Keeping your financials in the best shape possible is a vital goal for your business. This not only helps you remain in compliance, but also gain the insight you need to make important business decisions. When you understand your revenue and your debts, you’ll have more peace of mind knowing what steps to take today and what to plan for in the future.
In some small businesses, the company president or owner handles these tasks. However, in most cases, it falls into the hands of an accountant, CPA or controller. So when you’re looking to hire one that will help keep your bottom line healthy and strong, what should you look for? Here are some tips to keep in mind when hiring experienced professional accountants:
Identify your needs.
In other words, do you simply require someone to help with basic bookkeeping? Or are you looking for an auditor for your records and to advise you on ways to save? Or perhaps there are issues with back taxes and you need help from a CPA. There are so many different kinds of professionals and levels of skills and abilities in accounting and it’s therefore important to first know what you’re looking for and the areas where you need help.
Consider an accounting firm.
If you’re not quite ready to bring in a full-time accounting professional, another avenue is to find an accounting firm you can trust. When you create a long-term business partnership with one, you’ll have access to the help, guidance and insight you need from experts you can count on.
Carefully vet candidates you’re considering hiring.
This means going well beyond their resume and interview performance. It’s critically important to conduct a background check, as well as to reach out to several business and personal references. After all, this is the person who will have a hand in the financials of your company and you need to ensure they have a solid track record along with strong ethics.
Look for any specialty skills or abilities.
For instance, if there’s a particular software program that your company uses, then it’s important for the accountant you hire to have experience in it. In addition, if you’re in a specialty industry, then candidates who already work within that field are going to get up and running faster with your firm.
Evaluate their personal and soft skills.
When it comes to accounting, the right professional has to be more than good at crunching numbers. It’s important for them to be flexible, manage their time wisely, pay close attention to detail and be able to articulate and communicate about numbers. During the interview process, identify which soft skills are most important for your position, and then ask candidates to give examples that demonstrate them.
Get professional help hiring experienced professional accountants.
Whether you’re looking for a mid-level accountant, a CPA or a practice accountant, Provisional Recruiting can help you find and hire the best-fit professionals. Contact us today to learn more!