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A good accountant prevents costly errors, catches opportunities you'd otherwise miss, and sets up systems that scale with your business. Use this checklist to find the right fit, structure the engagement, and get maximum value from every session.
Identify your specific need: bookkeeping, tax preparation, tax strategy, financial statements, payroll, or audit
These are distinct services requiring different credentials and expertise.
Gather your current books, prior-year returns, and any outstanding tax notices
Accountants can assess your situation accurately only with actual numbers in front of them.
Clarify your software: QuickBooks, Xero, Wave, or other platform
Switching accounting platforms mid-engagement is expensive and disruptive.
Determine whether you need ongoing support or a one-time project (e.g. tax filing, cleanup)
Shapes fee structure expectations — retainers vs. flat-fee projects are priced very differently.
Set a realistic budget — expect $75–$300/hr depending on credential and complexity
Knowing the range upfront prevents sticker shock and helps you scope the right service level.
Verify credentials: CPA for financial statements and audits, EA for tax issues, CMA for management accounting
Each credential has a specific legal scope — hiring the wrong type is a common and costly mistake.
Confirm they have clients in your industry and at your business stage
SaaS accounting, restaurant accounting, and e-commerce accounting each have distinct nuances.
Ask for 2–3 references from similar clients
Direct reference checks reveal reliability and communication patterns that reviews don't always surface.
Ask how they handle errors or missed filings — what is their correction process?
Mistakes happen; an accountant who has a clear correction protocol is far safer than one who avoids the question.
Agree in writing on deliverables, turnaround times, and revision limits
Scope disagreements are the leading cause of accounting relationship breakdowns.
Ensure all work is in formats you own and can edit (Excel, Google Sheets, standard file exports)
Your financial records must remain accessible and portable regardless of who prepared them.
Request a written summary of any tax positions taken or significant accounting decisions made
If audited or if you change accountants, you need to understand and be able to explain your own books.
Set a regular review cadence — monthly or quarterly — not just at year-end
Year-end surprises are almost always the result of insufficient mid-year monitoring.
Obtain copies of all filed returns, financial statements, and supporting workpapers
Your tax filings belong to you and are your responsibility — always have copies.
Request a transition memo if switching accountants: open items, filing calendar, key contacts
A clean handoff protects you from dropped deadlines when changing providers.
Ask about upcoming filing deadlines or estimated payment due dates before closing the engagement
Missing an estimated tax payment or an extension deadline is a common post-engagement error.
Provide a detailed review if the work was accurate and proactive
Good accountants are difficult to find — helping others find them benefits the whole community.
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The best accountants are proactive, not reactive. If your accountant only calls you when they need something and never flags opportunities or risks between filings, you're paying for compliance work but not getting strategy.
Clarify their availability during tax season (January–April) — will you be deprioritized?
Tax season crunch is when errors happen and when you most need your accountant responsive.
Ask proactively whether any new tax laws or rules affect your situation this year
Tax rules change every year — your accountant should be flagging changes that affect you, not waiting for you to ask.