Therapy For Your Money
Welcome to Therapy for your Money, a podcast about all things money and finance for private practice owners! If you are ready to feel confident and in-control of your financial life, then you are in the right spot. Therapy for our Money is hosted by Julie Herres, the CEO and Founder of GreenOak Accounting. She and her firm specialize in working with private practice owners across the United States, and have assisted hundreds of private practices with increasing their financial stability and profitability. She is on a mission to share her best practices she's learned along the way through her successful career as an accountant, discusses financial topics with a wide variety of guests, and help her listeners make data driven decisions to help their businesses.
Therapy For Your Money
Episode 50: What should you look for in a bookkeeper, accountant, or CPA?
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Julie Herres
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Season 2
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Episode 50
Balancing your books is definitely a challenge, and we always recommend consulting with a professional to ensure it's done right! We're breaking down the differences between a bookkeeper, accountant, CPA (Certified Public Accountant), and EA (Enrolled Agent), and giving you our recommendations on traits you should look for when choosing a financial professional for your business.
Episode Highlights
- What is an accountant?
- Accountants typically hold an accounting degree and have several years in the accounting field. They are not required to be credentialed (like hold a CPA license) but they can be. There are many types of accountants, such as CPAs, EAs, and Specialty Accountants.
- CPAs (Certified Public Accountant) have passed a 4-part exam and hold a license from the Board of Accountancy.
- EAs (Enrolled Agent) have passed a 3-part test and have a licensed that is issued by the IRS that specializes them in working with taxes and representation.
- Accountants typically hold an accounting degree and have several years in the accounting field. They are not required to be credentialed (like hold a CPA license) but they can be. There are many types of accountants, such as CPAs, EAs, and Specialty Accountants.
- What is a bookkeeper?
- Bookkeepers can have a certification in bookkeeping, but it isn’t always necessary, and they’re typically very skilled in balancing books and running payroll. Bookkeepers do not handle any taxes or IRS notices or audits.
- What characteristics should you look for in your accounting professional?
- Familiar with your industry
- Familiar with your business size
- Experience
- Attentive & Responsive
- Focused on your business needs
Links & Resources
GreenOak Accounting
Therapy For Your Money Podcast