Time to Hire a Professional Accountant for Your Small Business?

It's hard to find the time to look
for an accountant who is suitable.
Here's how to get the right CPA
for your growing company.

It's hard to find a good accountant—so hard, in fact, that it has become something of a running joke in the small business world.

Q: What's the definition of an accountant?
A: Someone who solves a problem you didn't know you had in a way you don't understand.

Okay, so maybe that's not entirely fair! But as with most humor there's a grain of truth to the joke. Most small businesses choose an accountant -- either hiring a "numbers person" on staff or hiring accounting services on a contract basis -- when a business' financial challenges have become too great to handle without expert help. Maybe you want to better the financial function of your business. Or perhaps your accounting software isn't providing the type of data you need to grow your business. Having trouble switching from cash to accrual accounting? Are your financial statements inaccurate or incomplete? These are all good reasons to look for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

When is it time? It all depends on the size of the company. If you're a small business owner and find yourself sitting in front of QuickBooks wondering where to begin, that's a good indication that it's time to find someone knowledgeable.

Inside or Outside Accountant? Before you can find the right accountant, you need to determine if you need an accounting firm or an inside accountant.

• Hiring an outside accountant or accounting firm on a consulting basis is usually a good first step for a growing business. The outside firm can often cost less than the salary and benefits of a full-time employee and, at the same time, you may be getting a higher level of advice from a CPA or a tax accountant, the latter of whom usually is a licensed CPA and a lawyer specializing in tax law.
• When the business grows in revenue and the transactions become more complicated, it is time to consider hiring a full- or part-time inside accountant. Since the outside accountant's fee grows with the size of the business, the owner may see some cost savings by bringing some of the work in-house.

READ MORE >> Inc.com: How to Choose an Accountant for Your Business 

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