Accounting
How to hire an accountant
It would be easy to assume that businesses hire an accountant for their expertise in tax codes and number crunching. That’s really only half the story though, because a great accountant is also going to be an expert in business and how finance relates to your everyday operations. There are also human factors to consider such as honesty, communication and work ethics. So how do you find the right accountant to empower your business? Here’s an overview of what you can do to find, engage, and work with a great accountant.
How to shortlist accountant professionals
As proposals are submitted, you’ll need to vet the most promising accountants to create a shortlist of people you want to interview. Here are some points to look for:
- Professionalism. Which candidates tailored their submission to your specific project requirements? Do they seem to genuinely care about your needs? How is each candidate’s communication skills?
- Talent. Does each candidate’s Upwork Profile show a strong history of success? Do they have experience within your industry? Who is proficient with your current accounting software?
- Feedback. How have other clients described their relationship with each freelance accountant? Are there any that stand out?
How to write an effective job post for an accountant
The most important factor in you finding the perfect accountant is to create a detailed job post about your expectations. It should include general information about your business and your everyday needs, in addition to the exact accounting services that you require help with. The more information you provide, the smoother the process will go.
A few of the more important criteria to include in your job post are:
- Workflow: What task(s) will you need completed? Are they recurring?
- Communication: How will the accountant communicate with you?
- Technical: What’s your current process for bookkeeping? What software do you use?
- Background: Are there any additional industry requirements or unique challenges?
- Preference: What are some character traits or work backgrounds you’d like to see?
- Project Length: How long do you anticipate needing an accountant?
- Deadlines: Are there any impending timelines? When do will you start needing help?
FAQ Page
What does an accounting professional do?
An accounting professional can step in and handle many of the financial aspects of a business, freeing you up to focus on the daily operations. Accounting professionals can help with any of the following:
- Bookkeeping
- Preparing and filing taxes on time
- Analyzing financial records to check for inconsistencies and errors
- Providing a complete audit of your business to make sure your records are accurate and up to date
- Paying vendors, billing clients, managing post-due accounts, etc.
- Generating profit and loss statements, business reports, and monthly financial statements
- Market analysis
- Balancing bank accounts, recording forms of income and verifying deposits and other transactions
- Payroll and withholding taxes
How much does it cost to hire an accountant?
Are you hiring a freelance accountant for a one-off job (say, yearly taxes), a few hours a week, or for a more ongoing basis? Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions. Learn about the cost to hire an Accountant.
Interview questions to ask an accountant
The interview process is a great opportunity to learn about each accountant’s personal and professional skills. It is generally recommended to schedule an interview with at least three candidates in total, and preferably with one that is towards the higher end of the spectrum in terms of experience and billable rates. This gives you a baseline to judge the others by.
- Talk About Relevant Experience: Ask each accountant how much knowledge they have about your industry and softwares you use. If you have unique challenges that need attention, be sure to discuss them early in the interview as well.
- Ask about Actual Processes: Learning how the accountant processes paperwork, prepares taxes and balances books will give you a lot of insight into their ability to handle your accounts.
- Present a Real-World Scenario: Ask specific questions about your business that require a solution. By putting each contractor on the spot, you’ll have a better idea of how they respond to pressure.
- Measure your Comfort Levels: While each contractor’s skill levels are important, you ultimately want someone to build a professional relationship with. So don’t be afraid to get to know them a little bit.
Hopefully, after the first round of interviews are completed, you’ll have a good idea of which accountant makes the most sense for your business. If you’re still not sure though, feel free to conduct a second round of interviews to ask follow-up questions or to explore a relationship with other accountants.