How Do I Find a Tax and Bookkeeping Professional?
Finding a qualified tax and bookkeeping professional can save you time, reduce stress, and improve your business’s financial health. Whether you are looking to file taxes, catch up on past bookkeeping, or keep things clean going forward, the right professional makes all the difference.
But with so many options – from solo bookkeepers to large firms – how do you know who to trust?
Let’s walk through what to look for, how to start the search, and what red flags to avoid.
What Services Should a Good Tax and Bookkeeping Professional Offer?
Look for someone who offers:
- Monthly transaction recording and categorization
- Bank and credit card reconciliation
- Payroll recording and adjustments
- Accounts payable and receivable tracking
- Monthly financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)
- Tax-ready reports for your CPA
- Catch-up or cleanup services if you are behind
- Support around tax deadlines
Some firms also offer communication with your CPA or can coordinate both tax filing and bookkeeping in one place.
Where to Look
- Referrals and Word of Mouth
Ask other business owners, vendors, or your accountant if they know a reliable bookkeeper or tax pro. First-hand experience is often the best indicator of quality. - Online Search
Look for providers with solid Google reviews, a professional website, and clear descriptions of services. Avoid vague listings or services without credentials. - Specialized Platforms
Sites like Thumbtack, Upwork, or QuickBooks ProAdvisor directories can help find vetted professionals, but vet them thoroughly. - Outsourced Services Like RemoteBooksOnline
Many businesses prefer online bookkeeping services that offer flat monthly rates, secure cloud access, and scalable support.
What to Ask Before Hiring
- How many years of experience do you have with businesses like mine?
- Are you familiar with my industry or accounting software?
- What’s included in your monthly service?
- Can you help if I’m behind on my books?
- Do you provide reports for my CPA at tax time?
- What’s your communication process?
- Is there a contract or monthly commitment?
Avoid anyone who can’t answer these questions clearly or seems unsure about your needs.
Test Case Example
A small business owner who runs a landscaping company has been doing all their books manually. Come tax season, their CPA charges extra due to incomplete and disorganized records.
They switch to RemoteBooksOnline. Within one week, their transactions are categorized, past months reconciled, and a clean financial report is sent directly to their CPA. The CPA charges less, the books are always up to date, and the owner never worries about tax deadlines again.
Signs of a Good Fit
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Responsive communication
- Industry knowledge or experience with similar businesses
- Offers a clear workflow and reporting schedule
- Can scale with your business over time
Red Flags to Avoid
- No written scope of services
- Charges hourly without estimates
- Generic or unclear communication
- Can’t provide sample reports
- Reluctance to work with your CPA or tax preparer
FAQs
Can one person handle both taxes and bookkeeping?
Sometimes, but often these are separate specialties. Many businesses have a bookkeeper maintain the books and a CPA or EA file taxes.
Do I need someone local?
Not anymore. Most businesses work with virtual professionals who communicate via email and use cloud software like QuickBooks Online or Xero.
What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and a tax professional?
Bookkeepers maintain your financial records throughout the year. Tax professionals use those records to prepare and file your taxes, and sometimes advise on tax strategy.
What if my books are a mess?
Many professionals offer catch-up bookkeeping services – some even specialize in cleaning up years of disorganized records.
Final Thoughts
The right tax and bookkeeping professional can make or break your financial workflow. Look for someone who communicates well, understands your business, and offers the flexibility you need. A trusted partner will help you stay organized, stress less at tax time, and focus more on running your business.
Need help finding the right bookkeeping and tax support?
RemoteBooksOnline offers flat-rate, expert bookkeeping with free CPA-ready reporting.
Start your free month today
Thinking about outsourcing your books? Our outsourced bookkeeping benefits guide highlights how it can save you time, reduce costs, and boost accuracy.
Want clarity on accountant monthly fees? Our guide to accountant pricing breaks down typical monthly costs-helping you budget smart and avoid surprises.
Want to know what virtual bookkeepers handle? This virtual bookkeeping services guide outlines everything from transaction management to monthly reporting.
