How to Find an Accountant for Your Small Business

Every business should have an accountant (bookkeeper) on their team. Ideally, you want to have an accountant on board before you need one—and not after you get an unwelcome tax notice from the IRS. Your accounting system is a foundational piece of your business. When it’s set up correctly, things flow smoothly, and you avoid potentially costly errors.

We get it. There’s a lot of ground to cover when you’re just starting your business. So many details! Instead of trying to do it all at once, make a list of everything you need to do and prioritize that list. 

But wait. Do you even need to work with an accountant? 

Yes. You need an accountant if you’re setting up your accounting software, need regular access to reliable financial statements and data, or you’re creating financial goals for your company that you absolutely want to stick to.

You might ask, “I’m a new business owner and can’t afford to hire an accountant right now. What should I do?”

That’s a great question and one that many new small business owners ask. As a new business, you may find that you have more time than money, and that’s pretty normal. It may seem daunting to take on certain expenses in the beginning, but the goal is to have enough revenue to cover those expenses and then some—as quickly as possible. When you have the time to work on your business (and bring in more clients), you’ll reach that goal a lot faster. But suppose you’re spending most of your time and energy working on the administrative side of your business. In that case, it takes away from the client-building activities that could propel your business in the direction you want to go in.

To ease the pain of not having enough money to work with an accountant at the start of your business, consider including the cost of one as part of initial funding or capital for startup costs. Begin to budget by talking to accountants now. This helps you get an idea of their fees for the level of service you need for your business. 

You might also wonder what an accountant can do for you. They don’t just reconcile your bank and credit card accounts each month.

You can lean on  your accountant to:

• Review every tax deduction for your business
• Give guidance on reaching and maintaining a healthy cash flow level
• Discover outstanding invoices
• Provide accurate financial reports if you need to secure a loan or bring on investors, and more. 

Impressive, we know. You totally want an accountant now, don’t you? Yeah, we think they’re pretty cool too. Now let’s dig into some practical and straightforward tips to get the needle moving on your new business.

The top three steps to a successful startup phase for your business include:

1. Get your business registered with your state or the federal government. If you file as a Sole Proprietorship or an LLC, you file with your state’s secretary. Hint: “Google [your state] + secretary of state” to pull up their site quickly. If you’re filing an S-corp or a C-corp, you’ll file federal forms with the government. Your CPA or a legal services company can help you get the correct forms signed, sealed, and delivered.
   
   
   
2. Have your accounting software set up by an accountant specialized in that software. If you don’t have experience in accounting and setting up software for your financial data, it’s totally okay to admit it! But this one is best left to the experts (unless you’re an accountant reading this, then go forth and get that software set up just right)! It’s is such a critical piece of your business that it is best to leave it to people who do it day in and day out. If you’re up for the potential gargantuan task, go for it.
   
   
   
3. Set up your payroll if you have employees. As soon as you hire your first employee, you’ll need to have your payroll system in place. We can help with that. Symply simplifies complex payroll and hiring processes, so you don’t have to do any guesswork with all the rules. Our team has managed small business payroll for twenty years. We’ve got you covered. Find out more about our payroll services here. 
   

Read more: How to Set Up Payroll for Your Small Business in 9 Steps.

All the to-dos aren’t fun, but they’re a lot more fun than going through a tax audit. Having your information filed and your systems set up correctly from the start is the best way to audit-proof your business. Take the time to do it now and save yourself a potentially stressful situation later.

When everything’s up and running smoothly, you’re not only doing things correctly, but a good system saves you hours a week on administrative and manual tasks. This means more time with your family and friends, and for yourself. We call that a win/win!

Finding the right accountant for your small business is easy, but it can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. There are lots of choices out there. To help in your search, we’ve got five proven and effective options to get you paired with your perfect accountant fast.

Here are six simple options to help with your search:

Option 1 - Ask people you know. Do you know small business owners working with an accountant they love? Ask for an introduction. And to make it super easy breezy for you, save this one-liner and use it to ask everyone you know: 

“Hey, I’m looking for an accountant who works with [industry]. Do you know anyone? I’d love to connect with someone you recommend!” 

Option 2 - Check your accountant software directory. Many accountants certify in accounting software, such as QuickBooks or Xero. Check your software’s online directory to find an accountant that already knows your system. Many directories allow you to search locally, which is a huge plus if you want to work with someone you can meet with in person occasionally.

Option 3 - Ask your CPA. Your CPA is a reliable referral source and can recommend someone they trust to handle your bookkeeping. Yes, CPAs are super busy (especially during tax season), but they’re also well connected and work hard to maintain reliable referral sources for their clients. If you’re already working with a great CPA, ask them who they know with the same style and approach. This is a sure-fire way to find a great accountant for your small business!

Option 4 - Get in touch with your local business centers to ask for referrals. You can choose from a nearby Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), or a local Chamber of Commerce group. Each of these groups has plenty of referrals within the financial industry. You may have to join a membership to be a part of select groups, so double check before you dive in. SCORE, for example, has free mentoring that can be a lifeline for a new business owner. This is definitely something to consider if you feel like the pieces just aren’t falling into place as you get your business off the ground.

Option 5 - Do a local Google search and scour reviews. Before deciding on any accounting firm, it’s a good idea to read their latest Google reviews. People leave honest feedback about their experiences in reviews. This is where you can sort through and select the options you have for the right accountant for you.

Option 6 - Engage with online business communities and forums. There are numerous social media groups, Slack channels, platforms, and Reddit Communities that allow businesses to connect with other business professionals. In the Small Business subreddit, you can ask for advice and referrals from other owners, share your experiences. On certain occasions, you can promote your business and learn about new ones. We discovered two new bookkeepers in a single Reddit thread—Fat Cat Bookkeeping & Margin Wall—  and a B2B collaboration platform, Enterprise League.

Doing any of these six search options guarantees, you’ll have plenty of choices for the accountant you end up with. Then, you get to enjoy the peace of mind of having an accountant always looking out for the financial health of your business. 

Keep in mind that hiring an accountant is, hopefully, a long-term engagement. As your business grows, your accountant will have a unique insight and opportunity to guide you along the way. So go with someone because they’re a good fit for you long-term and not because they’re the most affordable option right now.

Once you’ve narrowed down a few potential accountants, it’s essential to know how to evaluate them as a good fit for your business. 

First, book a consultation where you can get to know them, and they can get to know you. Next, don’t be afraid to ask questions. They’re here to help you, and you should never feel scared or intimidated to ask any questions that come to mind. You may not be comfortable talking about money now (it is a personal thing, after all), but you’ll get better with practice. Talk to as many accountants as you need until you feel comfortable with the experience. 

Finally, get a feel for their processes and how they communicate with clients. Communication can make or break a working relationship, so be sure that you’re on board with how they like to communicate—that could be through Slack, Zoom, email, or by phone only. Having this information upfront saves headaches and frustration down the line.

Now you know the exact steps to take to bring an accountant on board. But what happens if you put your bookkeeping on the back burner?

We know that an accountant is an essential part of your team. Not only are they making sure your transactions (and financial statements) are correct, but they’re able to guide you through any outstanding items in your business setup. They also make sure that you understand the financial health of your business, and if you struggle with something, they can help you streamline operations so that you get to have the bottom line you deserve for all your hard work. 

Do you know someone who needs help with their bookkeeping? Share this article to support their search for the right accountant. There’s nothing quite like the sweet relief of your finances being cared for ’round the clock. That’s the peace of mind every business owner deserves.