which firm you will want to reach out to.
Set a meet and greet with the potential firm
Once you have evaluated their website’s information and gone through their reviews, the next step is to set up a meet and greet with a firm. At Cooper CPA Group we give clients a free meet and greet with our Director of Practice Management. During this meeting, he covers any of your questions as well as tells you more about our firm and process so you can determine if we would be a good match for you.
Clearly define your expectations and the services you need before the meeting
It is important that you clearly define your expectations before the meeting, so you know if their offerings, customer service, and any other defining factors meet your hopes.
Find out if their size and capabilities match your expectations
If you end up at too large of a CPA firm, you may get stuck with an assistant accountant that does not have the knowledge you were expecting to oversee your work. Make sure you ask who will be handling your account.
Determine if they are a tax consultant or a tax processor
A tax processor will take your information, throw it in their software, and give you a tax return to sign. While a tax consultant is going to look at your information and help dig through your financial life to help you minimize your taxes. It is important to find a firm that falls on the tax consultant side as they will be your financial partner rather than just another number.