The ideal candidate would be able to answer all of your questions. This applies especially for a business: make sure you find someone who has expertise in the tax laws that apply to your company. You can also check whether they have already worked for companies in your field. A good CPA needs to have a strategy that will save you money and have excellent problem-solving skills.

If your candidate seems to be matching the above requirements, you are heading in the right direction! However, remember that qualifications and knowledge will not necessarily satisfy all of your requests: if you are looking for an irreplaceable accountant, they must also have exceptional communication skills. If they are using mysterious accounting jargon when explaining something and you cannot understand a word they say, then they are not doing their job properly. Make sure they have good customer service skills too: you want someone who replies to your emails promptly and returns your phone calls as soon as possible.

Last but not least, listen to your intuition – and do background checks! Getting the accountant who is right for you is of the utmost importance. A lot can be learnt about someone from their accounts, so whether it is personal or for your business, you have to be able to fully trust them. If your instinct tells you something does not feel right – even if the candidate checks all of the other boxes, it would be best to look for someone else. If trust goes a long way, misplaced faith does too, and you might regret letting an unworthy person in.

There are hundreds of CPA’s out there and there is no doubt that you will find the right one for you. Even if you are in dire need, do not rush the process: your household and business deserve more than the average accountant. And, if you follow the above advice, you should be able to find a gem of an accountant.