50 Questions to Ask while Interviewing an Accountant
What licenses do you have?
How long have you been in accounting?
How long have you run your own accounting business?
Who are your other clients?
How do you calculate your fees?
Do you have any specialties?
Do you have experience with freelance independent contractors?
How many accountants are in the firm?
Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
Can I see the results of your accounting firm’s peer review report? (normally done every three years)
Do you consider yourself to be tech-savvy?
Are you active in the local business community?
Do you outsource any of your work? Do you perform the work personally? If not, what is the review process?
Will the person I deal with change? Will I get a regular person to discuss my finances with?
Are your services standardized (packages) or do you offer customized services based upon my business needs?
Can you help me with 1099s & dealing with subcontractors?
Can you help me set up a good balance sheet and income statement?
How do you feel about teaching your clients about finance?
What was the last accounting workshop you attended about? How often do you attend continuing education?
Can I write off my new iphone? (probably) How about my business suit? (only if it qualifies as a uniform – has to have branding etc…)
How long from when I call can I usually get an appointment to see you in person?
Can I call you when I have a question? Do you answer questions by email?
Do you have the knowledge and experience to handle my tax situation?
Have you ever worked with a home-based business?
What new changes in the tax laws will affect me this year?
What type of retirement accounts are available to me? How would you recommend I use them to my advantage?
How will you help me maximize my tax savings? How do you double-check that?
How long, approximately, will it take to finish my taxes?
Who is your target client?
What do you love most about what you do?
What’s your privacy policy? Will you share my information with any third-parties?
Based on your experience, what form of business structure should I have?
What do you think of turbo tax?
What makes a good accountant in your opinion?
Do you know how to use ________ (your preferred accounting software)? In your opinion, is this the right software for my business? Why?
What happens if I get audited?
Have you ever been the accountant to someone being audited?
Do you personally know the local IRS auditors?
What are some of the common problems you’ve worked through with other companies in my business industry?
What specific deductions apply to me (childcare tax credits, educational credits…)?
Have you ever worked directly with a client’s financial planner? What issues did that cause, if any?
What are some of the things I need to be aware of as my business grows?
How does your firm handle setting up and guiding me through estimated tax payment?
What is the difference between a good accountant and a bad accountant?
Do you do your own accounting?
Without giving specific personal details, what is one of the biggest messes you have encountered and how were you able to help?
Do you provide bookkeeping? Payroll? What other services do you offer?
What records should I keep and how do you recommend I organize them?
Why should I use you?
Is there a question I should have asked that I didn’t?
Sursa: http://tri.be/how-to-pick-a-good-accountant/
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