You want everything in order for your business. It’s hard enough to run a business, but how about doing your accounting? This can make it difficult. This is why it’s important to find the best accounting professionals possible. What can you do to make the best choice from so many options? These are five steps that will help you locate top accountants for your company.
1. Define your needs
Start by looking at your company’s accounting needs. Are you looking for someone to manage your payroll? Is it necessary to have someone prepare your taxes? Is it possible to have both tax preparation and tax planning done by one person? Knowing what you are looking for will make it easier to locate the perfect accountant.
For example, if you need someone to handle your payroll, you’ll want to find an accountant specializing in payroll services. On the other hand, if you need help preparing your taxes, you’ll want to find an accountant with experience.
Determining your needs from an accounting perspective will narrow your search, making it easier to find the best professional for you.
2. Do Your Research
Do your research. Ask your family and friends for recommendations on accountants in your local area.
Take the time to look into each name after you’ve obtained a few. Visit their site to see the services that they provide. Review other businesses.
Research helps you weed out the good from the bad and make it easier to find an accountant that’s a good fit for your business.
You can find a greater pool of qualified candidates by attending local business networking events. Also, get to know the accountants who are there.
Accounting recruiters can also be a valuable resource in finding the best accounting professionals. Accounting recruiters work with all types of businesses to find the best accountants for them.
3. Screening and Shortlisting Candidates for Interview
After researching and narrowing down your options, it’s time to start screening them. To get to know your options, it’s best to set up a video or phone chat.
You can ask them about their past experience and the types of services that they offer. You will be able to better know them and their capabilities for you business.
After the call, it’s time to shortlist them for an interview. Select the one that is most suitable for you and set up an interview in person.
4. For Interview
An interview is the best way to get to know an accountant and see if they’re a good fit for your business.
Ask about their experiences, the services they provide, what they charge and any other pertinent information. You should also take the time to ask them about their accounting software knowledge and see if they’re comfortable using it.
Ask each candidate the exact same questions during the interview. It will allow you to evaluate them all and help you choose the right person for filling the vacancies within your company.
You might also want to inquire about:
- Let me know about your experiences working with companies like mine.
- Which services offer you?
- Is it fair to charge what you are charging?
- Are you familiar with accounting software such as QuickBooks and Xero
- Let me know about the time you dealt with a challenging client. What was your approach?
- Please tell me about a time when you went above and beyond to help a client. Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond for a client.
5. You Have to Make a Decision
After the interview, it’s time to choose the best candidate. Think about their experiences, the things they offer and how much they charge. You can also consider your gut feelings. Once you’ve made your decision, it’s time to hire them.
Final step: negotiate the contract. Be sure to discuss their hourly rate, what services they’ll be providing, and when you expect them to start once you’ve both agreed on the terms.
The decision of hiring an accountant can be a major one. By following these steps, you’ll be sure to find the best possible candidate for your business. By researching and screening applicants, as well as negotiating contracts, you can make sure that your transition is smooth. By taking the time to do this, you’ll be sure to find an accountant that’s a good fit for your business and can help you take it to the next level.
Enterprise Podcast Network – EPN. The article 5 Steps to Find Top Accounting Pros for Your Biz appeared originally on Enterprise Podcast Network – EPN.
