To choose a CPA in Roswell, GA, first confirm their license is active with the Georgia State Board of Accountancy. Then ask about their experience with clients like you, how they price their work, who will actually handle your file, and how they communicate during the year. These questions matter because a CPA's value depends on fit as much as skill. A firm that is excellent at individual returns may be a poor match for a growing S corporation. If your main need is filing returns, start by checking the scope of their tax services. Then use the 10 questions below to compare candidates side by side.
Before You Start: Define What You Actually Need
Write down your needs before you contact any firm. "I need a CPA" is too vague to judge anyone's answers. Use these three categories:
- Compliance: individual returns, business returns, payroll filings, sales tax
- Ongoing support: bookkeeping, monthly financial statements, cash-flow tracking
- Advisory: entity selection, tax planning, growth decisions, IRS correspondence
Most people need some mix of these. Knowing your mix tells you which questions matter most. For example, a W-2 employee with rental property needs different expertise than a dental practice owner with staff and equipment purchases.
The 10 Questions to Ask
1. Is your CPA license active, and in which state?
A CPA license is issued by a state board. You can verify a Georgia license through the Georgia State Board of Accountancy's online lookup. Do this yourself instead of relying on a website badge. Also ask whether the person preparing your return is a CPA or works under one. Either arrangement can be fine, but you should know which one you are getting.
2. Who will actually work on my account?
At many firms, the person who meets you is not the person who prepares your return. Ask who prepares the work, who reviews it, and who you contact with questions. A clear answer is a good sign. A vague answer ("our team handles it") deserves a follow-up question.
3. What experience do you have with clients like me?
Ask for specifics: your industry, your entity type (sole proprietor, LLC, S corp, partnership, nonprofit), and your level of complexity. Health care practices and charter schools, for example, each have their own reporting and compliance issues. A CPA who regularly serves your sector will spot problems faster.
4. How do you price your work?
Firms usually charge by the hour, a fixed fee per return, or a monthly retainer. Each one has tradeoffs:
- Hourly billing is flexible, but your total cost is harder to predict.
- Fixed fees give you certainty, but check exactly what is included.
- Retainers suit ongoing work, but you may pay for capacity you don't use.
Ask what triggers extra charges. Common triggers include messy books, late documents, amended returns, and IRS notices.
5. What is included in the engagement, and what isn't?
Ask for a written engagement letter that lists the scope of work. Common gaps include state returns, quarterly estimated tax calculations, year-round questions, and audit or notice support. Many fee disputes start because these items were never discussed.
6. Do you provide tax planning, or only tax preparation?
Preparation records what already happened. Planning happens before year-end, while you can still change the outcome. Examples include timing equipment purchases, choosing retirement plan contributions, and setting owner compensation. If your income is rising or variable, ask when and how often planning conversations happen.
7. How will we communicate, and how fast do you respond?
Ask about their preferred channels (email, phone, client portal), typical response times, and how they handle busy season. A firm with a clear answer to "What happens if I email you on April 10?" has thought about capacity.
8. How do you handle IRS or Georgia Department of Revenue notices?
Ask whether they respond to notices for returns they prepared, whether that costs extra, and whether they can represent you. CPAs can represent clients before the IRS, but confirm that representation is part of the engagement.
9. What do you need from me, and when?
A good CPA will describe their document process and deadlines. Ask what format they want your books in and whether they use specific accounting software. Their answer also shows how organized the firm is.
10. Can you help as my needs change?
If you plan to form an entity, hire staff, or expand, ask whether the firm handles business formation, small business accounting, and consulting. Otherwise you may have to find a new firm later. If you're forming a company soon, ask how they approach business formation and the tax election decisions that come with it.
Illustrative Example: Comparing Two Candidates
This is a hypothetical scenario for illustration, not a real client result.
A Roswell physical therapy practice owner interviews two CPAs.
- CPA A quotes a low fixed fee for the business return. However, the fee excludes quarterly estimates and notice support. They have few health care clients.
- CPA B quotes a higher monthly fee. That fee includes bookkeeping review, a mid-year planning meeting, and notice handling. They regularly work with medical practices.
CPA A looks cheaper at first. But the owner expects to need estimates, has had IRS notices before, and wants help deciding on an S corp election. After pricing those extras with CPA A, the owner finds the gap is smaller than it looked. CPA B's industry experience also tips the decision. The lesson is to compare total expected cost and fit, not just the headline quote.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Promising a specific refund amount before seeing your documents
- Refusing to sign returns they prepared
- No written engagement letter
- Pressure to take aggressive positions without explaining the risk
- Unclear answers about who does the work
Common Mistakes When Hiring a CPA
Waiting until March. Many firms stop taking new clients or have limited capacity during tax season. Start your search in the fall or early winter if you can.
Choosing on price alone. A low fee can turn into a costly mistake if planning opportunities are missed.
Not sharing the full picture. Give the CPA prior-year returns, open notices, and upcoming plans so they can scope the work accurately.
Skipping the reference check. Ask whether they can describe how they've handled situations similar to yours.
Frequently asked questions
Does my CPA need to be located in Roswell?
No. Many CPAs work with clients remotely through secure portals. Still, a Georgia-based CPA will know state-specific rules, and some clients value meeting in person. Decide how much face-to-face contact matters to you.
When is the best time to switch CPAs?
The easiest time is after you file one year's return and before planning for the next year begins. That usually means late spring through fall. Switching mid-year works too, but bring your prior returns and current books so the new CPA has a clean starting point.
Is a CPA different from an enrolled agent or tax preparer?
Yes. CPAs are state-licensed and can provide tax, accounting, and attest services. Enrolled agents are federally authorized tax specialists. Other preparers have varying credentials. The right choice depends on whether you need tax-only help or broader accounting and advisory support.
How many CPAs should I interview?
Two or three is usually enough to compare pricing models and communication styles without getting bogged down. Use the same 10 questions with each one so you can compare their answers directly.
Conclusion: Make Your Shortlist and Start Asking
Choosing a CPA in Roswell is easier when you treat it like any other important hire. Define what you need, verify the license, and ask the same 10 questions of every candidate. Then compare scope, total cost, and fit, not just the price quote. Get every agreement in writing through an engagement letter.
As a next step, write down your compliance, ongoing, and advisory needs, gather last year's returns, and schedule a few consultations. To see how one Roswell-area firm structures its services and the industries it serves, you can start with alfapluscpa and bring these questions to your first conversation.