Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Videos About Advertise Blog Network Contact
   

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

Featured Ebook


ebook Famous Entrepreneurs - Modern Empire Builders


Featured Ebook

More Evan Carmichael
Have A Suggestion?

Sales Lessons From Starbucks And Dell

Choosing the Right CPA (or Tax Advisor) For You & Your Business



Choosing the Right CPA (or Tax Advisor) For You & Your Business
   

What do you look for in a CPA? Start right here...

Certified Professional Accountants (CPAs) are more than
just individuals who do your yearly taxes. They can advise
you on a long list of other services, which may include
advice on your accounting system, financial, retirement,
estate and tax planning. CPAs are part of a business
owner's professional team along with a banker and lawyer.
Here are some suggestions on choosing the right one for you
and your business.

Ask for recommendations
Your local Chamber of Commerce will tell you the names of
CPAs who are members. Also, when you attend any type of
meeting, or meet other business owners, ask for CPA
recommendations from them.

Use the 60% rule
Pick a CPA who has 60% of his or her business coming from
business owners such as yourself. A CPA is more apt to keep
up with the laws specific to clients they deal with most
often. If your business is incorporated, make sure that the
person specializes in corporate accounting, including
financial statements and audits.

Interview CPAs
Ask what type of services they do for their clients, how
long they've been in business full time, and for
references. Don't forget to ask to see their license. Ask
them about the benefits of choosing them over another CPA.

Rates
Ask about their rates and what those rates include. If they
have a rate chart, all the better. Also, ask what their
hourly rate is and what the cost would be to answer
questions during the year.

Ask about record keeping
Ask what computer program they prefer you use for your
record keeping and why they prefer that program. Many
times, if you use the program they suggest, it can save you
some money because they can use your data files. Some even
have programs they'll set up especially for you.

Bring your records to the interview
Bring a copy of last year's tax return when you interview a
CPA. This way your prospective CPA can give you educated
estimates as to what their services will cost you.

How to file
If you want to save some money, ask how they want your
paper files. If you bring your files to them in shoeboxes -
hey, many folks do - you will pay to have all that material
organized and deciphered! You can save money if you
separate the information the way the CPA suggests.

Corporation vs. individual
Are you interested in hiring a corporation of CPAs or a CPA
that has his or her own business? If you opt for the
corporation, find out if you'll be dealing with one
particular person, or will it be whoever answers the phone
when you call. It's best to build a relationship with one
person.

When do they work?
What are their hours of operation? Make sure that you can
call them at hours that are convenient for you.

Making a decision
Interview at least three CPAs. Don't rush this decision.
Make sure you have the best CPA and bookkeeper for you and
your business!

(c) 2007 Maria Marsala


Choosing the Right CPA (or Tax Advisor) For You & Your Business - To learn more about this author, visit Maria Marsala's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends
[Get Copyright Permissions] E-Mail | Print | More  


Related Articles Related Articles
Boost Your Business -- Become An Advisor
  So what is the difference between an agent and an advisor? Agents just want to list a home and hope it sells. Advisors help their clients lead the market, not follow the market. They do that by knowing their mar...
Why Refer You
  Yes, you are a wonderful person, and an excellent advisor, but so are a lot of your competitors, so why should anyone refer you instead of one of them?
Print Advertising - Offering some "Reasons Why"
  A classic ad headline: "I said: "Give me one reason why I should choose xxxx". They offered nine!" If you can let people see a range of ways they will gain, then you are widening the possible responses your ads c...
You Don’t have to Have all of the Answers; It is okay to Seek Help Once in a While
  If you are too proud to ask for help in your business, you are missing out on many valuable learning opportunities. Mentoring is an essential tool to utilise in business. Mentors, business associates, friends and ...
How To Create An Advisory Board
  “How do I go about creating an advisory board for my business?”

Related Forum Posts Related Forum Posts
Two Useful Books To Help You Focus On The CLIENT Two Useful Books To Help You Focus On The CLIENT
Book: 101 Best Home Based Businesses for Women Book: 101 Best Home Based Businesses for Women
My entry My entry
Re: White or colored t-shirts? Re: White or colored t-shirts?
Re: Congrats Shri! Re: Congrats Shri!
Exclusive: Interview with Results Exclusive: Interview with Results
Re: Teaching kids financial literacy Re: Teaching kids financial literacy
Book Sales Book Sales

 
About the Author


Maria Marsala
(Visit Maria's Website)
Elevating Your Business is a business strategy, coaching, education and speaking company specializing on building bigger, better businesses—faster! Our clients are service industry business owners and financial professionals who face overwhelm in key business fundamentals: planning, operations, marketing. Maria Marsala, Chief Operations Strategist, uses extensive financial and business experience to help her clients and students streamline, automate, and create simple systems. Using her proprietary step-by-step program, “Corporate Secrets,” her clients create processes that let them get back to doing what they enjoy the most. Rate the Health of Your Business! Claim your assessment and weekly business tips at www .ElevatingYourBusiness.com.
Have A Suggestion?

View Author's Blog
Become An Author

View Author's Video
Become An Author

Free Downloads


Maria Marsala's

Complete
List Of
Women-Entrepreneurs
Articles

First Name
Last Name
Email
 
Author's Free Downloads
Create a Dream Board Icon Create a Dream Board
Ezine Hosting Choices Icon Ezine Hosting Choices
Recession Proof Business Icon Recession Proof Business
Drive Web Traffic Icon Drive Web Traffic
Business Checkup Icon Business Checkup
Serenity cards Icon Serenity cards
Teleseminar Etiquette Icon Teleseminar Etiquette

More Maria Marsala
Plan Today for Your Most Prosperous Tomorrow A 4step blue print for success
10 Networking Myths
Ask The Expert Business Coach
Do Ask Do Tell Top 10 Most Helpful Online Customer Survey Resources
Choosing the Right CPA or Tax Advisor For You Your Business
28 Questions to Help You Critique Your Business Boost Profits
Seven Ps Of Marketing
Are You Stealing Your Logo
How To Get Paid Every Time You Speak Locally REALLY
The Top 10 SIMPLE Ways To Use ONE Article To Get Yourself Known
Become An Author