How to choose a CPA

Picking the right CPA is mostly about filtering well. The downside of a wrong fit (surprise invoices, slow responses, missed elections, refiled returns) is bigger than most people realize. A 30-minute, structured process up front prevents most of it.

Step 1: verify the license

Every state board of accountancy publishes a license lookup. Search the CPA's name in the state where they practice. Confirm the license is active and shows no disciplinary action. This single step eliminates the most common downside and takes two minutes. Anyone advertising as a CPA without an active license is committing a state crime, but it does happen, especially online.

Step 2: match practice to situation

A CPA who handles your situation weekly will catch elections, deductions, and structural opportunities a generalist won't. Ask directly:

• How many active clients do you have in my industry or situation?
• What's the smallest and largest engagement of this type you currently handle?
• What's a common mistake you see in this area?

The third question is the most useful. A CPA who can name a common mistake in your specific situation has seen it enough times to matter. Vague answers ("we do a bit of everything") often signal a generalist.

Step 3: confirm representation rights

Anything involving the IRS (audit, exam, collections, appeals) requires a CPA, EA, or tax attorney. If the CPA you're considering would refer you out for representation, understand who that referral goes to. For a tax-only practice, an EA is fully equivalent at a lower cost. See CPA vs accountant vs EA.

Step 4: understand pricing

Get the pricing structure in writing before signing. The three common models:

• Flat fee per return. Most common for tax preparation. Confirm exactly which forms are included.
• Hourly. Common for advisory and IRS controversy. Ask for a not-to-exceed estimate when possible.
• Monthly retainer. Common for bookkeeping plus advisory. Confirm what's in scope and what triggers additional billing.

A quote without exclusions almost always has surprise invoices attached. Compare quotes against the 2026 fee benchmark to gauge whether the price is in range.

Step 5: test responsiveness

Tax has deadlines. A CPA who takes five days to return an email in January will take three weeks in April. Send a few questions during the evaluation period and time the responses. Slow responses now predict slow responses later.

Questions to ask in the first call

1. How many clients in my industry or situation do you currently serve?
2. What's your pricing structure for this type of engagement?
3. What's included in the fee, and what's billed separately?
4. Who will I be working with day-to-day? (Partner, manager, staff?)
5. How quickly do you respond to email and calls during tax season?
6. Do you handle IRS representation if that becomes necessary?
7. What's the engagement letter look like? Can I see a sample?
8. How do you handle out-of-scope questions during the year?

Red flags

• Vague pricing. "It depends" without a follow-up scoping call is a warning.
• No active state board license. Walk away immediately.
• Promises of huge refunds without seeing your situation. The ERC fraud wave and similar schemes hide behind this exact pitch.
• High-pressure sales calls. CPAs who hire boiler-room style sales teams often deliver boiler-room style service.
• No engagement letter. A handshake engagement is usually a sign that scope and price will be debated later.
• Only contactable through a call center. You want a name and a direct line for IRS matters.

Get matched with a vetted CPA

We pre-screen CPAs for active state licensing, industry fit, and pricing clarity, then introduce you to one whose practice matches your situation.

Frequently asked questions