subject: Factors To Consider Before Choosing A New Jersey Accountant [print this page] Unless you have a strong background in accounting, when you start your small business, you will want to make sure you have a plan for outsourcing your bookkeeping needs. There are some pretty specific things youre going to want to look for in the firm or individual you choose to handle your fledgling businesses finances.
You dont want to through a dart at the yellow pages of your phone book and sign a contract with the New Jersey accountant the dark lands on. This will be someone who not only handles your finances, but who will also be providing you with financial advice. You want to work with someone who you trust, and who will do the best possible job. They need to be skilled, and also have an ability to recognize the very early signs that if something doesnt change, you company wont realize its financial goals.
Some business owners rely on their New Jersey accountant to handle all of their finances, from payroll, to taxes, to paying loans. Other business owners prefer a hands on approach and do some of the work on their own. Theres no right or wrong way. Before you start looking at the bookkeepers in your area, youre going to want to decide exactly what aspects of your finances you want to retain control over, and what responsibilities youre going to hand over to your bookkeeper. If you stay involved enough, you might find you dont need a bookkeeper at all, but can actually get by with one of the software programs currently on the market, such as QuickBooks.
Some businesses have opted to a hire a college student who has almost, but not quite completed their accounting degree. The advantage this set up has the cost. Most college students are willing to do an enormous amount of work at a fraction of what a bookkeeping firm would charge. While this setup has worked out quite well for some small businesses, others havent fared as well. The only businesses who should try this type of set up are the ones run by managers/owners who understand finances and intend to stay very hands on during the process and businesses that have been around for a long while, and have a strong financial base. Every other type of business should pay more for the services of a New Jersey accountant who has passed their CPA exam.
If at all possible, you want to try to find a New Jersey accountant who has a working knowledge of your industry. For example if you run a local dairy farm, youll want a CPA who has a background in agri-accounting. If you own a recording studio, youll be best with a bookkeeper who has other clients in the music industry, or who has other musically inclined clients.
Always ask for referrals before you sign a contract with an accountant.
