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When a business is at its early stage, it’s normal for the members to play different roles simultaneously. For example, you may see the business owner doing book maintenance work and other critical tasks.

While this might be easy work when the business is still small, as it grows, the bookkeeping task also increases. Not only will the workload increase but also the rules and regulations that everybody must abide by will also increase.

That’s why hiring a professional accountant, whether full-time or part-time, is essential, and this role isn’t something you can just handle frivolously. With so many people claiming to be experts, you may find it overwhelming to find a trustworthy assistant. The goal of this article is to help you screen the ideal candidate for your job.

Ask for Their California Tax Education Council Registration

It’s a set rule that any professionals, such as the Kelly Partners Accountants Burbank, who prepare or help with federal tax returns in exchange for money, must register with the California Tax Education Council. To find practicing professionals whose details are up to date, you can check the IRS directly, including CPAs, attorneys, and enrolled agencies.

The system will notify you if the account has completed the Annual Filing Season Program, an ongoing educational program that helps review federal tax laws and standards. Additionally, the Preparer Tax Identification Number is required to be included on tax returns filed on the business’s behalf.

Once you can’t find any of these finished documents, it means the credibility of the accountants you have in mind is a concern.

Check Online Directories

You may think PTIN is one essential document, but the truth is that’s just the bare minimum a reputable and certified accountant should have. Ideally, the accountant you should hire should be a certified public accountant or an enrolled agent. Still, other credentials will add to his dependability. For example, you can work with Kelly Partners Accountants Burbank and Kelly+Partners Accountants Burbank, who have completed an Accredited Business Account course where they are required to go through rigorous studies and exams. Hiring someone with satisfying credentials will give you the peace of mind of knowing that they are familiar with the historic and updated laws and are serious about their job.

Ask About their Memberships

Memberships are yet another way to certify whether an accountant is trustworthy or not. There are many accredited organizations, including the National Association of Tax Professionals and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. To join any of these groups, the account must follow a strict code of conduct and complete certain programs.

Be Wary About Overpromising and Underdelivering

Keep in mind that the people you are dealing with are financial wizards; therefore, be cautious during interviews. When a person makes big promises and refunds or deductions, be wary of such individuals, it’s a red flag.

Always be on your guard and ask them to show their past works. A true potential candidate will demonstrate his skills and expertise without boasting.

Ask For Referrals

Ask for referrals from friends and family who have conducted business with the account; if they enjoyed their services, then you can go ahead and hire them. You can also check online or social media platforms.

These are incredible screening tools. Someone who has delivered quality work to many people should be your top priority. You can review websites and check for positive feedback from previous clients.

Read https://www.wilmington.edu/news/20-qualities-traits-that-make-a-good-accountant to find out more about the traits of a reputable accountant.

Interview

At this rate, you should have a list of candidates you have narrowed down and be ready to make appointments and start interviewing them. Maybe you already have questions you have in mind that you want to ask. Whatever the case is, here are other essential questions you should include in your list.

Are you a CPA?
Can you legally practice in Los Angeles California
Where did you obtain your license from, and when
Who are your past clients, and what is their normal business size
Which school did you attend,d and have you ever attended any training before
What is your specialization
How much do you charge for your service

Create the questions based on your business-specific accounting needs. The last thing you want is to work with someone who will check all your other major boxes but doesn’t have the qualifications to handle something highly integral to your company.

Conclusion

There are certain things you should keep in mind when hiring a reliable accountant in Los Angeles, California. The first thing you should do is use their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) to ensure their data is up to date. Additionally, you should ask about their membership. You can ask for referrals from friends and family for someone reliable and qualified.