Accessibility
If you are like me when I am working on any personal or business tax-related issue and I have a question, I want the answer NOW! I can check the internet, but the answer may not be clear, or I may not be sure of its accuracy. I need to speak with an accounting professional. There was a day when accounting firm offices were open from 9 am– 5 pm. But times have changed and with our recent national pandemic, many accountants are working from home. Their hours are more flexible with morning time devoted to family responsibilities and clients’ needs addressed after 5 pm. You, the client, need reasonable accessibility. You should not have to wait several days for a callback. Cloud-based software enables accountants to access files from home and clients can ask questions and receive answers through client portals on a schedule that fits your needs.
Clear Communication
Financial and tax-related issues can be complicated to understand, and you need an accountant who can take the “worry” off your shoulders. You want someone who will address your needs with a clear vision of how to solve them. They must convey confidence and expertise. Communication regarding tax filing deadlines and changes in tax laws must be shared with you in a timely manner so that you are not scrambling to get answers. A good example of this is during our recent government loan program during the pandemic. Clients with proactive accountants benefited with early PPP loan applications due to quick and clear communication regarding the steps they needed to take to get government money quickly.
Partnership
You need an accountant who will be your partner in your business, guiding you to make sound financial decisions. Just as an accountant has no interest in running your business you have no desire to do the necessary monthly financial reports, payroll calculations, monthly and quarterly tax payments, etc. A partnership with an accountant will allow you the freedom to run your business while the accountant handles those financial responsibilities for you. And with any good partnership, you need accessibility and clear communication. The right accountant will provide that.
Confidentiality, Security, and Trust
You certainly don’t want any phone conversations with your accountant recorded and shared with a competitor nor do you want your financial information leaked through an unsecured internet site. Any accounting firm must have the infrastructure in place that will keep your financial information safe and secure from prying eyes. You need to be sure that they have the proper hardware and software firewalls to protect your confidential information. Trusting your accountant builds the foundation for a strong partnership. If you feel that your business will be the topic of conversation around the office water cooler, then you need to find a different accountant.
Community Involvement
You may be thinking “why is that important” when hiring an accounting firm? From my perspective, a firm that is invested in a community through volunteerism or financial support tells me a great deal about the culture of their firm. They care about the place where they do business and thus, they care about their clients who live and/or work in a common community. Their ethical standard is established in my mind as one who has concern and respect for others. This would be an important trait to have when selecting an accountant.
The core values at Felsing LLC are integrity, proactive, teamwork, professionalism, and community. If you feel these are important values to you then the Felsing team is here to help you achieve your vision for personal and financial growth. Give us a call at 407-412-9299.
