Business owners should consider joining an accounting forum when looking to broaden their accounting knowledge. Occasionally, you don't just need accounting information, you need an answer, and an accounting forum may be able to provide you with that answer.

Online accountant or CPA discussions are gaining popularity, so they're easy to search out online.

Some CPA or accountant discussion forums allow you to view their forums as a guest, but you may be required to register as a user if you wish to post a question or comment. Join a reputable online accounting discussion group. To accomplish this, consider the following:

1. There are a variety of accounting websites out there, so do a little online research to find which sites offer accounting forums where you can view and post discussions and questions.

2. Some forums may be more targeted than others, so read a few of the posts from various accounting discussion groups.

3. Most likely you'll be able to view the posts on an accounting forum or CPA forum as a guest, but should you wish to post a question or add a comment, you'll probably be required to join or register as a user at that site.

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

Research a few different accounting websites and accounting forums before joining

While we all hope that the information we're reading on the Internet is viable, we know that may not always be the case. Anyone could deem themselves an 'expert' on any particular subject, so before you venture out to the information super highway with your accounting question, make sure you're at a legitimate accounting website before joining a forum.

I recommend: Browse or consider joining these accounting organizations and institutes' websites. AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) has a wealth of good information, as does VeraSage. You might find the answer to your accounting question there, before you even join an online accounting forum.

Read the posts of the accounting forum or discussion group to ensure that they are active

You don't want to post your question on an accounting forum that hasn't seen an update or submission since 1995. You'll likely wait a long time for an answer.

I recommend: View the discussion forums and postings on your chosen website, such as on AccountantsWorld, to make sure that they are regularly updated. Some sites, like CPAFinder, may have a recently added questions or topics list, which will help you get an idea of how recent the site's information is.

Join the accounting forum and post your question

Once you've joined an accounting forum or accounting discussion group online, simply post your specific accounting question to the discussion board or forum.

I recommend: The Intuit forum is absolutely free to join, and is a great place to post your questions. Universal Accounting's site offers a frequently asked questions link if you're having problems posting a question.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Online forums and blogging are becoming increasingly popular. An accountant forum, various accounting groups, or a CPA discussion group might answer your accounting questions, but don't stop there. Consider the information that other discussion boards or forums could provide you and your business.