If you're a business owner in the agriculture industry ready to outsource the company finances, agriculture accounting might be the way to go. Most accounting or CPA firms will be able to handle many aspects of your business's general financial transactions. Partnering with an accounting firm can save you valuable time and money.

Beyond that, you must decide to partner either with a general accounting firm or a specialized firm. Essentially, choosing agriculture accounting services makes more sense. Only agriculture accountants are familiar with the emergence of global free-trade and tightening government subsidies and regulations. Choosing from accountants for agriculture ensures the following:

1. Your CPA will be knowledgeable of the accounting needs of an agriculture company.

2. A specialized agriculture CPA firm can suggest qualified, industry-specific ideas for making the most out of your revenue.

3. Accountancy firms servicing the agriculture industry can offer industry-specific tools to help you balance your books.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide what agriculture accounting services you need for your small business

Not only do specialized accounting firms cater to your specific industry, but their individual services vary across the board. Make a list of any financial services you think you want. Where one accounting company for agriculture clients may just prepare federal taxes and generate financial reports, another may offer more complex services, such as audits and longterm financial advising.

I recommend: LarsonAllen is a national CPA firm that offers specialized services in the agriculture industry. Clifton Gunderson's services for the agriculture industry include government assistance programs applications; they can also help you hire and train your internal accounting staff.

Make sure your agriculture CPA is committed to customer service

When partnering with an agriculture accountant or CPA, make sure the firm you choose is as committed to keeping the client happy as you are. You need a partner you can rely on. More importantly, you need one that offers knowledgeable customer representatives, prompt response times and detailed reports on the status of your account.

I recommend: Crowe is a leading national CPA firm focused on accounting needs for midsized companies. Kennedy and Coe, LLC seeks to enhance the well-being of their clients. Their services include compensation planning, entrepreneurial services, and human resources consulting.

Choose from top agricultural accounting firms with the right technology

When deciding which agriculture industry CPA to pick, find out what your prospects have to offer in the way of agriculture accounting software. Sure, human expertise is important. But the right tools can help organize your complicated finances and improve the flow of your day-to-day operations.

I recommend: Moss Adams LLP has programs that analyze salaries and benefits, staffing, financial performance, business costs, and other expenses. Carr, Riggs & Ingram will can help your company use QuickBooks, MAS 90/200, Cougar Mountain and MS Great Plains.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many agriculture CPAs offer web portals where clients can log in to view the status their transactions. The ability to keep an eye your account remotely is a great time saver.