Guide to Choosing an Accountant or Tax Professional

This guide is intended to sort through the complexities and confusion in finding an accounting or tax professional that is right for your particular lifestyle and financial situation.

Why do you need an accounting and/or tax professional?

Let's first look at your requirements. How complex is your financial situation? Are you looking for a service that just prepares your tax return? Do you want to save time? Save Money? Do you need someone to assist you as an advisor throughout the year? Is it important to have the same individual or firm prepare your tax returns from year to year, someone with whom you can build a long-term relationship?

Confused? Don't be. This guide will help you determine the kind of professional you need.

Tax laws and accounting requirements are constantly changing. It is imperative that practitioners continuously upgrade their skills and abilities. Choosing someone to handle your financial needs is no less important than selecting any other service provider such as your doctor. Some simple tips to keep in mind when making a selection are:

Talk to friends and those with whom you work about their experiences. Ask them for referrals. You can also contact national or state organizations for names of their members in your area. Chamber of Commerce activities and service club luncheons are often a good place to talk to others about who they use for their financial services.

Select two or three individuals you believe are best for your situation. Then interview each professional. Make sure you have good rapport with each other. Here are some questions you might ask, depending on your situation:

* What professional organizations do you belong to?

* What credentials to you have that demonstrate your proficiency in serving my needs?

* Do your professional organizations have a Code of Ethics and required standards?

* Where did you get your training?

* How do you keep up-to-date on law changes?

* How long have you been in practice?

* How many tax returns do you prepare each year? What part is Business? Individual? Corporate?

* What is your specialty?

* Are you the person who will do my return?

* Have you dealt with tax situations like mine?

* How do you double-check for accuracy?

* What is the turnaround time for a tax return like mine?

* How do you determine your fees?

* Can you be reached during the year for tax planning? Do you provide year-round tax advisory services?

Do you offer estate and trust planning?

* Do you do partnership or corporation returns?

* Do you offer tax planning for owners of closely held businesses?

You should now have the information you need to make an educated selection. Choose the one you think will do the best job for you. Hopefully, it will result in a long-term relationship.