CPAs are often trusted because of their accreditation, not because of what they can do.  This sounds harsh but is simply the truth. Taxes for a business are not equivalent to personal taxes. Like Medical professionals, each CPA can have a different “specialty” and not all are equal in their skillset. Here are insider tips from a CPA on what to look for in a CPA: 

1. Knowledge about your area of business- A lot of CPAs are general practitioners when it comes to tax. They tend to know a little about a lot. Most business owners should rely on a CPA who processes multiple returns for the area of business they operate in. You wouldn’t go to a general practitioner for a heart attack. You would go to a specialist. It’s the same with your taxes. In Real Estate it is beneficial to look for someone who has either invested in Real Estate or processed returns for Real Estate investors. If you are having to explain to a CPA what a flip is, it is most likely not a good fit for you. This will be the case in just about every type of business you may run and bring to your CPA. If you find yourself with multiple businesses in very different fields, it is not uncommon to consult with multiple CPAs.
2. Accessibility- Your business will be operating 12 months out of the year. You should have an accountant that does the same and is not just seasonal. Just like in a competitive sport, there is the Offensive strategy and the Defensive strategy. It is no different in your taxes. Most people or businesses only focus on the Defensive strategy by getting in line, waiting their turn and simply getting through the brutal process of filing their taxes each year, hoping the damage isn’t too bad. The savvy business owner takes matters into their own hands and works with their CPA to create an Offensive strategy to lower their tax exposure each year. The more tax planning that is done throughout the year, the better result there will be come tax time.
3. Drop the friends and family- Having a friend or cousin or a cousin’s cousin do your taxes is common. Is it smart? That depends on their level of experience and how well they can look at you as a client as opposed to a friend. A good CPA will always look out for you from a financial perspective first opposed to the personal relationship. The IRS will not bring emotion into the conversation when it comes to what they think you owe; it will just be numbers. You must return the favor with a similar response and take the emotion out of taxes and the relationships involved in preparing them. This is shocking but is beneficial.
4. Offers tax and audit support- Planning for your taxes and planning for an audit should go hand in hand. Most business owners fear the IRS, and rightfully so. The fear usually stems from not knowing what can trigger an audit. You want to use a CPA who knows what they are doing with taxes in your field of business and will at the very least have a defense for an audit in the back of their head while doing taxes. This is not to say you will be audited but sometimes with taxes it is not bad to plan for the worse. By planning for the worst, you have a chance to take control of some of that fear that that IRS may hold over you. 
5. Offers tax planning- A lot of clients we deal with grow accustomed to only seeing a CPA come tax time. This is less than ideal. Once April hits, a CPAs creativity is almost depleted. Make sure you get a CPA that will offer tax planning and strategy opposed to only tax preparation. Questions such as “Why do I owe so much?” or “What could I have done?” are already too late for most accountants. The questions should revolve around what is projected to happen or what is happening. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
6. Someone you can communicate with- CPAs are known to be introverts. Make sure they speak your language before you commit. Communication is key. Some CPAs do not know how to communicate with regular people. This causes business owners to dread appointments opposed to enjoying them.
7. Interview them and ask questions- Some questions that are pivotal for CPAs to answer are:
   •  Are you up to date and stay up to date on the current IRS tax code for business owners?  (these tax laws can change every year, if not multiple times in a year. Knowing how these laws effect your business can make a big difference.)
   • Are you looking for a long term or short-term client? (depending on how they answer could mean you may be looking for a new CPA in the near future)
   • What percentage of your database is business owners compared to just personal tax returns? (remember, experience is huge when filing business taxes. Work with someone who already knows the laws)
   • Do you have referrals? (social proof from fellow filers can create comfort in your choice)
   • Are there hidden fees such as billable hours? (you will find out one way or another…either upfront or when you get the bill. This is not the kind of surprise people like)
   • What’s your normal game plan for an audit? (this is part of your Offensive strategy)
   • Are you comfortable helping someone in my situation? (It is best to know right up front and save yourself the time and energy. If the CPA knows your situation and says they cannot help, this is okay. This allows you to quickly move on to someone who can help)
   • Are you aggressive, moderate, or conservative when it comes to my taxes? (find someone who matches your level of comfort in filing taxes. Finding a match will make the process much smoother)

If your business is just starting, trending upwards, or has plateaued a CPA will be a vital part of your team.  Taxes are one of the largest expenses a business will ever have. It is pivotal to plan, prepare, and prioritize that expense. An accountant is able to ask questions that will lead you down a correct tax path opposed to fumbling through it.