The Rural Voice, 1983-11, Page 31GUEST COLUMN
How to find
a good accountant
Financial management is of critical
importance in the successful opera-
tion of any farm business. Unfor-
tunately, this area is often ignored
because farmers have so much other
work to do.
Financial management should be.
made top priority. If a farmer does.
not have time to see to it himself, then!
he needs to look for assistance, and
obtaining a competent accountant is a
good first step.
The problem - where do you begin
to look for an accountant?
Below is a guideline that will pro-
vide a starting point and smooth the
process along the way:
To begin with, sit down for a few
minutes and consider the services that
you need from an accountant. Do
you need someone to keep your
records up-to-date? Do you want
financial statements prepared?
Would you like tax advice?
If you do not have the time to keep
your records in good order and would
like someone to take care of them for
you, then a bookkeeper may be the
solution.
If you need more extensive finan-
cial services, you should consider an
accountant. List your needs right now
and what you think you might need
within the new few years.
The next step is to ask people you
know about the accountants they use
or have heard good things about.
Talk to friends with operations
similar to yours. Ask your bank
manager and your lawyer.
Settle on two or three possibilities
and then phone to make appoint-
ments with all of them at their office.
Bring your income tax return and
financial statements to the meeting.
When you arrive, look around the of-
fice and make note of its general ap-
pearance and of the staff.
Describe the types of services you
need to the accountant. Ask about his
and his staff's past experience in these
areas. Request an estimate of the
charge for these services on a yearly
basis.
When making the final decision, do
not immediately hire the accountant
who submits the lowest fee estimate.
Consider how much personal atten-
tion you think your business will
receive. Will you feel comfortable
with the accountant(s)? How sincere
does he seem? Does he give your
questions consideration? When is he
available?
Think about the accountant's
reputation as well. What is the opi-
nion of the banker, lawyer, other
businessmen, about the accountant?
Consider, too, how much ex-
perience he has had in handling the
services you need. Ask if he has other
clients with operations similar to
yours.
You should feel that he is someone
you can trust, who understands your
business, who listens to your concerns
and responds with suggestions.
At this point you will feel sure that
you have the best accountant for your
business and for yourself. El
Prepared by Gerry Bowler, C.A., a
partner in the Owen Sound office of
Ward Mallette Chartered Accoun-
tants.
GSM� 1
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THE RURAL VOICE, NOVEMBER 1983 PG. 29