Tag Archives: best accountant

How to Find an Accountant

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when it comes time to find an accountant think of goodaccountants.comIf you need to find an accountant for your business, searching the internet is a good place to start. After searching for a few minutes, you should have a general idea of the services offered and prices charged for accounting services. An internet search is also useful if you are not sure what specific services you need. With the many listings of accountants and services offered, you can decide your specific needs and then choose an accountant who can provide those services for your business. If you use a search engine to look for an accountant, you will find on the first search page many established firms that provide accounting services. Keep in mind that just because they are first in the search, they might not be best for your needs .Search thoroughly to see the full range of accountants available to you.

Specific Websites

Another way to find an accountant is to use a quotation website. These allow you to enter the services needed, and accountants registered through the site send you a quote. Of course you won’t want to just pick the lowest quote; you will need to inquire further before making a choice. You can also find accountants through your search, and view their websites. You can view the list of services they provide to see if they offer what your company needs. They often have references from former and current customers available for you to read. Many offer an option for submitting information about your needs, and then they will send you a quote for their rates on the requested services.

Online Registries

Another way to locate an accountant for your company is to go to an online registry of professional accountants. An accountant registry, such as Goodaccountants.com, can provide you with information on registered accountants that are available for full time, part time, long term and short term hiring. You tell them what you need, and they match you with accountants, accounting firms, and auditors. Their matching services are free. You can then narrow down the choices by contacting the ones you are most interested in. You should, by then, have established the criteria you are looking for so that you are able to ask questions as needed in order to make your final choice.

Sources Besides The Net

If you have exhausted your online search, but haven’t been able to make a final determination, there are several other ways to find an accountant. One way is to check the yellow pages of your local phone directory. Many accountants and accountant firms have ads posted in the yellow pages that provide a list of their services, as well as contact information. Many have websites that you may not have come across in your search. You can browse the websites of local accountants listed in the yellow pages. You can also contact colleagues and acquaintances to see which accounting firms they use. Although every business has different accounting needs, if a colleague is happy with the services of an accounting firm, the firm could be a good match for you as well.

Duties of a Business Accountant

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A Business accountant is a professional role filled with plentiful duties and busy days at the office.  The general basis of business accounting involves helping sole proprietors, companies and corporations carry out the financial dealings of their daily business transactions.  Although business accountants will help out greatly during tax season, their role is not only applicable during this time but throughout the year as well.

What Does a Business Accountant Do?

First and foremost, a Business accountant will keep a tally of all financial transactions which the business handles on a daily basis.  The accountant will record the transactions in order to have a concrete record for the company whenever they need it available to them.  This is especially helpful when it comes time to pay taxes on the business and can easily be retrieved due to the excellent record-keeping skills of the accountant within the business.

Also, your business accounting expert will let you know which purchases are best to make, which ones have tax benefits related to them and, overall, how to make the most of your money.  Your accountant in the business arena is your “go-to professional” when it comes to keeping track of spending and handling tax issues surrounding such expenditures.

Hiring a Business Accountant

You have a couple of options with regard to hiring an accountant for your business.  One option is to hire an accountant and keep them on staff as a full-time employee and another option is to utilize the services of an accountant for your company or corporation on a part-time basis.  When considering which option works best for you, look at your business accounting needs as well as your budget in order to make the best decision.  Some companies like to have their accountant present each and every day in order to help them make the best decisions while others are fine with having a part-time accounting professional on call where they can make use of their services on an as-needed basis.

Accountants in the business arena are extremely important professionals.  They help company officials to spend their company funds wisely, get the best tax benefits along the way and keep track of the income and expenditures which a company makes.  Depending on your accountant, the duties of the company accountant can be as few or as voluminous as you desire.  No matter what type of duties your accountant possesses, it is simply a good idea to ensure that you have a knowledgeable accounting professional on your staff in some capacity.

Prepare for Tax Season: Find an Accountant

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With tax season upon us, making sure that you have everything ready to be sent to the IRS can be nothing short of a headache.  Whether you are an individual looking to make the most of itemized deductions or the owner of a business, filling out tax forms beyond the traditional 1040 can get complicated very quickly.  The new year has brought a ton of changes to the tax laws, and navigating all of the loopholes and minute details by yourself can be tricky at best.  If tax season is more than you can or should handle alone, it might be time to find an accountant to do the hard work for you.

Making the Right Choice

If you own a business, it can be a bit tricky to find accountants who are well suited for the job.  Ideally, you will want to find a firm that has experience working with businesses similar to yours in size and nature.  The right experience means that you can feel confident that the firm you hire will be able to find all of the right deductions to help you pay only what is absolutely necessary in overall taxes.  You will find that the right team can work to review all of your statements and financial data to ensure that you are not paying more than needed.

Do I Need to Hire the Most Expensive Firm?

One thing that many business owners and individuals alike find themselves struggling with is whether or not it is necessary to choose the biggest or most expensive firm out there.  When you are trying to find an accountant, it is important to realize that size and cost are not the most important factors to consider.  Instead, look to the experience and reputation of the firms you are considering and determine which one will best fit your needs.

The Bottom Line

The most essential thing to consider when you are looking to find accountants is whether you are looking for long term or short term service.  Do you just want someone to take your paperwork and records and fill out your forms accurately, or do you want someone who can also provide tax or financial planning advice?  Do you want someone who can also provide auditing to help you reduce next year’s taxes?  Think about exactly what you hope to gain from your accountant, then work to find the individual or firm that best fits your needs.

How to Find a Good Accountant for Your Business

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find a good accountantAs a business owner, making sure that your numbers come out perfectly is essential.  While many start-ups work to manage their own numbers, this becomes increasingly harder as a business grows larger.  Eventually, the need to find good accountants becomes more of a necessity than a luxury.  When this happens, you need to know what to look for in order to ensure that you are getting the best service for your money.  Do you want someone to work in-house, or do you want to hire an offsite accounting service?  There are many questions to ask, and only after taking the time to think about them can you make the right decision.

In-House Versus Firms

There is really no right or wrong answer to this dilemma.  Hiring an accounting firm can ensure that you are only paying someone to deal with your numbers and taxes when they are needed.  If you manage meticulous records and keep everything properly arranged and organized, this can be an excellent strategy.  If, however, you do not have the time or skill necessary to keep everything balanced and properly organized at all times, or if you just need someone to stay on top of things regularly, the best way for you to find a good accountant might be to hire a professional to work for you on a regular basis.

What’s the Difference?

The biggest difference between individuals and firms is really in their overall capabilities.  When you want to find good accountants, you need to consider your specific needs.  If you are looking for financial statement preparation, analyses of your business practices and expenses, or tax return prep, a solid accounting firm can be an excellent choice.  If, on the other hand, you want someone to maintain accounts, manage daily transactions, manage payroll and assets, or manage bank reconciliations, an in-house accountant is definitely the better option.

Reputation Matters

Another thing you have to take into consideration when looking to find a good accountant is reputation.  The simple fact is that you want to read reviews or request recommendations before hiring a firm or an individual to take over your business finances.  You want to ensure that the firm or individual you are choosing not only has the education needed, but the skill and experience as well.  Cut corners and missed numbers can spell big trouble with balancing budgets and with the IRS, and knowing that you have hired the right person or team for the job can give you some much-needed peace of mind.

It’s Tax Season! Tips for Finding the Right Accountant for Your Business

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As a business owner, tax time is one of the most important times of the year.  Whether you own a small, medium, or large business, finding the right accountant for your needs is absolutely critical.  Tax laws change every single year, and the fact of the matter is that even the best accounting software cannot replace the benefits of having a knowledgeable tax expert review your expense and income sheets, look for deductions, and help you prevent audits.  The need to find an accountant who is experienced with businesses similar to yours is great, and it can offer a wide range of benefits.

Find Accountants Online for Great Results

The quest to find accountants who can get the job done right can be difficult if you decide to just start going through the phone book or asking around.  Even when you are asking other business owners to make a recommendation, you have to take into account the fact that the right person for one company may not be the right person for you.  Every business has unique needs when it comes to tax preparation and filing, and utilizing the web can offer you many benefits.

One thing that you will find when you opt to find an accountant online is that there are no chances that you will fall victim to sales pitches.  A fast talking accountant may well talk you into choosing the wrong expert for your needs or even signing up for services that you do not require.  If you already have a solid bookkeeper, all you likely need is someone with the tax expertise required to help you maximize deductions and ensure that everything is filed properly.  By searching online, you can easily look up reviews of the top candidates to find the expert who best meets your needs.

Get the Services You Really Need

Of course, many newer businesses find that tax time brings about a number of new stresses.  Without solid accounting throughout the year, payroll management, budget analysis, and other issues might quickly start to lag as you work to get your business running successfully.  Taking the time to find an accountant who can provide all of the services you need both at and beyond tax time can prove rather beneficial for many companies.  Finding the best provider requires a bit of hard work and research, but it is absolutely going to be well worth the effort.

The Best Advice Bookkeepers Can Give

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When you own a business, finding a bookkeeper who can help you stay on top of payroll, expenses, and income is crucial.  Managing your numbers helps you ensure that your company is maximizing its profit potential and makes it easy to share your financial data with lenders whenever they request a report, and it also ensures that tax time is as stress and hassle-free as possible.  Proper bookkeeping is a lifesaver in the event of an audit, and the simple fact is that it makes managing the day to day operations of your business much easier.  Taking advice offered by your bookkeeper can often pay off handsomely, and the right advice can be huge.

Finding a Bookkeeper You Can Rely On

If you were to ask most professional bookkeepers what one piece of advice they would most like to offer business owners, it would likely be to stress the importance of hiring an expert.  While turning over your financial records to a savvy individual may work well for a fledgling self-employment setup, new tax laws, taking on more employees, and increasing your business load can all quickly create a situation that is unmanageable.  Taking the time to find a bookkeeper at the start so that they are familiar with how your business works and how you are spending and making money can really keep everything running smoothly no matter what turns your business takes.

Managing your own payments and expenses can often lead to missed deductions, failure to create properly formatted reports for lending agencies, and even an increased risk of audits when tax season rolls around.  If you take the time to find a bookkeeper who has the experience and training necessary to handle your specific business situation, you will find that he or she can easily help you see where cuts or adjustments need to be made, as well as what areas of your business are proving the most (or least) cost effective.

The Right Expert Makes a Big Difference

No matter how you look at it, choosing the right bookkeeper for your needs is going to make a big difference for your company.  Trying to do it all on your own takes your focus off of your business.  If your company is small, you won’t need to employ someone on a full time basis in order to reap the benefits, but you should have someone who is qualified to handle your numbers for you.  A great bookkeeper is as essential as a solid business model, and it can really expand your overall bottom line.

Tax Preparation for 2012

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Tax season is something that many of us have come to dread.  Even if you are expecting a big refund in 2012, the simple fact is that every deduction, every entry, and every number you enter matters greatly.  Nobody wants to face a potential audit, and even the best tax preparation software can miss important entries.  There is simply nothing that compares to having a tax expert review all of your paperwork and information, and hiring someone who is familiar with the intricacies of IRS tax law can help you prevent errors, minimize taxes owed, and maximize refunds.

Getting Tax Help Is Crucial

Unless you are working with a single W-2 and are taking the standard deduction, the simple fact is that you can benefit greatly from seeking assistance with tax filing.  Every year, taxpayers miss millions in deductions and credits that they were fully qualified for, and this can mean the difference between paying taxes and getting a refund of taxes already paid.  A qualified tax expert can ask the questions that software programs often miss, letting you know what you really qualify for and how to ensure that you are at the lowest possible risk of being audited.

Of course, choosing a tax preparation expert isn’t as simple as going to your local chain tax company.  In fact, many people find that they get much more benefit by working with a qualified independent accountant.  In order to serve as a qualified tax expert, an accountant must attend classes on the latest IRS tax laws, and choosing someone with experience in cases similar to yours can leave you feeling fully confident that your deductions and credits will be maximized.  Whether you are self-employed, own your own business, or simply have multiple income sources, a tax professional can make a huge difference for you.

Getting It All Done Properly

Filing your taxes can be a huge stress; especially if you are uncertain how new tax law changes affect you.  Choosing a tax filing professional to take over the job will certainly help to alleviate this stress, and knowing that all of the numbers on your forms are right can eliminate worry over audits, missed deductions, or overpayment.  It may be tempting to save money by using tax software, but the simple fact is that when you sit down with someone who takes the time to understand your home, business, and tax situations, your chances of reaping maximum benefit increase exponentially.

Find an Accountant in Time for Tax Season

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Tax season is a common time of year when people start scrambling to find an accountant for assistance with their returns and finances.  Since there are a large number of accountants operating today, locating the best accountant for your needs may be a bit difficult.  To help you find an ideal professional, here are a few tips.

Ask Around:  Talk to people you know, and ask who they recommend for an accountant.  If you know someone who has a similar financial situation to your, start by asking who they use and if they are pleased with their services.

Use Caution:  Accountants who make promises of large refunds or offer to deduct every possible expense you have is probably not the best accountant for tax season.  Even though you hired a professional to prepare your return, you are the one who is responsible for what is filed.

Look at Enrolled Agents: Enrolled Agents (EAs) are a type of tax professional who has undergone in depth background checks by the IRS and has passed a strict test.  EAs often provide exceptional assistance for those who have very complex tax situations.

Find a Certified Public Accountant:  Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are licensed in the state in which they work, and have passed a difficult CPA examination.  Some CPAs specialize in particular areas, such as business taxes, general taxes, or audits, and are best at handling issues that may be somewhat complex.

Consider a Tax Attorney:  When looking to find an accountant, a tax attorney may be your better option.  Tax attorneys are legal representatives who specialize in tax law.  These attorneys often have a law degree in taxation (known as an LL.M.) and are required by law to hold a juris doctor degree (J.D.).  Tax attorneys can handle difficult situations such as assisting you in tax court, or filing estate tax returns.

How to Find an Accountant for Your Business

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Find an Accountant

Are you feeling overwhelmed with how to find an accountant for your business?  How do you streamline through the thousands of names that are available in the yellow pages and on the internet? Finding an accountant does not have to be a complicated process!

When you are looking to find an accountant for your business, take a few moments to brainstorm exactly what your company is looking for.  What do you want the accountant to do for your business?

The following are some tips to help find that perfect accountant for your company:

Does the accountant have experience in your industry?

This is particularly important if you work in an unique business environment.  When an accountant has familiarity with your industry, you will save your company both time and money. These individuals should be familiar with your specific industry related terms and challenges.  In addition, the accountant should be able to shed some light on areas of revenue and potential loss that you may not have thought of.

Get a Professional Reference or Use a Customized Search Engine

Professional references are one of the main techniques that company’s use to find an accountant for their business.   However, you want to make certain that the reference is provided by someone from a similar field.  When you get a reference, ask for details on why they are recommending this specific accountant or firm.  What did this individual do for the other business? How did they save them money? What is their communication style like?

The internet is another source to help you find an accountant.  Customized accounting search engines, like GoodAccountants can help you streamline the process, highlighting individuals who are familiar with your particular industry.

Are there any unique requirements to consider?

If you have an international business is it required that the accountant can converse and read multiple languages?  Try to find an accountant that has the exact attributes that your company requires.  If you don’t, you will just be looking for another accountant in the near future.

Is there a match between the accountant’s personality and your own?

Are you comfortable with your chosen accountant’s personality and style.  Is the accountant’s financial philosophy (risk-taking behavior) similar to that of your company? Are they able to forecast future trends and potential revenue?  Does their communication style match your expectations?  All of these factors are critical at ensuring that you find an accountant that best fits your business needs.

Take the time to find out your company’s specific needs before beginning with the search for your perfect accountant.  Ideally, this individual will be working with your company for several years so you want to find an accountant that is a good fit to your company’s unique needs.

Do Accountants Really Save You Time and Money?

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Do Accountants Really Save You Time and Money?

Can you really save your company money with an accountant? Quite simply  the answer is yes,  if you take the time to find the accountant that best suits your company’s needs.  When you find the best accountant for your business you will be saving your company not only money but also time.

The ideal accountant for your firm should be familiar with all of the in and outs of the financial side of your business.  It is an accountant’s job to be an expert on tax legislation and to be able to successfully pinpoint areas of potential revenue and loss for your company.

A successful accountant will take the time to evaluate both the financial weaknesses and strengths of your company.  This individual will highlight any potential areas for  tax savings and help you navigate through the mountain of invoices.  The best accountants will let you know what invoices to keep, what to discard and what to question.

Customer satisfaction should be the main objective for a successful accountant. These individuals will strive to save your company both time and money.  This is why it is critical to find an accountant that is familiar with the unique attributes of your business.   The best accountant for your business should  be comfortable with discussing tax savings and reviewing your  company’s  overall financial plan.    A good  accountant should encourage you to reflect on how your company is both spending and investing their money.  This individual will highlight areas where they believe your company can increase its overall revenue and help forecast and ideally prevent areas of potential losses.

When you find that perfect accountant, you will want to work with them not only during tax season but  year round.  These individuals will strive to build a relationship with your company by maintaining consistent communication and providing financial recommendations.  The best accountant for your company will save you time and money.  These individuals will take the time to learn the unique qualities of your business, strive to build a positive relationship, and encourage you to reflect on the company’s short and long term financial goals.