There are very few positions within a business as important as accountant. Keeping accurate books, and knowing what to do with the information that those books provide, is one of the most important aspects of excelling in business. Many businesses have failed simply because they lacked the quality accounting systems that are needed to maintain accurate records, pay taxes, make smart decisions, and more. If you can employ a quality business accountant within your company, you will be a big step ahead of the competition.
Just like any other hiring process, you need to take your time when selecting an accountant for your business. Not only should this person have all of the necessary certifications and education, they should also be experienced in a field that is relevant to your company. It is hard to overestimate the value of a good accountant, so don’t cut any corners in this recruitment process.
Look for a CPA
The first thing you should be looking for in your business accountant is CPA certification. The title of Certified Public Accountant is not one that is achieved easily, so you can expect anyone with these letters after their name to have plenty of accounting knowledge and experience. Not all CPA’s are created equal, but simply having the ability to pass the exam required for this accreditation is a great testament to the accounting knowledge that the individual possesses.
Find the Right Package of Services
What services do you need for your business from an accounting perspective? Before you even start interviewing accountants, take some time to create a list of needs that will have to be filled by the accountant. Do you need this person to strictly keep the books, or would you like them to advice you on management decisions as well? There are a number of various roles that can be filled by an experienced accountant, so decide what you are going to want them to do before you set up interviews.
Pick a Good Match
There are a few hurdles that need to be cleared before you can arrive at a short list of accountants to fill your position. Those hurdles include the above mentioned CPA certification, along with educational and experience needs in order to qualify the person to work for you. Beyond those technical points, however, is also the matter of personality. Your accountant is someone who you will likely meet with on a regular basis, and they will need to work well with you in order to come to solutions on challenging problems. At the end of the day, is this a person that you feel like you can work with comfortably? If not, you might want to keep looking.
Prices
Everything comes down to price. You might find the perfect accountant for the job, but they won’t be able to work for you if they demand a fee which is twice as expensive as what you are able to pay. Ask about their fees right upfront, and stick to what you have budgeted for the position. As long as you are willing to pay a reasonable wage, you should be able to locate a qualified accountant for a price that will work for you and your business.
There aren’t a lot of decisions you are going to make as a business owner that are more important than hiring an accountant. Getting this choice right can make your life easier for years to come – and getting it wrong can have the opposite effect. Take your time, think through all of the relevant pieces of information, and close the process when you have the perfect person for the job.