The general rules about accounting may typically stay the same but the interpretation seems to always be different among business owners. Some accounting rules are basic to understand but some require accounting expertise to fully understand the details. We love to answer even the most difficult questions from clients, because our job is ultimately to make your business better.

Toward that end, here are three of the top questions to ask your accountant:

Do you have any experience working with other businesses in my industry?

Every industry has a unique set of accounting issues that need to be dealt with. To ensure that you are in the best financial position possible, you need an accountant that has extensive experience with not only your type of business, but across a wide range of industries. This gives them a “big picture” outlook and allows them to identify any and all areas in which you can reduce your tax liability while remaining in compliance with federal, state and local tax laws and regulations.

How much time do you devote to each client on a monthly basis?

Accountants have a busy season and a slow season. January through April 15, they are hard at work, putting in long hours and often taking on temporary staff to prepare all the tax returns. However, there is also the slow season? What level of attention does my business receive? Just as importantly, what is your policy concerning daily communication? In other words, if I have questions or concerns, can I get a hold of you relatively quickly and/or will you return my call in a timely manner?

How can you help increase my profitability?

The bottom line for every small business is their “take home” profit; how much they are able to take out of the business after taxes to support their lifestyle. Your accountant should be able to help in analyzing ways to reduce expenditures, increase cash flow and minimize tax liability. This is another reason why in-depth business experience is so critical; your accountant should do more than just keep your books and file your tax forms. The true value a good small business accounting firm provides is in their ability to help develop a comprehensive strategy that helps make your business more profitable.