Five Ways Accounting Firms Can Help Your Small Business

accounting firms such as goodaccountants.com can help your small business Many business owners start out handling every aspect of their company, including its finances. While it may be manageable at the start, accounting firms can provide services that will allow you to set your business up for a successful future. Here is a look at just five of the ways that using accounting firms can help you get your business off on the right foot.

Business setup

Just a few of the services provided can include financial advice for your corporate setup, with long and short term financial strategies. Most firms can help you to set up appropriate accounting software as well as the implementation and training.

An accountant can help a small business owner to determine the type of appropriate business structure and assist with setting up taxation, registration and filing corporate tax returns as well.

General bookkeeping services

If you don’t plan to have a full-charge bookkeeper on staff, handling the books is probably not something you want to spend your time doing when you should be out networking and growing your business. This is another service that can be provided including the management of payables and receivables, maintaining the business’ financial records and taking care of financial reports for banks and investors.

Payroll

Payroll is a very time consuming task that can be handled by the use of accounting firms. They can take care of payroll management as well as payroll preparation and payroll tax reporting in addition to setting up a direct deposit system.

Tax planning

Business taxes are another complicated but necessary aspect of a business. An especially valuable service that can be provided is the help with standard tax reporting in addition to general planning advice that can help a business owner to maximize business tax deductions that will save you money over time – often much more than the expense of the service itself.

Networking

One of the keys to growing a successful business is by connecting with others throughout your local community. By employing the services of accounting firms such as the accountants and firms provided by GoodAccountants.com, you’ll find that you are set up with a highly qualified, experienced accountant who is a pillar of the local community. Professionals who’ve lived in an area for several years or more can often be an invaluable source of business and financing contacts as well as a wide variety of other local connections.

The Benefits of Accounting Firms and How to Find the Right One

finding a good accounting firm is crucial for your businessIf you’re the owner of a business, you may have started out thinking that you could handle the financial side of things on your own, as many entrepreneurs have done. In the beginning, keeping track of the books is fairly simple but as your company grows, trying to run your business while being responsible for taking care of taxes and accounts can quickly become overwhelming, even with accounting software. This is the point where accounting firms can become a crucial part of the success of your business.

With so many accounting firms out there, how do you choose?

First, you’ll need to make a list of the services you plan to use and narrow down your choices to those firms that provide those benefits. Some of the services offered by many include:

  • Basic accounting services including the management of payables and receivables as well as financial reports for banks, investors or internal use.
  • Payroll management as well as payroll preparation and payroll tax reporting.
  • Tax Services, including preparing and filing federal, state and local tax returns. Most accounting firms will also work with you through the year to help minimize your tax burden.
  • If you don’t have a full-charge bookkeeper on staff, the firm should also be able to provide those services for you including maintaining a general journal, reconciling bank statements and analyzing receivables and payables.
  • Many firms will help your business set up appropriate accounting software including implementation and training and provide help if there are issues or questions come up in regard to its use.
  • If your business is audited, the firm can be a huge help in making sure that your financial statements are accurate and complete.

Once you’ve decided which services your business will need, start prioritizing the list from most critical to the least critical. Next, you’ll need to compile a list of accounting firms. You might check the yellow pages, search online, but the best option is a good reference from, family or colleagues who are already using a firm and are happy with the services received.

Look for a firm that specializes in your size of business, with experience in your industry, and is not only reasonably priced, but is able to provide useful advice as well as all of the critical services you need. It’s important that you can trust the firm and can build a long term relationship with the accountant you’ll be working with. Remember to thoroughly check their client references, and don’t commit to a long relationship until you feel comfortable that the firm will be reliable and provide the services your business really needs.