CPA in Orlando has become a necessity for small business companies. The CPA firms provide general accounting services, while others offer niche services. Some CPA firms do not offer audit services, so if your bank or investor requires audited financial statement you must ensure that you select a CPA firm that provides auditing services.

When selecting a CPA firm for your small business, you must make a list of services that you require in the next 3 – 5 years. This will make it easy when selecting the best CPA firm for your business. Below are 10 effective tips for small business firms to increase the chance of selecting the best CPA in Orlando.

1. BBB (Better Business Bureau) Rating

The foremost thing that you must check before hiring a CPA in Orlando is its BBB rating. Better Business Bureau is an online rating agency that rates firms based on their online reputation among past clients. The rating ranges from A+ to F. Higher ratings indicate that the firm is able to satisfy maximum number of its clients. Lower rating, on the other hand, means that most of the clients of the company are not satisfied with its services. You must select firms with BBB rating of B+ or higher. Ideally the CPA firm should be rated as A+ as this represents that the firm provides top notch quality services to the clients.

2. Online Reviews

The second thing you must look into before selecting a CPA firm is read online reviews and testimonials about the company. A number of online review sites like Yelp!, Google Places, Angies List, and other host reviews of actual customers of the clients. Although, not all the reviews may be authentic but most of the client reviews hosted on the site are original.

A CPA in Orlando whose majority online reviews are generally positive indicates that it provides exceptional services to the clients. On the other hand, a CPA firm whose majority online reviews are negative depicts that it does not provide adequate services to the clients. So, when you must ensure that the CPA firm you pin down for your small business has greater number of positive reviews as compared to negative ones.

3. Client Testimonials

Apart from online reviews, you must also read the testimonials of the company’s past clients. Client testimonials can provide an indication of the quality of services provided by the CPA firm. You can read client testimonials on the website of the CPA firm. A better idea is to request the CPA firm to provide list of past clients. You must then call up some of the clients to find out about the customer service quality of the CPA firm.

4. State License

An important point you must never overlook selecting a CPA in Orlando is state licensing. Almost all states in the U.S. require manger or owner of the CPA firm to have a CPA license. The CPA firms must also have to register with the state’s board of accountancy. The CPA license requires that the candidate has at least a bachelor’s degree. Moreover, the candidate also has to pass a 150 credit hours accounting program to qualify for the state licensing. The CPA candidate must also have to pass the Uniform CPA examination to become eligible for the state license. A certified CPA firm ensures that you will receive the highest quality accounting services for your business.

5. Fees and Hidden Charges

This is the most important task when selecting a CPA in Orlando for your small business accounting work. The fees charged by the CPA differ from firm to firm. Make sure that you know complete details of the cost of availing the services. One thing you need to be aware of when comparing CPA firms is hidden fees and charges. A number of firms do not reveal the net cost at initial query.

The hidden costs become evident when you receive the invoice from the firm. One way to avoid the shock of receiving greater invoice than expected is to ask beforehand about all the fees charged by the CPA firm. This will also help in comparing different CPA firms and select the most affordable one from among them.

6. Accounting Specialties

The services offered by CPA firms in Orlando differ as well. A retail accounting firm that specializes in service sector accounting may not be helpful firms relating to agricultural or manufacturing sector. Moreover, some CPA firms only provide specific accounting related services like auditing, tax services, legal accounting services, and fixed asset maintenance register. You must select a type of CPA in Orlando that meets your requirements. In case you want the CPA firm to perform all accounting related task, you can select a general CPA firm.

7. Support & Services

Some CPA firms offer expert advice and services to ensure optimum allocation of financial resources. The advisory services are included in the fees you pay to the CPA firm. While others only perform accounting services with no advise on improving company finances. You must select a CPA in Orlando that offers maximum support and services to streamline your accounting function. Hiring such firms will offer better value on investment.

8. Level of Services

CPA in Orlando provides two kinds of services: full service accounting and partial service accounting. A full service CPA firms provides their own bookkeepers to handle accounting transactions. Partial service CPA firms only charge more if they are requested to handle bookkeeping tasks.

9. Availability

Another important thing to make certain when employing a CPA in Orlando is availability of the accounting personnel. Some firms offer 24/7 accounting services all year long, while others offer accounting services for a specific period. You must ask in advance about the availability of the accounting services.

10. Comfortable Connecting With CPA Professional

You may hire the best CPA firm but if you are not comfortable interacting with the CPA in Orlando, you may not be able to get the money’s worth of services.

If you need more information about our Orlando accounting and tax services, please contact us at 407-502-2400. Freedomtax Accounting’s staff has been providing honest accounting services and tax services for 15 years. Our Orlando accounting and tax firm has its main offices in Kissimmee, FL. Our services are provided nationwide, but mainly in the Central Florida market to areas like Orlando, South Orlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana, Clermont, Davenport, Hunters Creek, Lake Nona, Celebration, Winter Park, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Apopka, Belle Isle, Edgewood, and Oakland FL. Our tax accountants and IRS enrolled agents (irs ea) specialize in corporate accounting and bookkeeping, tax services, tax preparation, back taxes help, tax debt relief, tax resolution, tax planning, itin number, incorporations, and non profit 501c3 tax exempt. (Freedomtax’s accounting and tax professionals are NOT CPA’s. CPA services provided by third party provider.)

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