Accountants in Alabama bring expertise and invaluable advice to businesses of all sizes. Whether you need estate planning services, tax advice or assistance with implementing an accounting system, an accountant offers vital support. Finding the right Alabama CPA to meet all of your needs can be challenging because not all accountants provide the same services.

Knowing your business goals is the first step in finding Alabama CPA firms that will meet your current and future needs. Follow these steps to help you find the right Alabama accountants:

1. Search for Alabama accounting firms.

2. Research the validity of affiliations and licenses.

3. Decide which accountant or firm is the best fit.

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

Perform a general search of CPA firms in Alabama

Every Alabama CPA is not full-service. Some specialize in estate planning, tax planning or bookkeeping while others may handle the full spectrum of accounting needs of a small business.

I recommend: The Alabama Society of CPAs website features a referral service to help you find an Alabama CPA that meets your business’ specific needs. The CPA Firms website helps you locate accountants in Alabama for small businesses and provides their websites and email addresses. Finally, AccountantsWorld is a great tool to perform a directory search of top Alabama public accounting firms.

Research the credentials of the Alabama CPA you are interested in working with

Make sure the Alabama accountants you are considering are professional and licensed. Verify their affiliation with local and national accounting associations as well as checking the status of their professional license.

I recommend: The Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy has a search function to allow you to search for licensed accounting professionals by name or location. Etaking verifies the licenses of participating accounting firms and lists them on their website. CPAdirectory is another option to check licensing information on specific Alabama accountants.

Choose public accounting firms in Alabama that meet all of the unique needs of your organization

Your company may have particular goals and not all Alabama accounting firms may offer the service or services that you need. It is important to find one that will fit the best with your current and future business plan.

I recommend: If you need help setting up an accounting system for payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable, then a firm specializing in bookkeeping would be your best bet. Business Services of Alabama, LLC is one possibility, serving the state of Alabama. Another option is Associated Business Services, with service areas that include Montgomery, Millbrook, Prattville and Birmingham. For more involved services like tax planning, you need more advanced Alabama accounting firms. Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P, located in Mobile, offers tax planning as well as tax return preparation and IRS representation services. For a firm that specializes in the needs of small companies, you may consider Padgett Business Services - Mobile, which services the Mobile Bay area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Interview various top Alabama accounting firms before making a decision. Talk to colleagues and members of local accounting associations to find accounting firms in Alabama with stellar records.