Hire Accountant | By Andrew Smith | 2025-04-10 11:10:24

Your Essential Guide to Finding and Hiring an Accountant

Do you know that nearly 20% of businesses in America fail in their 1st year of business and the top cause is bad financial management? If you are thinking of growing your company, saving money on taxes or simply making sense of your expenses and income, hiring an accountant could be the smartest financial decision you ever make. Whether you are a small business, freelancer, or simply fed up with the figures during tax season 2025, employing an accountant can provide you with clarity, confidence and savings.

In this blog, we will see when and how to employ an accountant, what they do, how you can get the best accountant for your company, and how they can help you save money.

Why Do You Need An Accountant?

People believe they need an accountant when it comes to file taxes. But the truth is, accountants can help you all year round. They manage numbers and help you make much better money choices.

These are signs you may need an accountant :.

You are focusing a lot of time on bookkeeping and not enough on developing your business.
You are unsure if you are overpaying on taxes.
You want to expand, hire people or even purchase equipment.
You are unsure how your business is really doing financially.
You simply want peace of mind knowing your finances are in order.

In case any of these seem familiar, you may wish to hire an accountant.

What Does an Accountant Actually Do?

Good accountant does more than file your taxes. Let us break down into simple terms what they can do:

1. Keep Track of Your Money (Bookkeeping)

They log every dollar that comes in and goes out. This includes your earnings, expenses, invoices and wages.

2. Help You Make Financial Decisions (Advisory Services)

Signing a new contract? Purchasing equipment? Opening a location elsewhere? An accountant can help you determine whether it is the best move.

3. Prepare Financial reports

They produce reports which show you the way your business is performing. This helps you establish realistic goals, adjust your pricing and plan for growth.

4. Handle Audits and Legal Compliance

Whenever the IRS comes knocking, you will be happy you have an accountant with you. They maintain your records clean and correct.

5. Save you Money

An accountant knows where you can cut costs and how to legally lower your tax bill. They will also catch mistakes that cost you money in fines or lost deductions.

When Should You Hire an Accountant?

You do not need to make billions to employ an accountant. Actually, many small businesses and even individuals could use an accountant early on.

The following are a few times to hire an accountant:

Starting a business: Obtain the structure (LLC, S-Corp, etc.), do registrations, and be tax ready right from the start.
Tax season 2025: Simple, but essential - particularly in case you have multiple income sources or investments.
Large financial changes: In case you are borrowing cash, hiring workers or expanding your company.
Fast growth: If your income or expenses are increasing rapidly, you might lose track of things.
Money stress or confusion: You need an accountant in case you keep wondering "Where did all of the money go?"

In-House vs Outsourced Accountants

When you are hiring an accountant you have 2 choices :

In-House Accountant

This is somebody you hire full time or even part time. They work for your business and handle almost everything from the inside.

Best for: Medium to large businesses with complicated finances and constant cash flow.

Outsourced Accounting Services

You find an outside firm or freelancer. This is oftentimes cheaper, particularly for small businesses and startups.

Best for: Solo entrepreneurs / startups / small companies.

What Qualities to Look For in a Financial Accountant

An accountant is not just someone who is great with numbers but someone you are able to trust and communicate with.

These are qualities to look for in an accountant:

Attention to Detail: A missed decimal can cost you thousands. You want someone cautious, thorough.
Good Communication Skills: Accounting terms are complicated. Your accountant must understand how to explain things in simple English.
Tech-Savvy: The most effective accountants are at ease with modern tools like QuickBooks, Xero or even Excel. Cloud-based accounting is the norm.
Industry Experience: If you need real estate accounting, ecommerce or healthcare accounting, find an accountant that understands your industry and its tax rules.
Ethical and Trustworthy: This person can see your financial records. Be sure they're licensed, transparent and have good references.

Where to Find a Good Accountant

Now that you know exactly what to look for, where to actually find a accountant?

Ask for Referrals: Friends, other business owners or perhaps your attorney might know somebody reliable.
Use Online Job Boards & Platforms: Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Upwork can connect you with accountants with verified credentials and reviews.
Verify Professional Organizations: Groups such as American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) or the National Society of Accountants have members you can contact.
Post on Social Media or Your Web Site: Tell people you are hiring an accountant. Someone may refer you to someone great.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Accountant?

The cost can depend on expertise, location and if you employ in-house or outsource your accounting:

The rough breakdown for the costs are.:

Type of Work	Average Cost
Basic bookkeeping	USD 30-USD 70 / hour
Tax preparation	USD 150-USD 500 / return
Business advisory	USD 100-USD 300 / hour
In-house accountant	USD 65,000-USD 90,000 / annum

This may sound pricey, but a great accountant can save you more than they charge by catching mistakes, filing taxes properly, and boosting cash flow.

How to Assess an Accountant Before You Hire Them

You wouldn’t want to hire somebody without checking references, right? Here is what you should assess in an accountant:

Ask for certifications: See which certifications they have, and see if they have a CPA as their credential. A general accountant or bookkeeper may be sufficient.
Test their Skills: Have them review a sample financial report or even solve a bookkeeping problem to test their skills.
Interview Thoughtfully: Ask them how they'd solve a particular issue like a cash flow shortage or tax planning. Listen to the way they explain things as it ought to be clear and useful.
Check References & Reviews: Ask former clients or employers. Were they reliable? Did they explain things well? Have there been any issues?

What Questions To Ask Before Hiring an Accountant

Here are some top questions to ask before hiring an accountant:

Did you work for businesses in my industry?
What accounting program are you using?
Do you provide year round support or just during tax season?
How do you charge - hourly, flat fee or retainer?
How can you interact with clients - mail, telephone, video calls?
Can you help with budgeting & forecasting?

These questions can help you discover someone that works as per your style and understands your business objectives.

Long Term Benefits of Hiring an Accountant

Still couldn’t decide? Here are some long-term perks to help you make the choice:

More business hours: More time for you to concentrate on what you do best - operating your business.
Less stress: No more guessing on taxes or cash flow.
Better financial choices: Accountants make numbers-based strategies.
Audit protection: A professional keeps your records clean and compliant.
Better profitability: An accountant can help with everything from cost-saving suggestions to tax strategies.

Final Thoughts

Managing your finances by yourself may work for a while. But as your business gets more complicated, you will need professional help. Whether you are a start up proprietor, an expanding business proprietor, or simply someone wanting to ensure you have your finances in control, hiring an accountant is usually the best choice.

It is not just about taxes - it is about a brighter and more stable financial future.

So, if you ever thought "Do I need an accountant", the answer is YES! Take the next step with The Fino Partners and employ an accountant today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

CPAs are skilled and offer services beyond tax planning, which includes bookkeeping and auditing. Their training enables them to become an invaluable asset to other tax preparers year- round.

At your first meeting, inquire about the CPA, how long he's worked with clients in your market, the way they prepare taxes, and also the way they deal with communication. Know their fee structure and services to see in case they're right for you.

Think about consulting with a CPA before year-end. Additionally, update your CPA on significant life changes like marriage, divorce or even retirement. Business owners should get advice before making significant purchases to fully grasp tax implications.

The cost depends upon the complexity of services ordered. Individual tax returns might be less costly than full business tax planning. Talk about the fees upfront in your introductory meeting to understand the anticipated costs.

The key questions are:

Have you got any licenses?
Who are your clients?
How large is your firm?
Who will do my work?
How do you work?
How will you value my business?

These questions establish the qualifications and suitability for your business.

Avoid these common issues:

Not verifying credentials.
Choosing by price alone.
Neglecting to define your needs.

Clear communication and understanding of services provided can help establish a successful partnership.

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Your Essential Guide to Finding and Hiring an Accountant

Why Do You Need An Accountant?

What Does an Accountant Actually Do?

1. Keep Track of Your Money (Bookkeeping)