What to Ask Before Hiring a CPA

Choosing a Certified Public Accountant should involve more than a quick scan of credentials. While licensure and basic qualifications are essential, the subtleties of their experience and working style can significantly influence your financial outcomes, particularly for individuals with complex tax matters or business ownership responsibilities.
A primary consideration is whether the CPA has direct experience with your specific type of income structure or business entity. A firm that primarily serves salaried individuals may not be equipped to advise small business owners or those with multiple income streams, such as rental properties or investment portfolios. Asking detailed questions about client profiles they typically serve helps determine whether their background aligns with your needs.
A CPA unfamiliar with Wisconsin-specific tax rules may inadvertently overlook important regional nuances that affect your filings.
It is equally important to determine the extent of the services provided. Some CPAs limit their scope to annual tax preparation, while others engage in forward-looking strategies such as quarterly planning, tax optimization, and audit preparedness. Inquiring about their approach to year-round advisement versus seasonal filing can clarify what level of engagement to expect.
Also worth exploring is how the CPA handles communication. Do they encourage questions throughout the year, or is contact limited to tax season? Are they available for mid-year strategy discussions or only reactive when documents are due?
Finally, ask about how they stay current with changes to state and federal tax codes. Ongoing education and participation in professional organizations are signs of a practitioner who takes their fiduciary role seriously.
Selecting the right CPA is less about finding the most impressive résumé and more about ensuring the professional is well-matched to your specific situation, with both the competence and structure to support your long-term goals.