Finding an accountant that’s right for you and your business can mean the difference between success and failure. A good accountant that has experience and knowledge in your particular industry goes far beyond crunching numbers.

An accountant can help you develop a business plan as well as a personal plan, offering advice on everything from future expansion to insurance with the knowledge they have about your particular business environment, tax situation and financial statements.  Tax planning and compliance is another essential function, as well as auditing and basic functions like accounting and record keeping.

Finding an accountant that’s a good fit may seem overwhelming, but one way to start is to get a referral from your banker, a business colleague or attorney. The Society of Certified Public Accountants is another good resource for obtaining a referral. Arguably the easiest method of all is to contact Good Accountants who can put you in touch with the very best accountants in your area – but keep in mind that you’ll still need to foster the relationship and make sure to choose the right accountant for your specific needs.

When you have an idea as to how much and what type of responsibilities the accountant will have, along with a list of those good candidates, the next step in finding an accountant is to conduct interviews to determine who the best fit is personality wise, as well as services offered and the fees that will be charged.

The best accountant should have a style that’s compatible with yours, and you’ll also want to make sure the person you’re meeting with is the same one who will be handling your business as some accounting firms may pass part or all of the work on to others.  Find out if the accountant offers the services you need him or her to handle, and whether or not they are experienced and highly knowledgeable in performing those tasks. Determine fees upfront and be sure to obtain quotes from several different accountants in addition to getting an idea of the estimated annual charges based on the services you’ve discussed.

While finding an accountant that’s right for you may take a little work, the rewards of a successful business are usually well-worth the effort – and you can get a jump start by contacting Good Accountants now.