If you’re in the market for a tax accountant, you may be a little confused about where to find one. There are several places around, but how do you find someone who’s reputable? You don’t want just anyone looking over your books and handling your finances. Here is the best way to find a tax accountant in your area.
Referrals
Referrals are going to be your best bet. Ask your friends and family where they visit, but don’t stop there. Ask co-workers, any acquaintances you may know, neighbors, attorneys, and more. Don’t be afraid to ask other businesses where they go for their bookkeeping needs as well. A good tax accountant will have people raving about their successes. As a suggestion, ask people who have a similar tax situation to yours for more accurate answers,.
Yelp
Yelp is a great place to look for good restaurants, but it’s also a great place to find listings of local accountants. If you’re lucky, you may find some with user reviews. Don’t be discouraged if someone doesn’t have many reviews; people are much more likely to complain about negative service than to brag about great service. Looking on Yelp can at least give you an excellent indication of who not to go to based on the reviews of those in your area. This is always better than going in blind.
Angie’s List
Like Yelp, Angie’s List is another website that can give you reviews of local services in your area, including accounting and bookkeeping services. This site isn’t free and membership fees will vary by area, but it’s a fantastic place to get reviews that are worthwhile. Plus, if you can’t find anything that is worth your money, you can request a refund from Angie’s List customer service. There is no downside.
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
The American Institute of Certified Public Accounts (AICPA) has a directory of CPAs who are designated as personal financial specialists. CPAs are excellent if you have a complex tax situation where knowledge of laws is essential. Simply input the city you live and your state. You also have the option of searching by your postal code. Should you need a CPA overseas, there are also international options. It will then list all tax accountants in your area!
National Association of Enrolled Agents
Similar to the AICPA website, the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) is an organization that lists only enrolled agents. Enrolled agents differ from CPAs because enrolled agents handle tax information only. These tax professionals also have more experience with the Internal Revenue Service than CPAs.
Enrolled agents must have worked for the IRS for five years or passed exams on tax codes and calculations. This is no easy feat. NAEA may be the place to go if you have a complex tax situation that needs a professional opinion. Their website also features bilingual enrolled agents.
