Small Business Owner Seeking a New Accountant? Essential Questions to Ask.

Running a small business without a dependable accountant is like navigating uncharted waters without a compass. A trustworthy accountant can be your guide, helping you save time, money, and avoid tax-season stress. If you’re on the hunt for a new accountant and narrowing down your options, here are some essential (and maybe slightly revealing) questions to ask, so you know what you're signing up for.

Experience

• How long have you been in the tax game?

• Do you have experience handling tax filings for LLCs, partnerships, and corporations?

• Are you familiar with tax nuances in my specific industry?

• What professional licenses do you hold?

Work Style + Scope

• How will I get you the information you need to work your tax magic?

• Can you walk me through your process? Do we meet face-to-face, or is this a digital-first relationship?

• Are you able to help me create a tax-saving strategy throughout the year?

• When it comes to tax tasks (signing forms, paying taxes, etc.), what falls under my responsibilities, and what will you handle?

• Do you offer bookkeeping services, or should I plan to hire a separate bookkeeper?

• Would you say you're more conservative or aggressive in claiming deductions?

• If an audit comes knocking, how do you handle it? What can I expect from that process?

• Are you able to represent me in front of the IRS?

Fees

• How do you charge—flat-rate, hourly, or some other structure?

• Can you give me a ballpark range of your fees?

• If your fees are flat-rate, do you charge extra for phone calls or emails if I have questions?

These questions will help you get a feel for not only their expertise but also their working style—after all, this person could soon be your financial right hand!