CPAs have been an important resource for businesses and non-profit organizations for years. These organizations need help coming up with budgets, developing accounting procedures, working through different management and financial problems, and more. CPAs can also help businesses and non-profit organizations come up with different data processing systems and information management systems. Many senior management teams rely on CPAs to help them with their overall finances.

But individuals can use CPAs as well as businesses and non-profit organizations. Many individuals use CPAs to help them come up with family or individual budgets and financial goals. CPAs can help you come up with a way to develop and build up your college funds and can also help you with your plans for retirement and any planning that needs to be done for your estate.

Here are some tips that can help you choose the right CPA for you, and can also help you decide how you can use a CPA to your best advantage.

How to find a CPA

One of the best ways to find a great CPA is by simply asking your friends if they know anyone. Coworkers are another good source for referrals. You also might want to ask your neighbors or anyone who know who is involved in financial services. You can call up your state CPA society for referrals and for advice in choosing a CPA. Or you can just look in your local yellow pages.

Qualifications to look for in your CPA
Whenever you are looking for a CPA, there are several questions that you need to ask and that you should think about.

• Is the person a certified public accountant?


• Does this individual have a license specific for practice in your state?


• What professional organizations does the individual belong to? Is the CPA actively involved in the organizations?


• What areas does the CPA specialize in? What expertise does he or she have? Do those areas of expertise correspond with your own particular financial needs?


• Do you get along with the CPA's personality? Are you overly intimidated by the CPA or do your personalities clash?

How can you make the most use of CPA services?

• Go to your meetings prepared with all of your documents, your information, and what you need.


• What are your plans? What are your goals? Where do you want to be? What are you looking for from your CPA?


• Ask specific questions.


• Keep good records.


• Always keep your goals in sight.


• Always keep your CPA informed about changes in your various goals along with changes in your own circumstances. This can vary how you work towards your different financial goals and plans.


• Accept that the CPA is the expert and that you are not.


• While you need to respect the above tip, you should also not just blindly follow your CPA. If you don't particularly feel comfortable with the approach to your goals, or with how your money is being used, bring it up. Get a second opinion. And don't be afraid to report your CPA if he or she is misusing your funds or doing anything illegal.