Finding a CPA/Tax specialist... questions to ask?

[Soraya ( =]

Can anyone help me generate or find a list of questions to ask when "interviewing" CPAs to see if we want to hire them as advisers/tax time etc.?

We have determined that this is one area where we really could use some help. I do want to "keep our own books", but I would like to have someone I can confer with to make sure that I'm doing it right. So, how do I pick out a CPA? We have recently met several (thanks to the Chamber of Commerce event on Saturday and the networking meeting we attended this morning), and I want to talk to several of them BEFORE making our decision. Help?

 

[Alondraa]

Finding a CPA/Tax specialist... questions to ask?

Can anyone help me generate or find a list of questions to ask when "interviewing" CPAs to see if we want to hire them as advisers/tax time etc.?

We have determined that this is one area where we really could use some help. I do want to "keep our own books", but I would like to have someone I can confer with to make sure that I'm doing it right. So, how do I pick out a CPA? We have recently met several (thanks to the Chamber of Commerce event on Saturday and the networking meeting we attended this morning), and I want to talk to several of them BEFORE making our decision. Help?

I'd ask any collegues who they go to, and if they are happy with them.
That's all the advice I have right now

 

[Stupendous315]

good idea, and i plan on doing that. we don't know many other mt's we feel like we can trust here yet, though. there's one gal we met this morning (at the chamber meeting) we're going to be meeting with next week- i do plan on asking her!

 

[Pompal 09.]

That's a good point, Pete.... I wish we knew more SE folks here! I have been asking for months, but it seems that suddenly everyone's CPA's either died, moved, or went out of business.

I'm going to seek out the ones we have met and learned about through the Chamber. That membership's gotta be good for something other than oh-dark-thirty am coffee, right?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Many CPAs don't really "get" the massage business. Finding a good one with prior experience helping MTs is a good idea, if you can.

 

[wiemercats]

Another thing to ask: How much they charge and will it be for your personal and company taxes, or how will they structure it.

I have only been through 2 CPA's over the years. One suggested by a client. Ohter was one who did the taxes for a company a family member works for.

I prefer a flat fee, which both of my CPA's used/use.

 

[Randell]

Many CPAs don't really "get" the massage business. Finding a good one with prior experience helping MTs is a good idea, if you can.

Sure they do. You just have to understand how to speak their language.

When you meet with a prospective CPA, you should spend about 15 mins talking about your business and how it works, employees/ICs or other sources of income/expense what your legal structure is, etc.

then you should ask them about what other businesses they work with that have a similar business model -- highly variable demand, low % fixed costs, high % of cash customers, etc.

They will pretty quickly realize you are like the personal trainer, SP Chiro, and -- believe it or not -- independent redi-mix concrete companies.