Tips on finding and hiring an accountant

Choosing an accountant can be overwhelming considering the amount of advertising one sees around tax time.So how do you choose the right one? How can you be so sure that what is stated in a television ad or billboard sign is leading you in the right direction and to a qualified accountant who performs quality accounting? Whether you are an individual or a business, it is important to make sure the accountant you pick is right for you . Here are some tips for choosing the right accountant:

Certifications: Simple tax preparer or certified public accountant? If you are an individual with a small income, a tax preparer is probably your best bet, but if you are running a business, or are a high wage earner, a Certified Public Accountant will not only steer you through tax time, but will also help steer your company into the future. An individual who has passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and has met certain education and experience requirements, are much more likely to be able to provide their clients with good service and advice than someone who has experience mostly in corporate accounting or another specialty.

References: Next to certifications, referrals are by far one of the best ways to find out if an accountant is right for you. As the saying goes, "Word of mouth is the best advertising", so ask your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, etc. for information about accountants they may have used. Be sure and ask them if they would consider using them again, and if the advice and tasks performed went smoothly.

Education: Is the accountant keeping up with all the latest tax laws? A good accountant will strive to keep up with the latest tax practices and tax laws.

Another thing to look for in an accountant is membership in key organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Why? Because to belong to this organization one must take a number of continuing education credits to make sure that their skills up to snuff with the latest laws. Another positive is that members routinely interact with their peers (other members) and swap advice. As such, they may be better able to provide their clients with better service than someone without this backing.