When you happen to have a firm, you need a range of different skill sets to help you meet your objectives. In the early stages, it’s likely that you had to wear multiple hats and carry out most of these tasks on your own. However, as time progresses and your firm expands, it’s only normal to need more hands on deck. One of the employees you’re likely to need is an accountant as they help keep your books in order. This is crucial to the survival of any firm as, without the right finances, your business is likely to crash. Here is how you can find an accountant for your firm.
Decide on Your Needs
The first thing that you should do when looking for an accountant is make a list of what you need. Think about whether you want to use an accounting firm, freelance accountant or get somebody on board full time. Here are a few other things to look out for.
Fees: The first thing you want to think about when choosing an accountant is fees. Look at your business budget and determine what you can afford. It’s always good to look around so that you get the best rate.
Specialty: It is worth considering an accountant’s areas of expertise before making a final decision. Consider what your firm's needs are and whether your prospective accountants are competent or experienced enough to meet your needs.
Certification: Aside from the mentioned, certification also needs to be checked before hiring an accountant. They should ideally be a CPA so that you know they’ve been through necessary training and can do the job.
Ask for Referrals
When you’re looking for an accountant, sometimes it’s best to ask for a referral. This can be a shortcut for many, as you have more confidence in their ability to perform, especially if they’re referred by someone that you trust. Let them know what type of accountant that you’re looking for whether it be part-time or full-time and take it from there.
Use SEO on Your Website
Another idea to try when hunting for an accountant is making the best use of your website. If you know anything about SEO, then you probably know that the people that are looking for you online are able to find you easier when your site is optimized. If you don’t have a company website, then you should check out websites for lawyers as they specialize in creating sites for law firms. They can also help make sure your site is well optimized and people, especially high-quality job seekers, can find your firm online easier.
Personality
The last tip for finding an accountant for your firm is looking at their personality. Before bringing someone into your team, you want to be sure that they’re a good fit, even if it’s on a freelance basis. Use their references, look at their track record and ask as many questions as possible during the interview process. Also, evaluate their style, competency, and compatibility by asking how they would handle specific situations.