As a business owner, you probably appreciate the wisdom in engaging the services of a professional firm for your company’s accounting and tax needs.
And the very-best accounting firms offer a full range of services, from start-up to exit strategy, and everything in between.
Bookkeeping… periodic financial reporting that drives key business decisions… tax planning and filing… payroll… you name it. The best accountants can do it all.
But while a good accountant can provide you with the full suite of accounting and tax services, a great CPA is distinguished by the ability (and willingness) to customize their accounting services to those your business really needs.
And can afford!
It’s a smart move to make sure you’re getting exactly what you need from your business’s accounting firm. No more, and no less.
How Well Does Your CPA Know Your Business?
Maybe you’ve heard the expression, “When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”
That’s certainly true when it comes to many accounting firms.
In most cases, your accounting firm is well-intended, and they’re looking to help you solve problems and keep your business running smoothly.
But they only know accounting, and many firms will only offer you a “package” of accounting and tax services designed as a “one size fits all” business solution.
Does your business really need that whole collection of services?
It’s great when your accounting firm has the “chops” to offer the entire suite of services. But one easy way to tell the good from the great is to explore which firm seeks best to understand your specific business… and then has the willingness and ability to tailor their services to meet your real needs.
Meet with a “good” accountant, and you’ll quickly find they have a lot to tell you.
Things like what they’ve learned about the latest developments to the tax code, and what you should be doing about them.
They’ll tell you about the other accounts they’re servicing, and about the money they’re saving their clients.
They’ll tell you all about their firm’s expertise… essentially, they’ll report to you about how much they know about their business.
But you’ll know you’re meeting with a great accountant when they do more asking than telling.
Great accountants ask a lot of questions, and do a lot of thinking before they recommend a particular offering of services for your business.
How long have you been in business? Who do you see as your ideal customer – what’s the nature of your market? What’s your overall budget… what accounting services can you cover in-house… and what are your long-range plans for the company?
A great accountant wants to get to know your business – as thoroughly as possible – before suggesting how their firm might best serve your specific needs.
A great accounting firm is a one-stop shop… but they customize their services to the specific needs of your business. Make an appointment with your accountant today, and explore whether you’re getting exactly the combination of accounting and tax services your firm needs. And as your business grows, you’ll want to continue making sure you’re getting just the right fit.