Businesses hire accountants for various reasons, whether it is to help organize taxes or to manage payroll. They can help you with various financial tasks that you may otherwise struggle to do alone. Whether you hire a permanent in-house accountant, or you simply outsource accountancy tasks on an as-and-when basis, accountants can really take the strain off you when it comes to intricate duties that you might not know how to approach.
Lucky for you there are plenty of local accountants in Texas, as it is a booming state with plenty of businesses. However, this can make it tricky to narrow down who to work with. Here are 5 crucial questions that you can ask to help you to decide.
“Do You Know Texas State Rules And Regulations?”
Each state has its own laws when it comes to business and finances. Therefore, you need to ensure that the accountant you hire knows how to assist you in jobs you need help with, such as your filing tax information - see here for how to get a tax ID Number in Texas.
Make sure the accountant you are speaking to is legitimate and has proven experience working with businesses in Texas. If you get this right, this Texan CPA could help you to avoid mistakes and perhaps even reduce your taxes in the long run.
“Are You Based Nearby And How Do You Prefer To Communicate?”
It is a good idea to find out how they like to operate to see if you would be compatible when working together. Do they prefer face-to-face meetings or video calls? Would they like to work from home or your office? By getting these aspects clear, you will be able to more easily decipher whether or not you’re a good match for one another.
“Have You Worked With Businesses Similar To Mine?”
Preferably it is better to go with accountants who know about your industry, just so that they are more familiar with the work involved and what to expect. However, it is not necessary, it is more of a bonus. As there is such a large pool of accountants in Texas though, you should be able to find someone that has previous knowledge of your products and services.
“Do You Have Proven Credentials?”
You want to ensure that the accountant you take on board has the skills for the job. Ask them about their education and work history. Find out more about them as a person and if you are unsure of anything, then ask to see their credentials. You want to be sure that they can do what they say they are going to do, as unfortunately, there are fraudsters out there.
“What Is Your Pay Rate?”
You may find that pay rates can vary a lot from one person to the next, depending on how far they are in their career. So, this is something for you to think about - is it more cost-effective for you to get an accountant to work for your business full-time, part-time, or to simply outsource the financial tasks? Hiring an experienced accountant could be a smart investment to maximize deductions while keeping the IRS at bay.
