SmartPulse — our weekly nonscientific reader poll in SmartBrief on Small Business — tracks feedback from small-business owners. We run the poll question each Thursday in our e-newsletter.
Last week, we asked: Do you have an accountant?
- Yes — we consult regularly — 50.49%
- Yes, but we only talk at tax time — 25.24%
- No — 15.53
- Sometimes I consult an accountant, but I don’t have a regular one — 8.74%
Your accountant is more than a tax preparer. Unless you stay on top of all the Internal Revenue Service’s codes yourself, it can be money well spent to engage the services of an accountant. While it’s convenient not to deal with filing taxes, your accountant can offer guidance about other financial matters to consider, such as record keeping for approved deductions, long-term tax strategies and payroll guidance.
The most important consideration when partnering with an accountant is to find someone you trust. This person needs to be someone with whom you’re comfortable discussing your business’ finances because they won’t be able to give you good advice if they don’t get good information.
Sharlyn Lauby is the HR Bartender and president of ITM Group.