As Stern Cohen’s Marketing Director, I’m answering this question because of the high volume of inquiries we receive from people looking for a new accountant, tax specialist or bookkeeper. My answer shares tips on on how to select the right accounting firm, CPA, or Tax Specialist based on your requirements.
Believe me when I say there’s a wide range of accounting providers and it’s crucial to find the right one for you and your unique needs. One size does NOT fit all when it comes to finding the best accounting firm for your needs. Find out what I have learned about choosing your accounting provider…
Fit: One Size Does NOT Fit All
The accounting industry is a complex one. In general, CPA’s (chartered professional accountants) either work within “industry” (as a CFO or Controller for example) OR they are in what we call “public” accounting.
In public accounting, an accountant has many clients. They might be a sole practitioner running their own practice OR they may join a more sizable firm with a greater range of services from income tax preparation to financial statements or audits. A public accounting firm can be small, mid-sized, or large like the “Big Four” firms we’re familiar with (like Deloitte, PWC, etc.) The large firms focus on serving public companies and large business whereas small and mid-sized firms are an ideal solution for small to medium sized, privately-held and/or owner-managed businesses. Stern Cohen is a mid-sized firm and we focus on the owner-managed business market. We also have a strong nonprofit specialist practice.