How to Hire an Accountant for an Engineering Firm

Engineering firms have to concern themselves with complex systems of taxation, cash flows and payroll just like any other business. These firms can absolutely use some help when it comes to their accounting needs. Finding and hiring the best accounting solution does not have to be a trying matter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Understand Your Need

1. Consult with an accountant about the tax exemptions your engineering firm may be allowed. Consultations are not free, but the knowledge gleaned from the consultation can easily pay for itself come tax time. Sometimes a consultation can act as a substitute to hiring the accountant at all.
2. Consider the volume of money coursing through the firm at any given time and the sophistication of the tax exemptions the firm needs. If the neither is overwhelming, the firm may not need to hire an accountant.
3. Keep in mind that though accounting services can seem pricey, they may quickly pay for themselves through tax savings.
4. Determine whether you want to hire an in-house accountant or outsource the work to a freelancer or accounting firm.

Find an Accountant

5. Ask for a referral. Find a trustworthy person who was pleased with his accountant or accounting firm and ask for the contact information.
6. Research accounting firms in your area and visit their websites. Examine their areas of specialty. The most valuable consultation you can have comes from an accountant who is up-to-date on the business of engineering.
7. Interview candidates with the same inquisitiveness used when interviewing an employee. They will be working for your firm, and hopefully for a long time.
8. Find out about hourly rates and how often those rates increase. Also request to speak to one or two other small businesses that employ the same accountant or firm. Get a feel for the accountant's primary interests and expertise.

Get the Most Out of Your Accountant

9. Use your accountant for information about software systems that can facilitate your accounting and payroll operations.
10. Consider using a non-typical financial year for the engineering firm so that the accounting can take advantage of the staggered due dates for filing taxes returns. While all the other clients will need to wait in line, your engineering firm will receive more attention when the time comes.

Tips & Warnings

• Some accounting software is savvy enough to meet the demands of a small operation.
• Choose your accountant or accounting firm wisely, because it is expensive to hire another firm after the process has already been started.

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