| Question #1: Is timely service delivered? | | | | Question #12: Who will I be interacting with? |
| Accounting information can get out of date | | | | Many tax firms assign more than one person to a |
| quickly. Except for annual information, most | | | | clients return. You probably dont need to know |
| accounting information should be no more than | | | | how the back room operates, but you want to |
| 10-30 days old. You should be able to access your | | | | know if the person youre interviewing is the one |
| up-to-date information and your CPA quickly and | | | | who will be able to answer your questions about |
| easily. | | | | your return. |
| A proficient CPA makes it a habit to get back to | | | | Question #13: Whats your policy on returning |
| clients as quickly as possible. Phone messages | | | | phone calls? |
| should be replied to the day they are left or no | | | | A common complaint often heard from |
| later than the following day. | | | | consumers about their CPAs is about long wait |
| Question #2: Do the same people always service | | | | for returned phone calls. CPAs arent famous for |
| your account? | | | | their communication skills. Its not unreasonable to |
| Ideally the same person should work with you not | | | | ask how long you should expect to wait to have |
| whoever is available at the time. That way a | | | | a call returned. Asking also lets your CPA know |
| relationship can be built where the accountant and | | | | you do want your calls returned promptly. |
| you are comfortable with each other. | | | | Question #14: Are you available outside of the |
| Question #3: What services beyond the usual | | | | tax season? |
| reporting and number-crunching are offered? | | | | Some tax preparers are seasonal. They are |
| A CPA needs to be more than a data entry clerk. | | | | available only the first four months of the year, |
| Its their duty as an adviser to make sure the | | | | or their offices are close for a few months each |
| information they receive makes sense. If it | | | | year. If you expect year-round access, you need |
| doesnt, they should ask questions and seek | | | | to make sure the tax professional is available. |
| clarity. | | | | Question #15: Are you a corporation of CPAs or |
| Question #4: How can the accountant help you | | | | an individual CPA that has their own business? |
| make more money? | | | | If you opt for the corporation, find out if youll be |
| It sounds like a wise-guy question, but the answer | | | | dealing with one particular person, or will it be |
| will help you find out if candidates are interested in | | | | whoever answers the phone when you call. Its |
| your business. Did they review the financial | | | | best to have one person to build a relationship |
| information you provided prior to the interview? | | | | with. |
| Did they make sure you understood the | | | | Question #16: When do you work? |
| accounting concepts, instead of tossing off a | | | | What are the CPAs hours of operation? Make |
| bunch of jargon? | | | | sure that you can call him at hours that are |
| A proficient CPAs goal to save you more in taxes | | | | convenient for you. |
| it is also in his best interest that you succeed. | | | | Question #17: Do you conduct your own business |
| Question #5: Do you believe Im paying too much, | | | | and personal affairs in a reasonably efficient and |
| too little, or just the right amount of tax? | | | | sensible way? |
| Beyond simply preparing tax forms, an | | | | Ask questions about the CPAs approach to |
| accountant should be involved in business planning | | | | getting and serving clients, the role of staff, the |
| throughout the year. Typically, a quarterly review | | | | use of technology including computers, |
| should be scheduled to ensure books and records | | | | communications equipment and the Internet as |
| are in order. This also allows the CPA time to | | | | well as ways of keeping current, research |
| advise clients about their businesses so they | | | | methods, management of files and records, etc. |
| function with peak tax efficiency. | | | | Question #18: Will my computer and/or I be |
| Because most business owners pay too much in | | | | serviced by you, a partner or junior accountants? |
| taxes, a proficient CPA will analyze the tax | | | | Many CPA firms train new associates at the |
| situation from the form of entity to all legal | | | | clients expense. Be sure you get what you pay |
| means to plan and minimize all taxes paid. | | | | for. |
| Question #6: Do you consider yourself | | | | Question #19: How are your fees calculated? Will |
| tech-savvy? | | | | you be charging me for every phone discussion? |
| Small business accounting software has made | | | | To avoid friction later, it is essential to discuss the |
| powerful accounting tools available to everyone. | | | | CPAs fee structure. Tax professionals may bill by |
| But these accounting packages (most notably | | | | the hour, form, overall return or some |
| QuickBooks) are only as useful as the person who | | | | combination. After reviewing your previous |
| installs and runs the application. For this reason, a | | | | returns and interviewing you, a tax professional |
| proficient CPA will help you install and set up a set | | | | should be able to give you a good-faith estimate |
| of books, while also requesting them for review. | | | | of costs. If the CPA uses a time-based system, |
| Question #7: Who are your other clients? | | | | discuss the hourly rate of the accountant and |
| Imagine this scenario: You hire an accountant | | | | staff, overhead expense reimbursement (what is |
| based on the assumption he understands the | | | | the cost of a fax?) and whether certain time is |
| basics of your business. Then, you find out hes | | | | not billed. |
| never had a client like you before. Instead, hes | | | | Find out now whether a simple two-minute phone |
| only prepared tax forms for wealthy individuals | | | | call or a one-page fax means an hour of billable |
| who dont own businesses. | | | | time. If thats the case, run for the door. |
| Avoid this disaster by asking about the | | | | Question #20: What can I do to help you with |
| accountants clients. If they are businesses similar | | | | your work and keep your fees to a minimum? |
| to yours, thats a good sign. In asking about | | | | A great deal of your accountants time can be |
| clients, you will also want to understand the CPAs | | | | saved by preparing information beforehand. Find |
| work schedule and whether he has the time and | | | | out if your CPA is willing to work with you to |
| resources to support you adequately. | | | | offload this work to your firm. |
| Question #8: What kind of creative business | | | | Question #21: Do you perceive any conflicts of |
| advice will you offer me? | | | | interest? |
| Advising clients on what they can do to grow and | | | | CPAs work for dozens of firms and scores and |
| set goals, as well as discussing issues, are all part | | | | sometimes hundreds of individuals. You should |
| of a proficient CPAs services. Together, this | | | | inquire if any of your direct competition is |
| allows you to discover what works for your | | | | represented by the firm. If so, inquire as to how |
| business so funds are used wisely. | | | | this conflict is handled. |
| Question #9: Why should I use you? | | | | Question #22: How long have you been a |
| Ask the question and just listen for the answer. | | | | Certified Public Accountant, and what other |
| You should feel like the CPA really cares about | | | | licenses do you hold? |
| your success. | | | | You should inquire with the state CPA organization |
| Question #10: What kind of credentials do you | | | | to discover if there have been any disciplinary |
| have? | | | | actions entered. Some accountants also have |
| Tax professionals are usually certified public | | | | credentials as financial planners (PFS), securities |
| accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents (EAs) or | | | | representatives, business valuation experts, even |
| unenrolled preparers. | | | | lawyers. Check web directories and websites (e.g., |
| Question #11: How much professional education | | | | |
| do you get annually? | | | | Question #23: How well have you integrated |
| Just passing the test to be a CPA or an EA isnt | | | | computers and the Internet into your practice, |
| enough. With the tax code and interpretations of | | | | and has it enabled you to do more for the clients |
| the code changing every year, continuing | | | | at less cost? |
| education is really essential. EAs are required to | | | | Integrating your computer files with your CPAs |
| have 72 hours of continuing education in a | | | | files can save time and money and increase |
| three-year period; each state sets its own | | | | accuracy. Doing so over the Internet makes it |
| requirements for CPAs. In Oregon, for example, | | | | even simpler. Find out how your CPA uses the |
| CPAs must take 80 hours of continuing education | | | | Internet. Does he have his own website? If so, |
| within a two-year period. | | | | check it out and ask questions about the |
| Many tax professionals take more than the | | | | resources available on it. Find out how you can |
| minimum requirement for continuing education. | | | | interact with him and his computer systems to |
| Although more training doesnt necessarily mean | | | | make work flow more efficient, while enabling |
| the tax pro will be superior, its certainly not a bad | | | | both of you to stay in touch. |
| sign. | | | | |