Your business accounting needs might range from tax preparation and financial statements to IPOs. Whether you're a small business looking for a Texas certified public accountant (CPA) to reconcile accounts payable and accounts receivable (AP/AR), or a corporation who needs the services of larger Houston accounting firms, you should start your search for a CPA in Texas by figuring out exactly what your needs are.

When hiring accountants in Texas, or anywhere for that matter, it's important to abide by the 60% rule: make sure any accountant you hire gets at least 60% of her business from, well, business. Remember, you're hiring an accountant to keep your finances in the black and within the law. You want to hire a Texas CPA who keeps abreast of state and federal business regulations. If you're ever audited, you'll be glad your accountant is an expert at keeping business records.

If you choose to go with one of the local, Houston accounting firms, make sure you know the individual you'll be working with. You want somebody who's individually responsible for handling your affairs. It simplifies communication, and ensures that you have a Texas CPA who knows all about the details of your account.

Here are some of the services business accountants in Texas will offer:

1. Handling general ledger, journal entry, AP/AR for your business.
2. Financial planning and year-end financial statements.
3. Tax preparation.
4. Payroll services.
5. Preparing IPOs and conducting internal and external audits.

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

Find the right Texas CPA for your business

Determine whether you need to retain a Texas CPA to handle all of the accounting functions of your business, or if you just need occasional help filing taxes or preparing financial statements. From there, you can decide if you want to use an individual CPA who specializes in specific arenas, or a CPA firm equipped to help in all aspects of your business from financial planning, to Sarbanes Oxley compliance and month-end to payroll.

I recommend: Business accountants in Texas are listed in the Houston Yellow Pages, or you can ask for a referral through the Houston CPA Society.

Don't rule out the Big 4 accounting firms

The Big 4 accounting firms help with growing your business through acquisitions or IPO, searching for business accounting business tools and specializing in Sarbanes Oxley regulatory compliance and HR resources.

I recommend: KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst and Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers all have offices in Texas.

Make sure your accountant is licensed

Ask to see a license before anything is signed. Most legitimate Texas CPA's or accounting firms will be happy to provide you with a copy.

I recommend: Take advantage of State resources. You can look up a CPA in Texas on the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy's website to find out if she or he has a license.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get referrals from your friends and business contacts for CPAs in Texas they recommend.
• •  Make sure you get a Houston accounting firm's fees upfront. In addition to specific accounting services, ask how much additional consultation will cost.