Certified Public Accountants In Gilbert, AZ

Certified Public Accountant

Small business owners can benefit greatly from investing in a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). If you have done the work of an accountant on your own in the past or relied on free “expert” online tools or advice, you have probably done yourself a disservice. Don’t make the mistake that many entrepreneurs do when it comes to hiring a professional accountant. It will pay to spring for a Certified Public Accountant. Finding a trusted Certified Public Accountant might seem a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Let Shoreline Financial Services help you find the perfect CPA in the Gilbert, Arizona area.

CPA vs. Accountant

When it comes to your business, you might be thinking long and hard about finances, and you definitely should. However, not every decision made should be based on money alone. If in the long run, you are saving more money on taxes in areas you didn’t know existed, or making more money from financial decisions you never thought of, wouldn’t it be worth a little extra investment? The importance of hiring a Certified Public Accountant is essential because continuing professional education is a requirement to keep their licensure. With the ever-changing tax rules and codes, you want a qualified CPA who you can trust is up to date with all tax knowledge.

CPA Services

The extraordinary thing about hiring a qualified CPA is their broad area of expertise. Due to their testing and licensure, they can provide expert assistance in virtually every area of finance. Shoreline Financial Services can help you find a CPA for the following:

- Retirement Plans - 401 (k), individual, group and qualified plans - Wealth Management - Mortgages - Refinance, Purchase, and Reverse - Annuities - Mutual funds, ETF’s, and similar securities - Certificates of Deposit and Certificate Annuities - U.S. Treasuries Securities - Simplified Employee Pension Plans - Life Insurance - Long-term care and disability insurance - Financial Accounting - Financial Planning - Estate Planning - Tax Preparation - Income Tax

As you can see, a Certified Public Accountant can be beneficial for more than just preparing your taxes. They can warn you about new tax savings that you may not otherwise know to exist. They can also advise you of possible irremediable financial mistakes that no digital accounting program could catch.

Once you decide to take the leap and spring for a qualified CPA, you want to ask smart questions to make sure you are not only getting your money’s worth but also guarantee your Certified Public Accountant helps you to make the best decisions for your business and ultimately, your return.

Smart Questions You Should Ask When Hiring a CPA

How often and what are your means of communication?

This question may seem to be a ridiculous question, but establishing strong communication expectations upfront is essential to a healthy and valuable relationship with your professional accountant. Understand and decide together whether you will communicate via text, phone, in-person or on video chat (such as Skype or Facetime) and how often (weekly, bi-monthly or monthly).

What services do you provide?

CPA’s can usually assist with a wide variety of financial services, as we mentioned earlier. It is essential, though, for you to understand what services your CPA can offer you and your business. You may be currently looking for tax preparation, but perhaps there is another service, like financial planning, insurance, or retirement plans that could be beneficial to you as well.

What if I get audited?

If you are working with a Certified Public Accountant, then this shouldn’t be a problem. All CPA’s are qualified to go to bat for their clients in dealing with the IRS. However, not all accountants are, which is why springing for a CPA is worth every penny. Let them handle the IRS if ever you are audited.

Can you act on my behalf in all the states where I do business?

Not all CPA’s are licensed to practice in every state. Make sure you double check that your CPA is licensed to represent you in all the states where you do business.

What are your tax philosophies and planning priorities?

You want to be sure your CPA’s priorities and philosophies are in line with your own. You want to know if he or she is cautious or bold when it comes to tax deductions, and that it meets your comfort level.

What should I be communicating with you on a regular basis regarding my business?

You want to ensure you have a skilled accountant that will always be proactive when it comes to financial planning and advice. A good CPA will get to know your business well enough to warn and advise you in financial areas that will affect your bottom line. They should also be comfortable enough to share those factors with you, whether good or bad.

They should be well-versed in your business and all the ramifications of specific decisions that you need to make. Should you buy or lease a company car? Should you rent or purchase office space? Should you hire a full-time employee, part-time employee or individual contractor? These and much more, are questions that a skilled CPA can help you answer, considering what is financially best for your company.

How can you help grow my business?

A qualified CPA can certainly guide you, giving expert advice on how to effectively grow your business over time. Making wise financial decisions in the beginning and building a strong foundation will help you improve in the marketplace when the time is right. Strong communication and regular meetings to review your portfolio are essential to your growth as a business.

How We Can Help

Shoreline Financial Services of Arizona dedicates itself to providing our clients with the knowledge and understanding in all areas of finances. We believe in supporting and educating each of our clients while delivering informed direction for all their financial and business decisions. We provide every service necessary to ensure excellent results to get you the lifestyle you desire. We are a team and believe in collaborating to achieve optimal financial success. We understand the importance of a qualified and skilled CPA to your business and will help match you up with the one that is right for you.