How to Find the Right Los Angeles CPA

If you are just starting your own business or need proper accounting in the greater Los Angeles area, finding the best certified public accountant (CPA) is a must. While accounting software may help keep your costs in check, the advantages of hiring a reputable Los Angeles CPA cannot be underestimated. A CPA does more than crunch the numbers, they plan your finances so you can build towards your goals.

But how do you go about hiring the right CPA for your needs? The answer will depend on your current situation, what assets you have, and where you are planning to go over the next five, ten, to twenty years and longer. Where you are at today is the starting point for hiring a Los Angeles CPA tomorrow. What follows are the basic services that a CPA provides for you and your business.

Auditing

Proper auditing services are most associated with loans, such as those you receive from the bank. An audit is normally a requirement, so having a good Los Angeles CPA conduct this service is a smart move. From preparing financial statements to conducting a full-scale audit of the books that may include a third-party provides peace of mind knowing that your company’s financial information is complete and accurate.

Bookkeeping

What a typical CPA is known for, keeping proper records and basic accounting practices are the heart of their services. This means as a business owner you have up to date records of your finances. This provides you with the ability to make the best-informed decisions quickly when it comes to your business.

Basic accounting services are the heart of what a reputation Los Angeles CPA offers their clients. From overseeing income, monitoring expenses, finding ways to reduce fees, create financial statements, preparation of tax returns and more, the CPA is more than an asset, they are your business partner.

Running a Business

CPAs are well-known for their business advisory services. They provide a complete picture of your financial statements, bookkeeping, and tax situation. This means that they can pull together all the relevant information, so you can see everything at once. This is an invaluable service that helps you plan for the future of your business.

The knowledge of your current financial status also includes the needs for expenditures such as insurance. For example, do you need business interruption insurance or is it more financially sound to lease a second site to keep production going? Your CPA can help answer such questions which may save you a considerable amount of money.

The insight that a Los Angeles CPA brings to your company helps you better understand your finances today and helps you plan for the future.

Tax Services

Tax planning and tax compliance are two invaluable services provided by your trusted CPA. The compliance service ensures that your company is obeying federal, state, and local tax laws. While planning helps reduce the burden of your taxes through legal methods. In other words, you pay less while obeying the law when it comes to your taxes.

Finding the Best Los Angeles CPA

Now that you know what they do, the next step is finding the best one for your needs. The right way to start is with the basics.

• Create a list from the CPAs in your area.
• Referrals from respected sources such as your attorney, business colleague, or banker
• Check Society of Certified Public Accountants for California

The goal is to create a list of prospective CPAs and then narrow that list by eliminating those who do not qualify, do not offer the services you need, and those who operate too far away from where you are located. This is how you find the right Los Angeles CPA for you.

Now that you have narrowed the list, the next step is matching the services to your needs. You can do a deeper investigation if they have a website or list of services provided. The goal is to create a small enough list so you can start interviewing prospective candidates. You know the services they provide, now you need to find out if they are the right ones for you.

Personality

You are not looking for a Los Angeles CPA to be your best friend, but you are looking for one that is compatible with the style you run your business. If you are interviewing a firm, then you’ll want to talk to those who will be working on your accounts. Focus your questions on how they would handle certain situations.

• IRS audit questions
• Financial discrepancies
• Tools used to provide accurate information quickly.

Tailor the questions to reflect your business style and evaluate the answers they provide. This will offer you insight into how they handle different situations. In the end, how they handle your accounting to your liking is what is most important.

Fees

A typical Los Angeles CPA will either charge an hourly rate or have a monthly retainer for their services. Take that information and extrapolate it over the course of a year, two years, five years, and longer. That will provide you a projection of how much their services will cost.

Keep in mind that you are not looking for the cheapest Los Angeles CPA, you are searching for the best that still fits your budget.

Additional information may include getting references, reading customer reviews, and talking to those who made the referrals. You will want to get a complete picture of what you can expect from the CPAs that you have interviewed.

Once you have completed the process, you should have a good idea of which Los Angeles CPA or firm is best for your bookkeeping needs. At this point, you should create an engagement letter that spells out what you expect in terms of services and fees that will be charged. This will ensure that you and the CPA are on the same page.

Remember that your Los Angeles CPA is like a business partner, so treat them with respect. This means keeping all details of your transactions, receipts, tax information, and all other applicable assets so they can do the job you require.

Get a free evaluation at 1-877-788-2937.