Finding the right tax accountant can make a significant difference to an accounting practice. The right professional can help manage tax preparation workloads, maintain accuracy, support client relationships, and give senior accountants more time for complex advisory work.
But hiring for tax roles is about more than finding someone who can prepare returns. Firms need professionals with the right technical knowledge, attention to detail, communication skills and ability to work within established processes.
If you are wondering how to find a good accountant, a structured hiring process can help you identify candidates who fit both the technical requirements of the role and the needs of your practice.
Why Hiring the Right Tax Accountant Matters for Accounting Practices
Tax work comes with strict deadlines and compliance responsibilities. A hiring decision that prioritizes speed over capability can create problems later, including errors, rework, missed deadlines, and increased pressure on senior staff.
A capable tax accountant can help your practice:
- Handle higher volumes of tax returns efficiently
- Reduce the workload on senior accountants
- Maintain consistent tax preparation and review processes
- Respond to client questions more effectively
- Support compliance and documentation requirements
- Create capacity for advisory and higher-value services
The IRS states that paid tax return preparers must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) when preparing or assisting with the preparation of federal tax returns for compensation.
Credentials also matter depending on the responsibilities of the position. CPAs, attorneys and enrolled agents have unlimited representation rights before the IRS, while other preparers may have more limited rights.
For an accounting practice, getting the hiring decision right can therefore support both operational efficiency and compliance.
Key Qualities to Look for When Hiring a Tax Accountant
When considering how to find a good accountant, look beyond a candidate’s resume. Assess the skills that will directly affect the quality and efficiency of their work.
1. Strong Tax Knowledge
Look for candidates who understand federal tax requirements and can apply tax rules to different client situations. Depending on your practice, experience with individual, business, partnership, or corporate returns may be important.
2. Attention to Detail
Tax preparation requires accuracy. A strong candidate should be comfortable reviewing financial information, identifying inconsistencies and checking supporting documentation before a return is finalized.
The IRS expects paid preparers to use professional judgment and ask reasonable follow-up questions when client information appears incorrect, incomplete or inconsistent.
3. Relevant Credentials and Compliance Awareness
Check whether candidates have the credentials your practice requires and verify their PTIN where applicable. The IRS also maintains information on different tax preparer credentials and qualifications.
4. Technology Skills
Today’s tax accountants need to work comfortably with tax software, accounting platforms, digital documents and workflow tools. Technology proficiency can reduce manual work and improve turnaround times.
5. Communication Skills
Tax accountants regularly need to explain information to clients, request missing documents and communicate questions to reviewers. Clear communication can prevent unnecessary delays and improve the client experience.
6. Ability to Work Under Pressure
Tax deadlines can create significant workload fluctuations. Look for candidates who can prioritize tasks, manage multiple engagements and maintain accuracy when workloads increase.
How Accounting Practices Can Streamline the Tax Hiring Process
Knowing how to find a good accountant for small business or an accounting practice starts with defining exactly what you need.
Use these steps to make the hiring process more efficient:
Define the Role Clearly
Before advertising a position, establish the services the accountant will support, the types of returns they will handle, required experience, software knowledge and expected workload.
Separate Must-Have and Nice-to-Have Skills
Not every skill needs to be a hiring requirement. Identify the qualifications that are essential from day one and the skills that can be developed through training.
Assess Technical Knowledge
Use practical assessments or scenario-based questions to understand how candidates approach tax issues, review information and identify potential problems.
Check Credentials
For roles involving paid federal tax return preparation, verify that candidates meet applicable IRS requirements. A valid PTIN is required for individuals who prepare or assist in preparing federal tax returns for compensation, subject to IRS exceptions.
Evaluate Cultural and Workflow Fit
A technically strong candidate may still struggle if they cannot work effectively within your firm’s processes. Consider how they collaborate, communicate, manage deadlines and respond to feedback.
Strategies to Retain Tax Talent in Your Accounting Firm
Finding a good tax accountant is only the first step. Retaining experienced professionals can help firms reduce repeated recruitment and training costs while maintaining institutional knowledge.
Consider these strategies:
- Offer clear career paths: Show employees how they can progress into senior, managerial or advisory roles.
- Invest in training: Provide opportunities to keep technical and technology skills current.
- Balance workloads: Avoid relying on the same employees for every peak-period assignment.
- Recognize performance: Acknowledge employees who consistently deliver accurate work and support the wider team.
- Provide flexibility: Where possible, offer flexible work arrangements that support employee needs without affecting client service.
- Use additional capacity strategically: Outsourcing tax preparation or accounting tasks can help reduce pressure on internal teams during periods of high demand.
For firms that struggle to find or retain enough tax talent, an extended team can provide additional capacity without requiring every role to be filled through permanent hiring.
Conclusion
Knowing how to find a good accountant requires more than reviewing resumes and checking qualifications. Accounting practices need professionals who combine tax knowledge, accuracy, technology skills, communication and the ability to manage deadlines.
A structured hiring process can help you identify the right talent, while effective training, workload management and flexible capacity can help you retain that talent over time.
If your accounting practice needs additional tax and accounting capacity without adding permanent headcount, Befree can help. Contact Befree to discuss your requirements and explore flexible outsourcing support for your accounting practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a good tax accountant?
To understand how do I find a good tax accountant, check their tax experience, credentials, PTIN where applicable, technology skills, communication ability and attention to detail.
How do I find a good accountant?
To learn how to find a good accountant, define your requirements first, assess technical skills, verify credentials and evaluate the candidate’s experience with clients like yours.
How do I find a good accountant for a small business?
To find a good accountant for small business needs, look for someone familiar with your business structure, tax requirements, accounting software and reporting needs.
What qualifications should a tax accountant have?
Qualifications depend on the role. Check relevant education, tax experience, credentials and applicable IRS requirements, including PTIN requirements for paid tax return preparers.
Is a CPA better than a tax accountant?
Not necessarily. A CPA can provide broad accounting and tax expertise, but the right choice depends on your firm’s services, client needs and the responsibilities of the role.
What should I ask when hiring a tax accountant?
Ask about their tax experience, types of returns handled, software knowledge, approach to complex tax issues, quality-control process and experience working under deadlines.