How to Hire the Right Tax Accountant for You

Hiring the right accountant for your tax needs may be necessary, but isn’t the easiest job in the world. In fact, hiring someone that you not only trust, but that you trust to execute the filing of your taxes correctly can be a very stressful process. Here are just a few questions to ask when hiring a tax accountant:

What’s Your Experience with the IRS?

While being certified by the IRS is not a necessity, it can play a pivotal role in your tax filing, especially in cases in which you need an extension on certain deadlines. What’s more, some accountants may have bad reputations with the IRS for falsifying information, and these accountants might be more likely to put your taxes in danger of being audited.

Are You an Aggressive Accountant?

When it comes to tax accounting, you want to make sure you hire someone who is aggressive and knows all the tips and tricks about what items to write off and what items to deduct. A passive accountant won’t always look for the best tax breaks for you, but an aggressive accountant can identify legitimate tax breaks to help ensure that you are taking full advantage of the tax opportunities available to you.

What Types of Clients Do You Generally Work With?

Knowing what types of clients are in your tax accountant’s portfolio can let you know from the beginning if he or she is equipped to work with you and your business. While an accountant does not necessarily need to have experience in your industry, having previous knowledge does make things a bit easier.

Image credit: Alan Cleaver