What small businesses want from their CPAs

New start-ups and small businesses are relentlessly looking for ways to try and get ahead of competition and stay at the top of their game. More and more of them are turning to Certified Public Accountants (CPA’s) to play a proactive advisory role in the business rather than providing a reactive service. Are you listening?

According to a survey by The Sleeter Group, 72% of small businesses changed their CPAs in the past at least in part because the firm “did not give proactive advice, only reactive service.”

So what do your clients need from you? They want up-to-date services; not only with their accounts but also with business advice to help drive revenue and flourish. Here are 5 things to put on offer:

1. Know your clients betterOperating a small business can be backbreaking and tedious. To offer your clients a higher level of service, visit their premises as this will help you to understand their business better. Moreover, they will really appreciate it.Schedule more regular meetings instead of seeing your clients just once a year when they turn up to you with invoices and receipts – show that you are interested and you care.
2. Educate on best practicesAs a CPA, you know best how to set up accounting and bookkeeping functions for your clients. To stay ahead in the league, you should assist with reports that will allow businesses to check their financial status at a glance.Frequent advice on best practice relating to accounts and expenditure will help your clients run their business smoothly.
3. Hone your technology skillsAs a CPA, you will have a varied client base and each of your clients would want you to help them be hands-on with technology. It is only a matter of time before your clients will insist on new tools and if you are not already keeping up with these, you will be at a disadvantage. It is wise to continually develop new skills and be familiar with new software.
4. Operate tax efficientlySmall business owners are invariably ignorant about how much tax they need to pay and often end up paying more than they actually need to pay the government. Guide and counsel your clients on how much tax they need to pay and help them structure their business most tax efficiently.
5. Keep clients away from the IRSWho enjoys tax audits and IRS inspections? Business owners want their CPAs to help them to file correct forms in time so they do not panic if any IRS checks happen. If your client has an IRS visit, guide them appropriately and if required represent them – let them know you are there to help.

Over to youIf you want to distinguish your practice do not wait for the tax season to meet your clients, spend some time during the off peak season to understand and enhance your client relationship. Meaning, this is the right time.