How to hire an accountant that fits your company and budget

As we’ve seen, companies must know the skills they need and assess candidates to ensure they measure up. However, most HR teams don’t possess the knowledge of an experienced accountant, making it hard to filter candidates. However, with a bit of planning, it’s not hard to find a small business accountant (or even one for a large corporation!). Before advertising the role or inviting candidates to interviews, you need to choose the correct type of accountant and whether you even need an accountant at all. Once you’ve decided on the best accountant or accounting firm for the job, it’s time to begin onboarding them to your business.

First, you’ll need to determine what functions you want an accountant to assist with, as well as how often you’ll require their services. Start by making a list of priorities—the items that need attention right away, and the ones that will need to be addressed within six months. Next, you’ll have to pick if you want to work with an independent accountant or an accounting firm. Come tax season, you can always partner with an accountant or CPA solely for tax preparation. Just be sure to supply them with well-organized financial records from the year. Invest the time to maintain orderly books upfront so taxes go smoothly.

How to hire an accountant for your startup.

Accounting software isn’t a full replacement for an accountant, but it can make your business finances far easier to manage. Take your time shopping around, utilize free trials where available, and don’t ever feel that you’re locked in. Still, you’ll want to put a few guidelines in place during onboarding. First, determine how you plan on measuring your accountant’s success, and ensure you’re both on the same page.

Ethics and integrity also matter, especially in areas regulated by SOX or GDPR. To attract top-tier talent, ensure you’re talking about more than just the role requirements. But also mention the company culture, inclusion initiatives, and employee benefits. Audit functions add an extra layer of assurance for small business owners in particular.

Accountants can save you time and prevent costly mistakes.

But once expansion begins to start, don’t delay on finding a good accountant who will keep your best interests in mind. A search for “small business accountant” will net thousands of results, and attempting to wade through them all would be a challenge. Start by crowdsourcing and asking other small business owners who they use and trust with their finances. Once you have several names, complete some internet research on their background and experience, and read any available reviews.

Bookkeeping focuses more on the daily financial operations of an organization, which includes recording transactions, reconciling statements and managing payroll. That’s why financial experts with full-time accountant experience design our accountant skills tests. Test creators know how to produce statements, comply with tax laws, and handle the demands of day-to-day operations. While opting to hire a small business accountant will cost you money, it can also save you a lot in the long run. Unless you are a CPA who is up to date on tax laws, you’re likely missing out on deductions and other small biz benefits.

What is an accountant?

Their tax knowledge, coupled with the financial planning they bring to the table, will likely help your business in the short and long term. While accountants tend to have the financial how to hire an accountant knowledge required for bookkeeping, accountants provide a more strategic analysis of your business. Hiring an accountant is an in-depth process that requires several steps.

Small business accountants have the knowledge to not only guide you through hidden deductions and pesky forms, they will also provide solid advice about planning and projections. Read on to find out how to find a reputable small business accountant. This will help you decide which accounting software meets your needs best. The first step in hiring an accountant is identifying what level of financial help you need. Review your financial records and cash flow to see what state they’re in.

tips for using skills assessments to hire an accountant

As a successful small business owner, you’re likely always looking out for the next big step for your business. Investing in securities products involves risk and you could lose money. Brex Treasury is not a bank nor an investment adviser and your Brex business account is not an FDIC-insured bank account.