Choosing a CPA: The Questions Business Owners Should Be Asking

Choosing the right CPA is one of the most important decisions a business owner will ever make, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many entrepreneurs assume their CPA is proactively looking for opportunities to reduce taxes and improve efficiency throughout the year, only to realize too late that most planning happens in hindsight.

Today, I’m joined once again by Bayntree’s Director of Corporate Development, Brian Hartstein, for a deeper conversation about how business owners can evaluate whether their CPA is truly the right fit. We break down the different types of CPA firms, the services they provide, and the gaps that often exist between expectations and reality.

We also discussed how entity structure, compensation planning, retirement strategies, and long-term business goals all intersect and why silos between professionals often lead to missed opportunities.

Whether you’re questioning if your current CPA is serving you at the right level, considering a change, or simply want to understand how the best advisory teams work together, this conversation will help you ask better questions, avoid costly blind spots, and build a smarter, more coordinated planning team around your business.

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In this podcast interview, you’ll learn: 

• The key differences between tax preparers, business CPAs, and proactive advisory firms.
• Why most CPAs focus on reporting, not a forward-looking strategy.
• How to evaluate whether your CPA truly understands your business complexity.
• What questions business owners should ask when hiring or reviewing a CPA.
• Why communication between your CPA and financial advisor is critical.