Small retail business owners who need to delegate the company finances should consider CPAs and firms specializing in the retail industry. Accounting or CPA firms perform similar services, including taxation and auditing. Choosing to partner with an accounting firm can save a business owner time, money and aggravation.

Beyond that, business owners need to decide whether to partner with a general financial institute or a specialized firm. Ideally, picking from retail accounting firms is the way to go, since accounting firms in the retail industry are familiar with retail's accounting and operational needs. They can also advise on major industry transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Choosing a CPA that specializes in retail industry ensures the following:

1. Your CPA will be knowledgeable with the accounting needs of the retail business.

2. Retail specialist certified public accountants can suggest qualified, industry-specific ideas for making the most out of a company's revenue.

3. Accounting firms servicing the retail industry can offer industry-specific tools to help balance the books.

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

Decide what CPA retail industry 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 retail clients may just prepare federal taxes and generate financial reports, another may offer more complex services, like audits and longterm financial advising.

I recommend: PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global accounting firm dedicated to assisting small and middle market companies with their retail accounting needs. Parente Randolph, LLC is a national CPA firm that also provides specialized services in the retail industry.

Make sure your prospective retail specific CPAs are committed to customer service

When partnering with a retail accountant or CPA, make sure the firm you choose is as committed to customer service 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: Beers & Cutler is a member of Baker Tilly International, a network of independent accounting and consulting firms servicing clients across the world. BDO Seidman, LLP is a national CPA firm dedicated to assisting clients achieve their goals, from conception to implementation.

Choose from top retail accounting firms with the right technology

When deciding which retail industry CPA to pick, find out what your prospects have to offer in the way of 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 offers their clients technologies and business processes that allow them to improve the way they do business in areas such as Technology Assessments, Security, and System Acquisition. J.H. Cohn LLP will install and support a variety of industry leading accounting software and financial management systems for their clients.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many retail industry certified public accountants 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.