Top Five Things To Look For When Hiring A Tax Accountant
It is a well-known fact that filing your taxes can be a hassle. Filing on your own to save a few hundred dollars could lead to an error that could cost you thousands of dollars, or at the very least, cause you to miss out on some lucrative tax exemptions and benefits.
Hiring a tax accountant can help you avoid mistakes while getting the most out of your tax return. Based on your unique situation, a tax accountant will know which costs are tax-deductible, which exemptions you qualify for, and which benefits you're eligible to receive from the government.
Making a decision as crucial as finding someone who can provide proper accounting advice during every stage of your venture or life can be quite a challenge. You need to find someone who understands your concerns and simplifies tax jargon, which will allow you to have a firm grip on your business or personal financial state.
An accountant should communicate well, help you strategize, and maximize your business or personal finances while ensuring that you're within the law.
If you’re looking for a tax accountant who will help you analyze and maximize your finances, here’s a list of the top five things to look for:
1. Integrity is essential for a tax accountant.
Honesty or integrity is the greatest virtue in any business and more so in the tax profession. A tax accountant will be privy to certain details of your business, which very few people will know. It is essential that they don’t misuse their knowledge. They should be honest and upfront with their clients, other businesses, and tax authorities.
2. Punctuality is the key.
A tax accountant has to be punctual, whether they are meeting with you at your office or filing your tax returns. Keep in mind that late filing of tax returns attracts penalties and interest. As a business owner, you will be occupied with day-to-day activities, trusting your finances to your accountant. Ensure they prioritize punctuality to represent you well.
3. Ensure completion of a task.
When it comes to matters about tax, a halfway complete task is as bad as a task that hasn’t been done at all. Incomplete returns can invite penalties from the administration. At times, businesses are saddled with incomplete tax filings, which are decades old. Therefore, a tax accountant should give high priority to ensuring that every task is completed, on time.
4. Every task should be double-checked before filing.
Your accountant isn’t competent if every task is not checked and re-checked before it is filed. A professional tax accountant will always double check. Doing so is crucial as they may find errors in their work, which if left unchecked, could cause problems for their client.
5. Communication.
You should be able to easily contact your accountant through email, phone, or text and receive a response within a reasonable time frame. In addition, it's important that your accountant can translate tax and accounting language into terms you understand.
If you’re looking for a tax accountant in Frederick, Bethesda, Gettysburg, Rockville, Baltimore, Aberdeen, Columbia, Essex, Glen Burnie, Odenton, Towson, Pasadena, White Marsh and surrounding areas, reach out to Edrien Inc.. We provide an array of tax-related services including accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, tax returns, tax filings, and notary. In addition, we also offer immigration consultation services. To learn more about the services we offer, please click here. To get in touch with us, please click here.