Every small business owner should have access to an accountant. A small business accountant can provide guidance at every stage of your company’s development, and they can be invaluable when it comes to tax preparation, succession planning, and more. An online accountant can also deliver these services at a price that fits the limited budget of modern business owners. 

But finding the right accountant is about more than just cost. Today, we’ll go over the best features offered by online accountants for small business owners so that you can find the right fit for your company.

What to Look for in an Online Accountant

What should you expect when you’re searching for online accountants for small business needs? 

We’ve narrowed it down to these five essential features:

Industry Experience

Online accountants are not hard to find, but the key is to find an accountant whose skill set matches the needs of your business. 

What type of business do you run? Are you a service provider, a retailer, or exclusively eCommerce? Is your business structured as a partnership, an LLC, or an S Corp?

These questions will be critical in finding the right accountant. You’ll need to partner with an online accountant who has clear experience in preparing tax returns and financial documents for companies that have a similar profile to yours. 

Ideally, you’ll want an online accountant who has worked for companies of a similar size, revenue stream, and industry, too.

But don’t limit yourself to accountants that work with companies of your size. After all, most entrepreneurs entertain dreams of growing their businesses. This will also require the assistance of an accountant who has worked for companies that are larger than your own. 

Finding an accountant who has experience in working with companies your size and larger can set you on a positive trajectory, knowing that your accounting help will scale with your business.

Access to Tools

The right accountant for small business owners might also need to have some experience in cloud-based systems, especially if your business relies on such software as part of your regular operations.

Before committing to an accountant, make sure to go over these requirements, and ask about their prior experience. This will ensure that you hire an accountant whose experience matches the evolving needs of your company.

Dedicated Support

Some business owners might feel nervous that hiring online accountants for small business needs will deprive them of the personal touch of a regular employee. This concern is perfectly understandable, but the right accounting firm can offer dedicated support in the way that you choose. 

You need an online accounting service that relies on the latest and best accounting software. You want a provider who can minimize accounting errors and ensure a greater level of accuracy. This is especially important during tax season, where errors can lead to an audit and potentially result in penalties and fines. 

Online software also means that you’ll be able to access your company’s financial information anytime, anywhere

Xendoo provides a number of ways to keep clients connected to the process. Our online bookkeeping features include regular monthly reports that will keep you up to date on your cash flow and other financial data. 

All of our dedicated professionals are available on your terms, whether that be through email, text message, or a phone call. We’ll work with you to communicate when you want and how you want, so you never feel out of touch with your online CPA.

Streamlined Processes

Modern business owners face a variety of financial needs, including:

• Bookkeeping
• Payroll
• Tax planning
• Tax preparation
• Budgeting and planning
• Personal tax preparation and filing

Partnering with online accountants for small business needs such as these can ensure that important processes are completed on time and with total accuracy.

Some business owners find that this is a welcome change from trying to juggle their own books. If you find yourself falling behind, some accounting firms offer catch-up accounting services, which can help you bring your books up to date. 

Xendoo, for instance, offers catch-up services to clients who have fallen months or even years behind.

By reconciling your books regularly, your small business accountant can ensure that you always have a clear picture of the financial health of your company. 

Understanding your cash flow can be invaluable when it comes to long-range planning, and it can also save you the hassle and expense of penalties from filing a late tax return.

Streamlining your financial processes can even be helpful for obtaining future business loans. Usually, lenders will expect to see a report of your company’s financial status. By having recent reports relating to your income and expenses, you’ll be able to gain access to the funds you need to grow your business.

Strong Reviews

Once you locate a few online accountants for small business owners, you’ll want to narrow down the field a bit further. What are other customers saying about this accounting service? 

While every accounting firm will boast of its strengths, the real evidence of its success is found in the testimony of its clients!

Typically, you won’t have to look far to find online reviews for an accounting firm, though the best online accountants will feature customer reviews and testimonials directly on their websites. 

These reviews provide several relevant clues about the nature of the firm. First, it communicates that other business owners have benefited from the services of an online accountant. Second, skimming through these reviews may help you locate companies that operate within your industry, which helps you to know whether an accounting firm “gets” the unique needs and challenges you face.

You might also check to see whether an accounting firm has received any third-party awards or certifications. Xendoo, for instance, is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and currently holds an “A” rating, the highest rating available.

Transparent Pricing

Finally, you want to find an accountant that offers transparent pricing. How much does an accountant cost? An accountant for small business owners will usually charge around $40 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, though it’s not uncommon to find accountants that charge significantly more. 

An online accountant costs less than an in-person service, though you’ll want to make sure you find an accounting firm that offers transparent pricing. 

By “transparent,” we mean that there should be no hidden fees. You don’t want to find yourself “stuck” with an online accountant who later demands additional money for their services. It’s vital that you know what to expect and how much you’ll be charged for financial services.

At Xendoo, we offer several clear plans designed to fit the needs of your business. Our most popular plan will cost only $395 per month. 

Many business owners find that partnering with online accountants for small business services can save a significant amount of money that would otherwise be spent on a full-time employee.

Xendoo: Find an Online Accountant for Small Business

Where can you find an online accountant that ticks all these boxes? Xendoo strives for excellence in all these categories, thanks to our dedicated team of professionals.  

At Xendoo, we provide a variety of accounting and bookkeeping solutions that can be tailored to the needs of your business. 

Our friendly team of experts can straighten out your books, help you prepare for tax season, or provide the data you need for long-term success. 

Want to learn more? Take us for a test drive by signing up for our free trial, and see how Xendoo can bring your business even further into the future.