http://www.manhattan-cpa.com/

1. Richard Gilmartin, CPA
Manhattan-CPA.com
Choosing The Right CPA Firm For Your Business
Choosing the right CPA and, for that matter, the right CPA firm can be critical to the success of your
business. Especially today, as regulations change and many businesses find it harder to keep up with new
costs and new requirements, properly managing finances is essential. Many people assume that anyone who
has passed the exam and received the title of certified public accountant will be able to provide comparable
services, but in reality there are many things to keep in mind when you are narrowing down options from the
many CPA firms out there.
Any time that you are hiring someone who works at a firm - whether it's a lawyer, consultant, or accountant
- it's important to consider what size of firm you prefer. At a smaller firm you may get more personalized
service and more attention from your accountant. A larger firm, however, will generally offer a broader range
of expertise, so that if your business expands or changes, you won't have to look for a new or secondary firm
to use. Larger firms also will often offer more experience and a longer track record that you can evaluate;
with smaller firms, it may be hard to judge exactly what you are getting into.
Another concern is area of expertise or specialization. There is a wide range of services that are offered by
certified public accountants, including tax preparation, audits, bookkeeping, and business consulting services.
You can't assume that an individual or even a firm will have experience in the area where you need help. It's
important to figure out beforehand whether you just need straightforward accounting services, auditing,
analysis, or less standard services like consulting or estate planning. Familiarity and experience with your
particular industry is also a valuable thing to look for in an accountant or firm. Turning to a larger firm will
improve the likelihood of finding an accountant with the right knowledge and skill set, but regardless of firm
size, it's still important to research what a firm specializes in beforehand.
Of course, the reputation of the firm is also extremely important to consider, since the accountant you hire
will have access to all your records and potentially sensitive information. They also may be giving you advice
that can significantly impact your business, for better or worse. Personal referrals can be an excellent way to
find an accountant or firm. However, you shouldn't feel daunted if you can't find anyone to point you in the
right direction. It's just important that you check credentials. For an individual accountant, you can contact
your state's Board of Accountancy to find out if his or her license is active. For , you can use resources like
the Better Business Bureau to check legitimacy and ability to deliver the results promised. You should also
take the time to interview a few different candidates and get a feel for their experience as well as the way
they do business. The culture of a company can make a significant difference in how well you are able to do
business with them.
Ultimately, finding the best CPA or firm for your business is largely a matter of knowing what you are going
to need in an accountant. Once you've determined that, it's best to focus on companies with a solid
reputation and either a broad range of experience and services, or a specialization in the area that you need
help in.
Document Tags: small business payroll, small business cpa, tax audit, hire a cpa firm
Richard Gilmartin, CPA
http://www.manhattancpa.com/
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