Brooksville companies and individuals can enjoy some significant benefits from working with an accounting processional. Many are unfamiliar with the tasks that can be handled by an accountant and others are uncertain of what questions to ask when seeking to hire an accountant.
What is accounting?
Brooksville accountants can tend to many different tasks on a daily basis and on an as-needed basis. Both individuals and companies can benefit from accounting services, which can include:
* day-to-day bookkeeping;
* managing account receivables;
* managing account payables;
* tax-related bookkeeping;
* budget development;
* capital accounting;
* financial auditing;
* managing payroll; and
* overseeing company purchases and stock.
These are some of the most common tasks that an accounting professional may perform. Some tasks, such as developing a budget or tending to tax-related matters, may be performed on an as-needed basis, whereas other tasks such as purchasing stock and managing payroll, financial inflow and financial outflow are handled on a continual basis.
How Do I Hire Someone to Do My Accounting?
Brooksville companies and individuals typically seek out a certified public accountant, better known as a CPA. A CPA is upheld to a fairly high standard and in many states, a college degree is required (while in other states, a certain number of credit hours are required).
Each state has its own CPA licensing system. CPAs are required to pass an accounting exam and in many regions, they must pass an ethics exam as well. Anywhere from one to two years (or more) of general accounting experience is also required. Background checks and fingerprinting are a typical part of the CPA licensing procedure in most states.
In addition to seeking a CPA, you must also enquire about the accounting professional’s area of expertise. There are many different types of accounting and each accountant typically has an area of specialty or emphasis. Some of the most accounting specialties include internal auditing, managerial accounting, forensic accounting, information technology accounting, tax accounting and environmental accounting. So before hiring a CPA, you may wish to perform a bit of research to determine which type of CPA is best for your unique needs.
Some CPAs are independent contractors, while others are available for hire to work exclusively for a specific company or organization. Accounting firms also offer services to companies; the benefit of working with an accounting firm is that you may enjoy access to multiple accounting specialists.
*Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Suncoast CPA Group*