CPA Relationship Evaluation Checklist

As businesses grow and change, it is necessary to re-evaluate your relationship with your Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from time-to-time and assess whether that CPA is the right match for your business. 

If your business has grown significantly since you hired your CPA, now might be a good time to look at that relationship. Here are questions to ask yourself and your CPA to better judge whether you are well-served and tips on how to find the right CPA if you discover that it is time for a change.

1. Research. Find out how many businesses your CPA firm works within your industry. Expertise in your industry indicates the depth of experience with the intricacies of your tax situation. 
2. Review Correspondence. Has your CPA firm reached out regularly to ensure accurate financials are being recorded throughout the year? Do they communicate in a way that works for your financial team?
3. Do Some Digging. Check with the CA State Board of Accountancy to ensure your CPA doesn’t have outstanding complaints against them (do this when looking for a new CPA firm, as well).
4. Assess Your Situation. Think about whether you need an Enrolled Agent (EA), a CPA or a tax lawyer. Determine what combination of support best serves you if your tax situation is complex. 

Once you and your team have assessed your needs and current situation and if you decide it’s time to move on, here are some questions to ask potential CPA firms: 

1. How long have you been in business?
2. What are your specialties? 
3. Will you do the work, or do you outsource tax preparation?
4. What other services do you provide? Tax lawyers in-house, bookkeeping, financial guidance?
5. How much do you charge and is it negotiable?
6. How have you handled audits in the past?

TGG partners with CPAs to support our clients. Our year-end tax round-up gives the CPA firms we work with all of the financials they need for our shared clients in an organized way. Needless to say, we have some happy CPA partners. 

 Find out more about TGG and how we create clarity through excellence in financial reporting. Book 15 minutes with one of our experts and we will do a quick, complimentary overview of your company’s financial health!