If you choose a permanent hire, your next step is to start crafting an effective job description. Include required qualifications, but try not to scare off candidates with too many must-haves (they’re usually not that necessary anyway). Outsourcing is usually best if you have everyday accounting under control and need someone to handle tax returns or audits on an ad-hoc basis. Hiring permanent staff is better when long-term business stability is critical, and your financial situation allows for an extra employee. However, let’s assume your accounts are a mess and compliance issues are mounting. They could add a permanent in-house employee or outsource accounting to a third-party firm.

Ensure you ask the right questions and set clear guidelines, as this provides ample context and helps your accountant hit the ground running. Be sure to also gather their contact information, availability, billing rates, and processes. Establish a relationship built on trust and transparency from day one. This helps determine whether partnering with an outsourced accounting firm or hiring an individual part-time bookkeeper best suits your needs and budget.

Define your accounting needs

Your testing mix should seek hires who quickly adapt to your business context and the actual day-to-day issues they encounter. Another best practice is using interview scorecards to grade candidates. Scorecards help interviewers follow a pre-defined interview structure and enable objective comparison between applicants. This means recruiters can find the best accounting professional, not the candidate who makes the best first impression. Remember…skills tests can help you assess all of these skills or qualities. Leverage focused skills testing to find the right accountant for any position.

Set a time to speak with the accountant candidate over the phone or in person. Before going through your questions, tell them a little about yourself and your business. This will give how to hire an accountant them a feel for your company and add depth to the interview. Explain what your business does, what your industry is, the number of employees and clients you have, and your budget.

Ask the Right Interview Questions

Toggl Hire, for example, provides instant feedback when candidates complete tests. You can log these results in your candidate pipeline and quickly build skills-based shortlists. Business accountants manage corporate finances, which often includes monitoring wage payments, preparing financial reports, and meeting tax obligations. Yes, those who are self-employed may also benefit from hiring a small business accountant. For example, an accountant may help you navigate special tax considerations for self-employed individuals.

• Most small businesses don’t need a dedicated employee for accounting.
• Because of this, many small business owners decide to seek professional accounting services.
• This means recruiters can find the best accounting professional, not the candidate who makes the best first impression.
• A good accountant monitors cash flow, ensures tax compliance, prevents fraud, and offers invaluable strategic advice.
• Internal business accountants convert raw financial information into accurate statements of the company’s finances.
• For instance, if you need high-level tax advice, the job description and ideal candidate profile will include information about compliance experience with relevant tax laws.

As a small business owner, you’ll have access to a wider pool of skills and expertise. Using an hourly rate to pay accounting firms or freelancers is also often cheaper compared to full-time hires. Before actively searching for an accountant, you must first identify your specific accounting needs.