Tax season is traditionally one of the most stressful times for business owners and private individuals. However, there is one thing you can do to alleviate some of the stress associated with submitting your tax returns, and that is to get professional help from a qualified and reliable accountant. However, before you put all your trust in a single person over tax season, it’s a good idea to make sure you think about the following factors so you can choose the perfect accountant to help your business lead a successful journey. Read on to find out what they are.
Certification
When it comes to finding an accountant for tax season, certification matters. Indeed, there are several reasons why it’s better to choose a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
The first is that CPAs have a wealth of study, training, and practical experience behind them, as they have to complete a degree and post-degree studies as well as work experience to become certified. Secondly, the high level of qualification and experience that CPAs have will most definitely work in your favor should the IRS decide to audit you, so it makes sense to make sure they are on your team from the outset.
Expertise
Next, if you want to find an accountant who is the perfect fit for your business during tax season, it makes sense to consider their expertise. What you should look for here includes your tax professionals’ experience with other businesses working in your industry, as this shows they will have a good working understanding of the demands and issues that may pop up related to tax.
Similarly, it’s a good idea to check that the accountant that you choose is well-versed in any systems or software that you use internally for accounts. Otherwise, you could find that the work takes much longer than necessary.
Location
Another important consideration when choosing an account is their location. This is because, while you can choose to work with an accountant located anywhere in the world, there are some distinct advantages to picking one that is local to your business.
For example, if you are located in New Jersey (NJ), choosing a small business accountant NJ makes sense because you can have face-to-face meetings to discuss your taxes. You can also ask your account to come along with you to business meetings if they are local.
Similarly, by choosing an accountant who is local to the New Jersey area, you can be sure they will be intimately familiar with the NJ tax laws. This will ensure that your taxes will match the regulations and laws of your state, reducing your chances of being audited later.
Reputation
Last of all, when selecting the right account for tax season, it’s imperative that you consider their reputation. The good news is that there are more ways to find out what previous customers think about their service than ever.
For instance, going online and checking their website for testimonials is a good start. Even better is to get reviews from an independent site like Trust Pilot. Don’t forget the power of social media here either, as you can use all sorts of networks, from LinkedIn to Facebook, to get a good idea of the quality of service they provide.
