Choosing an Accountant? Here are Four Things to Look For...
If you are searching for a tax services CPA in St. Catharines and Niagara Region, here are four
factors you should consider when making your choice.
Certifications: You need an accountant with
the right qualifications. If you are looking for someone to handle your business’s financial statements, analysis
and bookkeeping, a non-certified accountant may be sufficient. However, business owners require Chartered
Professional Accountants (CPAs) - accountants who are certified and licensed, in order to access advanced tax
advice and return preparation.
Expertise in your area: Has the firm dealt
with other clients in both your size and specific sector?
Do you need a team? Go to the firm’s
website and read up on the skill sets of its partners and associates. Can your tax services and financial needs be
handled completely by the one firm?
Referrals and word of mouth: Don’t hesitate
to ask for a referral when you are considering a firm. It is perhaps the most important professional relationship
your business will require. Look for referrals from other businesses in your field. Word of mouth is often the
best guide.
Some Areas of Tax Assistance a CPA Firm Can Offer...
A St. Catharines-based firm such as Jones & O’Connell LLP, can furnish a full range of tax
expertise. Using a pro-active, team approach, working out of a paperless office, the firm’s income tax
optimization services include personal tax preparation; investment portfolio review for tax optimization; tax
shelter analysis; personal tax planning; estate planning; business succession planning and more.
In addition to income tax optimization, the firm offers in-depth personal financial planning.
Life’s events are often unexpected – and certainly at no time has this been more apparent as it has been in the
Covid-19 era. Financial planning services include budgeting and forecasting future cash flows; tax shelter
analysis; personal tax planning; and estate planning.
Estate and trust planning should maximize after-tax cash resources. The family and legal aspects
of any trust must be considered as well, including business succession planning.
Representation can also be obtained with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If there are blips in
your relationship with the CRA, a good firm can help you get your affairs in order, and act as an advocate for
you. This can include late filed personal tax preparing and voluntary disclosure of tax liabilities.
And, finally, personal tax preparation. Let the professionals deal with it!
CPA Firm Offers Many Other Services
Tax matters are, of course, only one area of a CPA firm’s mandate. As mentioned earlier, a firm
with a team approach can also help you with related financial considerations.
Financial advisory can help with budget and forecasts; business valuation and the actual
purchase and sale of a business.
Computer consulting will help your firm keep abreast of bookkeeping developments. A well-rounded
firm can guide you through system planning and selection, installation and implementation; and training.
Do you have a business plan and/or marketing strategy? Management advisory can work to your
advantage, along with human resources counseling.
There’s much to consider! But choosing the best tax services CPA firm in St. Catharines and the
Niagara Region will go a long way to ensuring your financial success going forward.