| Look for a CPA that best suits your business | | | | cost. In fact, many of the larger CPA firms have |
| needs, and ensure they are state licensed. You | | | | outsourced bookkeeping (sometimes misspelled |
| can check with the local board in your state. The | | | | book keeping or bookeeping) to lower their own |
| records are in the public domain. You can also | | | | costs. Some savvy small business owners have |
| check with the university in your potential CPA's | | | | chosen to follow suit with their own bookkeepers |
| resume to make sure their degree is real. | | | | (sometimes misspelled book keepers or |
| A qualified CPA firm should be versatile, and come | | | | bookeepers) outside of their local market. |
| prepared to offer you references. And don't be | | | | Ask your CPA if they are a member of the |
| afraid to make direct contact with those | | | | AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public |
| references with a list of pertinent questions and | | | | Accountants) or state society of CPAs. Again, |
| concerns. It is not impolite to ask probing | | | | checking the good standing of a CPA firm is easy |
| questions if done with courtesy. Finding a CPA is | | | | to do and in the public domain. |
| just too important a task to leave to chance. | | | | And, of high importance on your list of questions, |
| Learn about your CPA's business practices. How | | | | what is their hourly rate? You can expect to pay |
| often will they meet with you? Will they be the | | | | $75 per hour for a qualified CPA. Well worth the |
| one working directly on your business, or another, | | | | cost compared to the pitfalls of not obtaining the |
| more junior, member of their accounting firm? | | | | proper financial consultant. You can also consider |
| Many small businesses now work with CPA firms | | | | hiring a much lower cost bookkeeping firm for |
| and qualified bookkeeping firms online - by | | | | more mundane functions. Both bookkeepers and |
| working with a provider remotely, your small | | | | CPAs usually have their place on your small |
| business can still get top-notch service at a lower | | | | business team. |