Selecting a CPA firm is a process that should be approached with great thought and careful consideration. CPA firms are professional organizations who will work with you on a variety of financial issues and processes. When trying to find a reputable CPA firm in Fort Dodge IA there are several important factors about the firm you should research and consider before making your decision. The first criteria you should look at is the specialization of the CPA firm. The three main areas that a CPA firm functions as are as tax experts, accountants, and auditors. Also, some firms specialize in working with specific industries, such as construction, engineering, financial, franchises, etc. So, depending on your need for a CPA, you should pick a firm with the area of concentration that best matches your needs. Next, you should consider the education and training of the professionals who are part of the firm. What universities/colleges did the CPAs graduate from, what level of degrees do they hold, what types of continuing professional education have they participated in, and how many hours of CPE credit have they earned in the last year are all valid questions to ask to get a better idea about the firm. These questions are important because even tho a CPA must pass the licensing exam, it is still helpful to know more about their educational and training background to get a full scope on their expertise.
Digging deeper into the information about the firm, you should find out the size of the firm. Firms come in all sizes, varying from sole producers to huge corporations, and you should go with a firm that you feels matches your working style. In addition, you should discover what professional and community associations the firm belong to and actively participates in. These areas help you to determine what the firm views as important and their ability to network and research if they need any information on topics they are not familiar with handling. Last, but certainly not least, you have to gauge the chemistry between you and the firm, or the actual CPA who will be handling your account. Having a comfortable and effective working relationship is very important for success between the two parties. You should be able to pick the best CPA firm for you by finding out all the above information and doing your homework.
