The right accountant can
minimize your tax bill and find ways to save you money throughout the year. But what makes a good accountant — and where can you find
one? Don't waste your time with the Yellow Pages or
the Internet. Instead, use your networking skills and talk to others about
their experiences with accountants. Ask professionals you know and trust —
lawyers, bankers and other small business owners — for referrals. Once you've compiled a list of prospects, interview them.
Structure your questions carefully and consider these issues:
- Small business
focus Look
for an accountant who has worked with businesses similar to yours. Ask
your prospects to describe their client base in terms of income, assets and business type. An accountant who performs
wonders for a restaurant owner may not work the same magic with your
antique dealership's bottom line.
- Tax focus Your
accountant should know small business tax law inside and out and keep up
with frequent tax law changes.
- Service A human
calculator won't help you much. You want an
accountant who's willing to get to know your
business and its particular needs — not someone who just completes
forms, files your information away and forgets you. Hire someone you'll feel comfortable calling for advice.
- Fees Ask your
prospects for their hourly billing rate and what they expect to charge
you for specific tasks, such as completing annual tax returns, helping with
payroll issues and preparing financial reports.
- Insurance Make sure you
hire an accountant that carries liability or errors and omissions
insurance. This will compensate you for damages if your accountant makes
an error.
- References Have each
accountant provide you with names and phone numbers of three former or
current clients. Contact each reference.
- Communication If you can't understand an accountant's jargon, it's a
pretty safe bet you're never going to understand what he or she is doing
with your tax return.
Providing
Quality Tax Services at Reasonable Rates for Over Twenty Years
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Edward J. Barker, CA
Savoy Theatre Building
747 2nd Avenue East, Suite 4
Owen Sound, Ontario
Canada N4K 2G9
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Edward J. Barker, CA
Dundee Private Investors
243 Ste. Marie Street
Collingwood, Ontario
Canada L9Y 3K6
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Tel: (519) 371-1648
FAX: (519) 371-5802
Toll free: (800) 634-5537
Mobile: (519) 372-5862
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Tel: (705) 444-7755
FAX: (705) 444-6297
Toll Free: (800) 634-5537
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