How to Hire a Great Accountant!
#ForBusinessOwners
The world is full of mediocre accountants, bookkeepers, controllers, and CFOs. If you’ve landed a great one, congratulations—but was it really luck?
Hiring a skilled accountant is one of the most critical decisions for your business. Whether you’re looking for a full-time, part-time, or independent contractor, here are key strategies to find the right candidate.
Why Hiring the Right Accountant Matters
A bad hire in accounting can cost your business more than just money—it can lead to compliance issues, missed opportunities, and a significant drain on your time. Prioritize effectiveness and expertise over cost, because few things are as costly as hiring the wrong person.
7 Steps to Hiring a Great Accountant
1. Prioritize Effectiveness Over Cost
Avoid candidates who require extensive supervision or training to meet your needs.
Your first priority should be finding someone who knows what they’re doing; cost is the second consideration.
2. Benchmark Salary Costs
Use reputable salary guides like the Robert Half Accounting & Finance Salary Guide to understand market rates.
Adjust for your location using the guide’s by-location multiplier. Other firms publish similar benchmark reports, so explore multiple sources.
3. Aim for Multiple Top Candidates
It’s better to compare several strong candidates than to make a “yes or no” decision for just one.
This approach gives you perspective on skills, personality, and cultural fit.
4. Post Jobs on the Right Platforms
Avoid Craigslist for hiring accountants or bookkeepers.
Instead, use platforms like ZipRecruiter and LinkedIn to access high-quality talent.
5. Leverage Your Network
Let your peers and acquaintances know you’re hiring.
Actively seek referrals from trusted connections—sometimes the best hires come through word-of-mouth.
6. Ask Tough Interview Questions
Don’t shy away from challenging questions, even if they’re above the candidate’s expertise level.
Why? The best candidates will surprise you with their answers and ability to explain complex concepts.
7. Evaluate Technical Skills
Accounting requires specialized training, so it’s essential to assess a candidate’s expertise, even if you’re not an accountant yourself.
Ask technical accounting questions and follow up with, “Explain how this works to me in more detail.” Their confidence (or lack of it) will reveal a lot.
Pro Tip: Visit TheNumbersEdge.com for a curated list of our favorite interview questions in Course 2. You don’t have to know all the answers—just focus on how the candidate responds.
Bonus Tips for Hiring Success
Use Referrals Aggressively: Strong referrals often lead to the best hires.
Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off during the interview, it’s worth investigating further.
Don’t Settle: A qualified accountant is worth waiting for, so take your time to get it right.
Need Help?
Hiring the right accountant can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone.
Struggling to find the right candidate? Email us for tips at Care@PrecisionF.com.
Looking for interview questions? Explore our resources at our finance education company www.TheNumbersEdge.com. Email us for our accountant interview questions - we’d be happy to send them to you.
Remember: Friends don’t let friends hire underqualified accountants. Your business deserves better!