When you need an accountant, specifically a CPA, you want to be sure the person is trustworthy, capable, experienced, and highly educated. Regardless of whether the CPA is handling business or personal finances, they can offer a lot to the tax process. While there is a cost related to hiring a CPA, the initial amount paid can help you save on taxes now and every year in the future.
When it comes to filing taxes, there are several options. You can file on your own, use software specifically made for taxes, or work with a general accountant. However, CPAs have additional training and experience that isn’t found elsewhere. Each CPA must meet rigorous standards such as passing the Uniform CPA Examination and having a large amount of professional experience.
If you’ve decided that you need the help of a Certified Public Attorney for your needs, you might be wondering how to choose the one right for your situation. Below are some of the most important things to look for when choosing an experienced CPA.
Excellent Communication Skills
Any top CPA will understand how tax codes work, but only the best in the field will be able to take that knowledge and transfer it to you in simple language. It stands to reason that you want your CPA to be highly knowledgeable. It can be equally or even more essential that you understand what they are talking to you about. While you consider the perfect CPA for your needs, keep this in mind.
You want something on your side that has a tremendous amount of tax knowledge and the ability to share all of that with you. Taking a complex tax concept and turning it into something simple for the everyday person to understand is more important than you might realize.
Plenty of Experience
The best CPA is someone who has experience. But more than that, this person needs to have experience in the exact situation you’re in. Every CPA should understand personal and business tax situations, including risk assessment and financial planning. However, when it comes to the right CPA for your needs, you have to see if that experience works for you. Since everyone is different, it’s a good idea to interview a few CPAs before you choose one.
For example, a one-person operation might not be compatible with a huge corporation. In the same vein, a CPA that primarily focuses on businesses might not be the top choice for an individual. Even if a CPA is intelligent, knowledgeable, and up to date on every tax code, that doesn’t matter if their expertise isn’t suitable for your situation. If you aren’t confident that you’re choosing the right CPA, it’s a good idea to ask for referrals from past and current clients.
The Ability to Be Transparent
A top CPA is someone who knows all there is to know about tax codes and law, but they are also capable of asking questions about your own situation. Whether you have a simple question or something more challenging, the right CPA will be willing and ready to talk about the issues that are specific to you. This person has to be prepared to listen and then provide answers and information explicitly based on what concerns you.
The basic idea here is that you should choose a CPA who will go above and beyond to make you happy. You want someone who listens to you, listens to your questions, and is willing to do the work to find the appropriate answers for your situation.
A Team Player
The best CPA has experience in the field, formal education, and is constantly seeking new training to stay on top of the game. However, this person should also be capable of thriving in a team situation. This is especially true if this is a CPA for a business rather than an individual. In this case, you’ll have other advisors on your side, and the CPA will be expected to fit in and work with them. The CPA you choose should be committed to your goals and success while being aware that more than be done with a group than a single person.