Accountants in Utah

A guide to finding a CPA in Utah who will help your business grow
By M. Krasniak, Freelance Writer/Editor Accountants in Utah provide valuable advice and accounting services to companies of all sizes. Whether you need tax advice or want to implement an accounting system, a professional accountant offers critical assistance. Finding the right Utah accounting firms can be challenging, as not all accountants provide the same services.
 

Knowing what you want to accomplish through your relationship with your Utah accountant is the first step in finding a professional or firm that will meet all of your current and future needs. Follow these steps to help you find a CPA in Utah who will meet the needs of your organization:

1. Search for accountants in Utah.

2. Research the credentials of accountants in Utah to ensure validity.

3. Decide which Utah accountant is the best fit for your company’s needs.

Perform a general search of Utah accounting firms

Not all Utah accountants are full-service. Some specialize in different aspects of accounting such as estate planning or bookkeeping and others deal with the full range of small business accounting needs.
Try: The Utah Association of Certified Public Accountants offers a free referral service to help you find an accountant in your city who meets your needs. The CPA Firms website is another good option to locate Utah CPAs. You may also want to check out the City of Salt Lake City website as it lists local accountants as well.

Confirm the credentials of the Utah CPA firms or professionals that you are interested in

It is important to make sure that the accounting firms in Utah that you are considering are professional, have a good reputation and have legit and current credentials. Look into their affiliation with recognized accounting associations and clubs as well as the status of their professional license.
Try: The Utah Board of Accountancy has a search feature where you can verify the licenses of accounting professionals throughout the state. Etaking does the work for you by verifying the credentials of participating accounts and lists them on their website. CPADirectory is another option to check licensing information on specific Utah accounting firms. Finally, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has a search feature where you can look up CPAs by name to check the status of their licenses.

Choose a Utah CPA firm that meets the needs of your business both now and in the future

Your business has certain accounting needs and not all accounting firms offer every possible service. It is important to find one who will fit the best with your team and company values as this person will be working closely with you.
Try: For jobs like setting up an accounting system to help with payroll and accounts payable, consider using an accounting firm that specializes in bookkeeping. Cloward & Sorenson, LLC is one example, serving cities throughout the state of Utah. Another option is Averett & Associates, PC, located in Salt Lake City. They serve the areas of Provo, Ogden and Park City. For more involved services like tax planning, consider looking into more advanced Utah public accounting firms. Ron R. Valentine, CPA, who serves the cities of Kaysville, Provo, Salt Lake City and Ogden, offers tax and financial planning services as well as IRS representation. Madsen & Company out of South Jordan specializes in small companies and serves West Jordan, Provo and Salt Lake City.

• Get references from colleagues and local accounting associations and clubs to help you find a CPA in Utah with an exceptional reputation and a proven track record of personalized service. Utah accountants serve clients in a wide range of industries. Find one of those clients in your industry and ask about the pros and cons of working with a particular firm or professional.