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Accountants, Lawyers, Financial Planners: Chapter 3 Resources

How do you find a good accountant, lawyer or financial planner? 

Accountants, lawyers and financial planners are best found through referrals from businesses or individuals that you respect.  However, there are several places on the Internet where you will find some very helpful websites involving some of the professional associations related to accountants, lawyers and financial planners. 

Business lawyers:  

Referrals for lawyers are available through your town or city’s local bar association or through legal directories such as Martindale-Hubbell (available at some public libraries or on the Internet www.martindale.com ).  Another helpful site is www.findlaw.com .

Accountants:

Unless you are an accountant, you will probably need to find one immediately.  A bookkeeper can help you to keep track of routine income and expenses, but you will also need regular guidance from a certified public accountant (CPA) to make sure you're making the right accounting decisions and conforming to federal and state tax codes.  Also, a good accountant will also help you to make better financial decisions for your business.  The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (www.aicpa.org) has member accountants throughout the entire country. A good accountant is worth his/her weight in gold. 

Financial planners: 

While you may not realize it at first, starting a small business will have long-term implications for your household finances as well as for your future retirement plans.  Even if your retirement is not in the immediate future, it is still necessary to consider hiring a financial planner, to assist with your personal, household, investment and retirement planning.  You should always make sure to get a certified financial planner.  Certification is absolutely necessary.  You may visit the web site of the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards (www.cfp-board.org) to locate qualified financial planners near you.  You need to watch out however, as many insurance agents like to call themselves financial planners.  Many of these so-called financial planners sell investment plans on commission, and their advice may or may not be worth following. Frequently they recommend products that will yield them a generous commission.

Like always, with all of these professionals, always consult other small business owners operating companies similar to your own.

Resource information from Barnes & Noble Basics: Starting a Business by Joanne Cleaver 

Web page and Starting Your Own Small Business Course by Paul Susic M.A. Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate CEO/President Susic Psychological Consulting P.C.