No two individuals have precisely the same personal accounting needs. Depending on your work status – such as whether or not you own a business – how many children you have, whether or not you regularly contribute to charity, and a host of other factors, your day-to-day personal accounting requirements may be very different than someone else’s.
This is where the right certified public accountant (CPA) can make all the difference. Choosing the right financial professional may seem like an overwhelming task if you've never worked with an accountant. But don’t worry – we’re here to help.
Below, you’ll find the top seven questions you need to ask to find the right personal CPA for your lifestyle.
Some CPAs have spent their entire careers focusing on a specific niche. This means they are extremely good at what they do, but they may not be the right fit for every prospective client.
On the flip side, if you are looking for an accountant with a particular specialty, not all of the CPAs in your area will suit your needs.
Farmers, for example, often want CPAs who specialize in working with clients in the agriculture industry – a generalist who hasn’t ever worked specifically in this space probably won’t be the best option in this situation.
While most CPA firms, including AJCCPAs, offer services year-round, certain accountants only work during tax season. If you are only interested in getting help with your tax returns every year, this may work for you, but if you want personal accounting assistance all year, you’ll need to make sure you choose a firm that doesn’t close down after April 15.
As the world becomes increasingly digital, many people maintain financial records they don’t even realize they’re keeping – any purchase made with PayPal, Venmo, or another online wallet service, for instance, is automatically tracked and stored.
It’s still smart, though, to ask any CPA you’re considering hiring what records you should keep in regard to physical receipts, bank statements, and more.
Because many CPA firms have multiple accountants on staff, it is always wise to ask who will actually be working on your behalf. If, for example, different CPAs at the office have different specialties, you need to make sure you are paired with the right professional for your financial situation.
If there is a particular accountant you want to hire, don’t hesitate to ask – most tax and accounting firms are willing to accommodate new client requests!
Per the IRS, an Enrolled Agent (EA) is “a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards.”
EAs are required to complete an additional 72 hours of ongoing education every three years. Working with an Enrolled Agent is especially smart if you tend to have complex individual taxes.
In some cases, people’s careers dictate paying quarterly estimated taxes rather than annual taxes. As an example, since individuals who work as self-employed 1099 contractors pay both halves of social security, they often find that paying estimated taxes is an easier way to budget their money throughout the year.
If you are interested in learning more about paying quarterly taxes to the IRS, or if this is something you’ve already been doing, make sure your new CPA has experience in this area.
Some accountants bill their clients by the hour, while others charge a flat rate for various service packages. Depending on your needs, you might prefer one billing style over the other.
For instance, people who only need their individual tax returns prepared every year often like to pay a no-fuss flat fee. If you’ll have ongoing work for your CPA throughout the year, a professional who bills hourly might make more sense, though.
Getting answers to these questions will make the search for the right local CPA as stress-free as possible. Remember, this is an important decision, but the more you educate yourself first, the more confident you will feel that you’ve made the right choice for your financial future!
About Frank Jenkins Jr
Frank Jenkins Jr. CPA is the managing partner of Adams, Jenkins & Cheatham, a CPA practice based in Midlothian, VA. Frank specializes in Consulting services, tax planning, audit & assurances. "I genuinely care about our clients because I have a personal connection with them." He is active in the community and belongs to the AICPA and the VSCPA.
