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Business Owner’s Guide to Hiring a Great Local Accountant

  • Writer: DM Monticello
    DM Monticello
  • Jun 10
  • 7 min read

When tax season hits—or your books start to look messy—one question comes to mind fast:

“Where can I find the best accountant near me?”

Whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or startup founder, hiring the right accountant can save you thousands, protect you from audits, and unlock smarter financial decisions. But with dozens of options, how do you know who’s the best for your needs?

This guide breaks down how to find a trusted, local accountant, what qualifications to look for, and how to compare your options confidently.



Why Finding the Best Local Accountant Matters

It’s tempting to DIY your taxes or rely on online tools—but mistakes cost money. A top accountant does more than file returns. They help you:

  • Lower your tax liability

  • Stay compliant with local and national laws

  • Forecast and plan financially

  • Catch red flags early

  • Keep records BIR- or IRS-ready

Plus, having a local accountant who understands regional requirements (like BIR processes in the Philippines or state-specific sales tax in the U.S.) reduces compliance risk.

If you’re running a business or startup, a great accountant can be as valuable as a cofounder—especially when paired with operational support. Learn more about back-office support that scales.



5 Qualities to Look for in the Best Accountant Near You


1. Certified and Experienced

Look for a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or accredited accountant with:

  • 3+ years of relevant experience

  • Industry specialization (e.g., retail, SaaS, real estate)

  • Knowledge of your country’s tax system

In the Philippines, that means someone licensed by the Board of Accountancy and preferably with BIR experience.

Here’s how our clients evaluate VA qualifications for accounting support roles—same logic applies to full-time hires.



2. Local Expertise, Digital Tools

Top local accountants combine community familiarity (e.g., regional tax laws, banking norms) with digital readiness (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho Books).

Ask:

  • What tools do you use?

  • Do you offer cloud bookkeeping or app integrations?

  • Can we collaborate remotely?

If they only use paper ledgers or don’t offer online portals, consider other options.



3. Clear Communication and Responsiveness

Financial clarity starts with your accountant. They should:

  • Answer questions simply (no jargon)

  • Reply within 24–48 hours

  • Provide regular reports or check-ins

A non-responsive accountant—especially during filing season—is a red flag. We wrote about avoiding back-office bottlenecks here.



4. Transparent Pricing and Scope

Great accountants are upfront about:

  • Hourly vs. fixed pricing

  • What’s included (filing, payroll, audit prep?)

  • Extra charges (e.g., late filings, urgent requests)

Avoid vague estimates. Ask for a written scope of work before starting.

Want a pricing template? Our delegation cost breakdown post outlines how to structure roles for clarity and ROI.



5. Strong Referrals and Local Reviews

Search “[best accountant near me]” on:

  • Google Maps

  • Facebook groups or business communities

  • Freelancer platforms (like Upwork or OnlineJobs.ph in the Philippines)

Check for:

  • 4.5+ star ratings

  • Testimonials from businesses like yours

  • Specific mention of reliability, timeliness, accuracy

Not sure where to start? We reviewed 5 local CPAs in the Ilocos region in our VA hiring playbook—some also do public practice work.



Types of Accountants You’ll Find Near You

Depending on your needs and location, here are the common types of accountants to look for:

Type

Best For

Pro Tip

Freelance CPA

Solo entrepreneurs, startups

Often more flexible on pricing

Small Accounting Firm

SMEs needing monthly bookkeeping + tax

Check if they offer audit assistance

In-house or Retained CPA

Companies with growing ops teams

Combine with OpsArmy’s managed VA pods for scale

Remote Bookkeepers

US or international businesses

Use for daily transaction support, then hire a local CPA for filings



Where to Look for the Best Accountant Near You

Online Search + Maps

Search “best accountant near me” in Google or Waze. Filter results by:

  • 4.5+ stars

  • Proximity

  • Open hours and website availability


Local Business Associations

Chambers of commerce, networking groups, and tax seminars often list trusted CPAs.


Referrals from Other Business Owners

Ask:

  • Who handles your taxes?

  • Do they help with planning or just filing?

  • Are they proactive or reactive?

Word of mouth is still the best marketing for accountants.



Red Flags to Watch Out For

Even highly rated accountants may not be the right fit for you. Watch out for these signs during your initial research or consultation:


1. Vague or Evasive Answers

If they can’t clearly explain their process, tools, or pricing—walk away. A great accountant is confident and specific.


2. One-Size-Fits-All Packages

Each business is different. If an accountant doesn’t ask about your goals, structure, or size, they’re not tailoring their service.


3. No Contract or Service Agreement

Protect yourself with a written scope of work and service level agreement (SLA). This avoids confusion later.


4. Lack of Tech Familiarity

If they don’t know how to use or integrate with tools like Xero, QuickBooks, or BIR eFPS (Philippines), you’ll spend more time teaching than saving.

For remote-first teams, we recommend building a tech-savvy back office with VA support.



Questions to Ask Your Potential Accountant

Before committing, schedule a short call and ask these key questions:

  1. Are you a licensed CPA or BIR-accredited tax agent?

  2. What industries do you usually work with?

  3. Do you offer strategic tax planning or just compliance filing?

  4. How do you handle urgent or off-cycle requests?

  5. Can you work with my tools (e.g., Xero, GCash, PayPal, Shopify)?

  6. What happens if I get audited—do you provide support?

  7. Can you give 2–3 client references or sample reports?

Need help organizing the call? Use our operations checklist template as a starting point.



Comparison Table: Finding the Right Fit

Feature

Freelancer CPA

Local Firm

National Advisory Firm

Remote VA + Local CPA Combo

Pricing

$–$$ (Hourly/Project)

$$–$$$ (Monthly Retainers)

$$$ (Premium Plans)

$$ (Hybrid Flexibility)

Local Knowledge

High

High

Medium

High (via CPA)

Software Integration

Often

Varies

Always

Yes (VAs ensure compliance)

Availability

Flexible

Business Hours

Business Hours

24/7 (With VA Support)

Audit & Tax Strategy

Some

Yes

Strong

Yes (via CPA + playbooks)

Best For

Freelancers, solopreneurs

SMEs, local stores

Corporations

Startups, digital teams

Not sure if you need both a CPA and operational help? Learn how OpsArmy builds hybrid finance teams.



Case Study: Choosing the Right Accountant Saved $7,000

An online retailer in Baguio was switching from a basic bookkeeper to a CPA. They needed help with:

  • VAT filings

  • E-commerce platform integration

  • Planning for quarterly BIR audits

They found a local CPA through a regional chamber of commerce. By combining that support with a virtual assistant to handle daily expenses and receipts, they cut reporting time in half and uncovered tax credits they previously missed.

Result: $7,000 saved and faster monthly closings.



Final Checklist: How to Choose the Best Accountant Near Me

Before you hire, review this quick checklist:

  • CPA license or BIR accreditation (Philippines)

  • Clear, relevant experience in your business type

  • Comfortable with your tech stack

  • Responsive, detail-oriented communicator

  • Willing to customize pricing or scope

  • Available for strategic, not just reactive, help

  • Good reviews or referrals from real businesses

  • Signed service agreement with defined deliverables

Need help drafting an agreement or onboarding process? Check out our step-by-step VA onboarding guide.


Combine Strategic and Tactical Support

Many business owners struggle to choose between a high-level accountant and day-to-day support. Why not both?

You can retain a licensed CPA for:

  • Tax strategy

  • Year-end filing

  • Audit preparation

And assign routine tasks (like receipt logging, invoice tracking, and payroll coordination) to an experienced virtual assistant.

This hybrid model gives you accuracy, speed, and affordability—plus the freedom to focus on growth.



How to Work Efficiently with Your Accountant

Finding the best accountant near you is only the first step—working effectively with them ensures you get real value beyond basic compliance. Here’s how to build a productive relationship:


1. Be Transparent from the Start

Share everything relevant—your current bookkeeping setup, previous filings, problem areas, and future goals. A great accountant can’t advise you well without a full picture.


2. Set Communication Expectations

Decide early on:

  • How often you’ll meet or check in (weekly, monthly, quarterly)

  • What format reports will be delivered in

  • Response time for urgent questions

Clear expectations reduce stress during tax season or audits.


3. Use Shared Tools

If your accountant supports digital collaboration, tools like Google Drive, Xero, QuickBooks, or Airtable make file sharing smooth. Consider inviting a virtual assistant to help manage documentation and communication.


4. Don’t Wait Until Tax Season

Last-minute accounting leads to errors and missed savings. Regular check-ins help you:

  • Spot deductible expenses in real time

  • Adjust strategy as revenue changes

  • Stay compliant with quarterly obligations


5. Ask for Advice, Not Just Filing

Many business owners underutilize their accountants. Ask about:

  • Cash flow improvement

  • Business structure (sole prop vs. corp)

  • Forecasting and budgeting

When your accountant becomes your financial partner—not just a filer—you get better outcomes.



Conclusion: The Best Accountant Is the One Who Understands Your Business

The phrase “best accountant near me” isn’t just about location—it’s about trust, capability, and fit.

Whether you’re handling basic bookkeeping or planning a multi-region tax strategy, the right accountant will:

  • Keep you compliant

  • Save you money

  • Grow with your business

Start local. Vet carefully. Ask the right questions. And if you need day-to-day help alongside strategic finance guidance, consider pairing your CPA with OpsArmy’s operational experts.



About OpsArmy

OpsArmy is building AI-native back office operations as a service (OaaS). We help businesses run their day-to-day operations with AI-augmented teams, delivering outcomes across finance, admin, sales, and hiring.

In a world where every team is expected to do more with less, OpsArmy provides fully managed “Ops Pods” that blend deep knowledge experts, structured playbooks, and AI copilots. Think of us as your operational infrastructure: running faster, leaner, and smarter business execution. Visit https://www.operationsarmy.com to learn more.



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