Choosing the right accountant is very important. Avoid the mistaken belief that all financial professionals are equally skilled and capable. Abilities and ethics vary from one person to another. It’s your money, so protect it and get the best service possible. Take your time and find someone that fits your personality and needs.

Choose wisely when choosing an accountant:

1. Ask friends for referrals. Ask those you trust for recommendations. Avoid following anyone’s advice unthinkingly. These recommendations only serve as a starting point for further research.

• Be wary of familial connections. If your neighbor recommends his brother, you might not get the best advice.

1. Do your research. With all the popularity of the internet, it’s pretty easy to research the reputation of any financial professional. The internet is always available Whether you’re looking for a financial advisor, tax attorney, or accountant.

• Contact the Better Business Bureau and the State Attorney General, too. See how many complaints and lawsuits have been filed against your person of interest.

1. Ensure that you’re shopping in the correct aisle. A particular tax expert might specialize in working with farmers. If you’re not a farmer, that’s probably not the best option. A financial planner specializing in working with teachers might not be the best choice if you’re a high net-worth individual with complicated finances.

• Be aware that no financial expert is the best choice for every type of client. Find someone who’s an expert at addressing your needs.

1. Check credentials. For example, certified financial planners and chartered financial consultants have different certifications. Accountants may or may not have a CPA. Find out what credentials your prospective expert has and verify them. Ensure that you understand what each of the credentials means.
2. Check on the price. How are you charged? A percentage e? By the hour? The job is to determine how the company generates its income. Is this acceptable to you? How does t it compare to the competition? Is this pe son worth the cost?
3. Determine if you’d work with that person or anyone on their team. This o  may not matter to you, but it can be nice to develop a relationship with someone who understands your needs and finances more intimately.
4. Tailor questions to the specific field. For a financial planner, ask for a financial plan sample. You might get a one-page summary or 20 pages of charts and graphs. Which app is to you? What is their investing philosophy? How often will he communicate with you? By what me ns?
5. Follow your gut. Ask yourself if you could work effectively with this person. Do you trust them? Do you feel confident about working with them, or would you lie in bed at night worrying? Follow your intuition once you’ve narrowed the field to suitable candidates.
6. Review your choice each year. Keep your eye on the new addition to your financial team. At least once a year, evaluate your decision to hire them. Are you pleased with your choice? Would you like to find someone else instead? You can change your mind and go in a different direction.

Spend the necessary time to find the right financial professional for you. Determine our needs and then find the best person to fulfill them. Ask your friends and family for referrals and begin the research process. It’s worth the effort required to find the best fit.