Is it time for your business to hire accountants? Small business owners tend to juggle multiple things at once. But handling finances can become overwhelming in no time. One small recordkeeping mistake, and you might as well end up with a headache.

Beyond bookkeeping, accountants can help your business during tax time and organize the day-to-day financial matters. Their job is to help you stay on the right financial path and offer expert advice to solve practical business problems. As a business owner, you know that every dollar counts. So if you’re not on top of your finances by the end of every month, you might not be around by the end of the year.

Accountants can become your financial partners for life. Therefore, their role is vital. But how are you supposed to find the right professionals for your business? And where should you even begin? In this guide, we’ll share the steps you should take to hire accountants efficiently. To start your research, use a job-hunting site like ZipRecruiter. Then, spot the candidates that match your position, invite them to apply, and arrange interviews hassle-free.

5 Steps to Hire Accountants

Hiring a qualified accountant will be easiest if you post the job on ZipRecruiter. As the #1 job-hunting site in the United States, the platform will match you with qualified candidates. We’ll get more into using job search platforms later, but we just wanted to give you a heads-up now!

1. Identify Your Business Needs

Before jumping on your accountant research, it’s essential to identify your company’s financial situation. For example, a full-time accountant is a must if you’re having severe cash flow problems. On the other hand, if you only need a professional to assist you during tax season, then perhaps a part-time employee would do. 

You should also consider any industry-related problems you might be facing. For instance, if your business model is not working, an experienced accountant can offer their insights to get you off the ground.

2. Post Your Listing on a Job-Hunting Site

It can always be a bit daunting when looking to hire accountants as a startup. Thankfully, there are job-posting sites like ZipRecruiter that make the process a breeze and guarantee fast results. Just be sure to create an appealing job description, including a compelling summary of the role, the necessary skills for the position, and a list of the responsibilities and tasks.

Always include keywords in your job descriptions to make them easily searchable. For example, words like “accountant” and “bookkeeper” could do the trick. Then, to post your listing, simply sign up to your ZipRecruiter account, click “post a job”, fill in the fields for your company, choose your package, and start receiving applications!

3. Reach Out to an Accounting Firm

An alternative route you might want to consider is accounting firms. As the term indicates, accounting firms are companies with multiple accountants tackling multiple financial issues. Accounting firms are worth considering if you don’t have a preference for a specific individual. That’s because they bring the freedom of having part-time partners with no strings attached.

Of course, sometimes there might be retainer fees, but it’s worth it if your business does not need full-time employees. Plus, accounting firms are more dependable since a small mistake could cost their reputation. As a result, they’re always equipped with the latest technologies and follow smooth workflows.

4. Prepare Interview Questions

When looking to hire accountants, you want to figure out 3 things: skills, personality, and fees. Preparing your interview questions in advance will give you peace of mind that candidates are who they say they are and are fit for the role. So here are some important questions to ask:

• What types of accounting software are you confident in using?
• Can you describe a time when you helped a company overcome financial obstacles?
• What kinds of financial reports do you make?
• When was a time you achieved actual business results?

It’s also essential to include questions that’ll help you figure out the candidate’s character. Sure, skills are essential. But if they can’t go along with the team, they won’t be an excellent hire for the company. So make sure to know them like anyone else and speak to them more personally.

5. Onboard Your Accountant

When your process to hire accountants comes to an end, it’ll be time to onboard your new employees. If you hire a full-time employee, you’ll need to teach them about your company and let them know about your financial struggles. Additionally, you’ll need to introduce them to the team and help them blend in.

On the other hand, if you hire a seasonal veteran or a freelancer, you’ll need to put some guidelines in place. For example, communication and deliverables should be agreed upon from the beginning to ensure you’re both on the same page.

Ready to Hire Accountants?

As a business owner, your days are probably filled with more tasks than you can handle. But think of how much more you could achieve with the right financial professional by your side. In order to hire accountants, you’ll need to identify your business needs and find employees you can count on.