Choosing An Accountant For Your Business: What To Look For When Hiring An Accountant

If you want to know how to pick a good accountant, you’ve come to the right place. Read below to learn what to look for when hiring an accountant and everything you need to know about accounting department structure best practices.

Qualifications and Certifications To Look for in an Accounting Professional

When finding out how to get a good accountant, the first step to take is making sure all of your candidates have all of the necessary certifications. A certified public accountant (CPA) certification is the most necessary, but all of the following additional certifications are on the list of what to look for in an accountant for small business finances:

Certified Internal Auditor
Certified Information Systems Auditor
Certified Financial Analyst
Certified Fraud Examiner
Chartered Global Management Accountant

Your accountant doesn’t need these certifications in the same way that they need to be certified as a CPA. However, additional credentials can help you determine how much experience a candidate has and how well they can handle your specific needs.

Understanding and Determining Your Business’s Needs

What to look for when hiring an accountant depends on your business’s specific needs. For example, the organizational structure of your company can influence what to look for when hiring an accountant to handle your finances. Why is this?

In short, different types of companies (LLCs, S-Corps, etc.) have different tax obligations. A skilled CPA has the knowledge and experience to help you handle your finances regardless of your company’s structure, but certain CPAs may specialize in working with companies in your industry with your structure. For instance, if you are a real estate company set up as an LLC, this will influence the steps for how to pick a good accountant.

Should I Hire an Accountant Who Specializes in My Industry?

Hiring a specialized accountant can have a variety of major benefits for your business. If you hire a CPA who has extensive experience working with others in your industry, you can expect them to have some insight and tips for you that other accountants may not. However, specialized accountants sometimes have higher fees as well.

How To Know If An Accountant Is a Good Fit for Your Business

The right accountant should offer all of the services you need, from cash flow forecasting to finance consulting. Look for an accounting firm that has a wide range of services and is well-rounded enough to work with companies in the majority of key industries. TGG Accounting is an ideal option that offers everything from exit planning services to staffing and recruiting in addition to outsourced accounting.

Questions To Ask When Hiring an Accountant

When hiring an accountant, all of the following questions can help you determine whether they’re the right fit for you:

What roles can you play for my team? Explain the differences between the roles to me (controller vs. accountant, CFO vs. accountant, etc.)
What certifications do you have?
What experience do you have with other companies in my industry?
What are your fees?

Signs of a Good Accountant-Client Relationship

A good accountant-client relationship is characterized by trust, transparency, boundaries, and results. Your accountant should provide practical guidance and advice to help your business excel, but they shouldn’t overstep their responsibilities — especially if they are an outsourced resource rather than on your full-time staff.

Our Best Tips for Choosing an Accountant

Follow these tips to find the best accountant for your company:

Always choose a certified accountant. Experience speaks volumes, but a certification as a public accountant is essential for anyone you hire to handle your finances. The certification clarifies to you and your team that your accountant has the basic required credentials to legally and responsibly provide financial assistance.
Look for expertise in relevant areas. If your business has specific financial needs, look for an accountant who knows how to handle those needs with more than the average amount of expertise and experience. Any accountant can help you handle the basic obstacles and pitfalls of your industry, but a specialist can be immensely helpful when you need to zero in on something nuanced and industry-specific.
Look for an accountant who puts your profits at the top of their priority list. Your CPA should assess your financials and do whatever they can to add value to your business model. TGG aims to facilitate a 5-7% profitability increase for our clients.

How TGG Accounting Can Help

TGG Accounting is an ideal solution for any business’s financial needs. When you work with us, we’ll present you with a customized proposal designed to help you maximize your profits and returns. From there, we’ll work as your partner in growing and scaling your business, either as your full accounting team or an extension of your full-time staff.