So you’re running a successful business that you’re passionate about. You’ve managed to secure a steady stream of customers, and it seems like your efforts are starting to pay off.
Everything seems to be going well– your business is growing and money is coming in. However, if you want to keep your doors open, you need to ensure that you’re keeping track of your finances and managing it properly.
Many small business owners tend to do everything on their own. However, spending your precious time on your books instead of focusing on your business growth is not an efficient use of your time. In fact, this is counterproductive as it would take you longer to accomplish the task and you would lose focus on the core aspects of your business.
If you realize it’s time to hire a CPA for the accounting side of your business, the next thing that you should think about is where you can find a reliable CPA accounting firm near you.
In this article, we will discuss why you need an accountant for your business and how you can find a CPA accounting firm in Princeton NJ, or anywhere else.
Why You Need a CPA for your Small Business
Basically, an accountant is a professional whose main responsibility is to take care of the financial aspects of your business. Some of the tasks of an accountant include bookkeeping, preparation of financial statements and reports, filing of tax returns, budgeting, and forecasting, among others.
Now, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is an accountant who has passed the Uniform CPA Exam or meets the educational and experience requirements of the state they live in. With this, all CPAs are accountants, but not all accountants are CPAs.
By hiring a CPA for your business, you’re tapping into the expertise of someone who can do much more than just bookkeeping and filing taxes. A CPA can assist you in tax planning, audit and assurance, management and consulting, forensic accounting, and provide timely strategic advice, among many other high-value services.
How to Find the Best CPA Accounting Firm
The best CPA accounting firm for you is the one that can effectively address your pain points and provide the greatest value to your business. Here are some tips that will point you in the right direction:
1. Identify your needs and goals.
The very first thing that you should do is to determine why you are looking to hire a CPA accounting firm. What are your desired end results and what are you having problems with?
Do you feel you’re spending too much time managing your team’s payroll? Are you struggling with the computation of your taxes and the preparation of the corresponding paperwork? Do you need help with an IRS audit?
By identifying your needs and goals, you’ll be able to choose the right CPA for you.
2. Ask for referrals from your family and friends.
Recommendations from the people you trust are valuable. If these people have had first-hand experience with a particular CPA accounting firm and the quality of service has been great for them, there is a high chance that you will have a similar experience.
So ask around and consider adding the personal recommendations of your family and friends to your shortlisted candidates.
3. Do your own research.
If your family and friends don’t have recommendations or you just want to add more options to your list, you can simply do your own research online.
A simple search query such as “CPA accounting firm near me” or “CPA accounting firm in Princeton NJ” will surely produce a significant number of results. You can also check directories for information about the accountants within your area. Be diligent enough to verify their credentials and license before transacting with them.
While you’re at it, you might also want to check client reviews and testimonials from their past clients.
4. Call your shortlisted candidates.
It’s always good to consider several options and not just go with the top search result on Google.
Once you have a shortlist of CPA accounting firms, call them to know about their qualifications and experience, pricing structure, availability, the services they offer, and other crucial information. This is also the time to ask for references that you can contact to verify that they’re indeed good at what they do.
5. Meet your chosen accountant in person.
Before you close the deal and sign any contract, take the time to meet your CPA in person. Remember, this will be the one who will handle your money.
During this meeting, make sure that you clarify any gray areas if there are any, and ask any questions you might have. By doing this, you’ll also be able to get to know the person a bit more.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best accountant for your small business can be challenging. However, with these simple tips, you’ll surely be able to choose the right one for you.
If you’re looking for a CPA accounting firm in Princeton NJ that you can trust, look no further– Lear & Pannepacker is the perfect fit for you! From bookkeeping, accounting, and tax support to audit & assurance, CFO services, and business advisory we’ve got you covered!
Get in touch with us today so we can talk about your specific situation and let us help you achieve your business goals!
