How to Get the Most Out of Your CPA: Tips for First-Time Business Owners
You’ve booked an hour with your CPA, and it's important to know what they need to make the most of that time.
If you’re a first-time business owner, it’s normal to feel a little intimidated. Many startups hand over a stack of documents (or a box of receipts) and hope for the best. But a little prep goes a long way. When your CPA has clean, complete information, they can do more than file your taxes — they can help you plan, find savings, and keep you on track as you grow.
Your CPA Is Not Your Bookkeeper
First things first: your CPA and your bookkeeper are two separate roles. Your bookkeeper’s responsibility is to keep your records organized and current throughout the year. Your CPA uses that information to file taxes and provide strategic advice.
When your books are disorganized, your CPA has to straighten them out first — and you end up paying CPA-level rates for work that a professional bookkeeper could do more affordably and accurately. Keeping everyone aligned saves money and reduces stress.
An Example of Why Preparation Matters
We once worked with a business owner who waited until the last minute, then handed their CPA a box of faded receipts and a half-finished spreadsheet. The CPA had to spend hours piecing it all together, which added hundreds of dollars in fees. Worse, a few legitimate deductions were missed because some expenses never made it into the books at all.
This example shows how keeping clean records can lead to better advice and possibly more savings.
How to Prep for Your CPA — The Smart Way
Here’s what every new business owner should do before they sit down with their CPA:
✅ Gather the right documents. Have your profit & loss statement, balance sheet, bank and credit card statements, any 1099s or W-2s, and records of major purchases or asset sales.
✅ Review your books first. Double-check that transactions are categorized, bank accounts are reconciled, and you haven’t missed anything significant.
✅ Bring clear questions. Your CPA can give you valuable insights if you ask:
Am I saving enough for taxes each quarter?
Are there deductions or credits I’m missing?
What changes should I plan for next year?
✅ Share significant changes. If your revenue jumped, you opened a new location, or you’re hiring contractors, don’t keep it to yourself — this can change your tax position and planning.
✅ Make sure your bookkeeper and CPA talk to each other. When they’re connected, you’re less likely to pay for duplicate work or run into last-minute surprises.
Conclusion: Better Prep, Better Results
When you show up organized, your CPA can focus on what they do best: helping you retain more of your earnings and plan wisely for the future. You pay for strategy — not cleanup.
And that’s precisely where a skilled bookkeeper comes in. At Blackfyre Ledger Systems, we keep your records organized, current, and CPA-ready — so you never have to rush when it’s time to hand over the numbers.
Want to maximize your CPA's effectiveness? Let’s make your financial management smoother and more efficient.
© 2025 by Scott Denis. This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.