When you are looking for a new accountant for your business, you need to give it the proper attention and care.  After all, accountants play a very vital role in the success of your company and help you reduce the amount of stress and headaches you can suffer from, when running a business.

An important part of the search for a good accountant is the interview process.  This is your opportunity to learn all the crucial information you need to make sure a particular individual is the right candidate for the job.  In the following article therefore, you will find 8 questions you should include in the interview process to weed out the wheat from the chaff:

Can They Explain Things Using Language You Understand?

This question is important to ask, because you should always be honest with the level of understanding you have when it comes to finances and accounts.  There are a lot of people who feel embarrassed that they do not understand the lingo and terminology that accountants often use.  You will have a much better working relationship with your accountant if they understand from the get-go what you do and do not understand; as they will be able to explain the things you don't understand using non-accounting words and phrases.

What Kinds Of Accounting Do You Specialize In?

It is important to ask about the kind of accounting individuals specialize in, as it can help you figure out whether they will be able to meet the needs of your business.  For instance, if you need an accountant who can track your finances on an ongoing basis and provide information and advice; an accountant whose strong suite is once-a-year tax returns, will not be a good fit for your business.

Do You Have References?

You should always ask potential accountants for references from other clients they have worked with.  Call the referees and ask them the good points and bad points of working with the accountant.  You can even explain what you are looking for from an accountant to see if, with their experience of working with them, that accountant would be a good match for the work you need done.

How Do You Calculate Your Pricing?

The majority of people prefer to work with accountants who bill for their services using "value pricing".  This means that you are charged for every minute the accountant works on your finances.  If you want to be free to call your accountant without being billed by the minute or hour; you should look for accountants who charge via "implemented value pricing".

What Modern Technology Do You Use?

It may be hard to believe, but there are accountants out there who still use DOS.  You need to ask what kind of technology they use for their work, because there are many great benefits to using modern technology for accounting.  If your accountant does not use cloud technology, for instance, they may not be able to stay as up to date and accurate as someone else.

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