HOW TO CHOOSE A CPA - Seven Very Important Questions You Should Ask

1. How will your CPA learn about your business,not just at the beginning, but throughout your business relationship?
   
   By making routine visits, Matthew Person, CPA & Associates will gain valuable knowledge about your business.
   
   
2. What types of clients does your prospective CPA service?
   
   Matthew Person, CPA & Associates has a broad based client list that makes it obvious they are highly qualified to handle any business, including yours. We serve clients in Legal, Construction, Medical, Retail and a variety of different industries.
   
3. Does your prospective CPA get feedback from his/her clients to find out how their performance is rated?
   
   As a matter of practice, Matthew Person, CPA & Associates have their clients surveyed to find out what they have been doing well and where they need improvement. In March 2004, here is how Matthew Person, CPA & Associates measured up:
   
   

   97% of our clients reported that our performance had equaled or exceeded their expectations.
   99% of our clients say they would recommend Matthew Person, CPA & Associates to other businesses.
   88% have already referred clients to Matthew Person, CPA & Associates.
   98% of Matthew Person, CPA & Associates clients said that if they had to do it all over again they would hire Matthew Person, CPA & Associates.

   
   
   
4. How long will it typically take for your CPA to respond to your call?
   
   Knowing a CPAs response policy is very important for the communication and confidence necessary to build a strong working relationship. Matthew Person, CPA & Associates commits to all clients to return their calls within 4 business hours. NO EXCEPTIONS.
   
   
5. When your CPA is unavailable, is there someone on their staff who can help you quickly and knowledgeably?
   
   Matthew Person, CPA & Associates has a cross-training policy. They routinely review and orient each other on the clients they work with in order to eliminate downtime should they be unavailable for their clients.
   
   
6. While your CPA can't be at your office all of the time, they can be available to you 100%of the time?
   
   Training your in-house staff in accounting procedures and proper use of accounting software is one of the most important ways to insure you are getting the most out of your CPAs expertise. Matthew Person, CPA & Associates is certified, not only to train your staff in the proper use of Quick Books and Peachtree software, but Matthew himself is a certified Quickbooks ProAdvisor and one of the few in Louisiana who trains other CPAs. He has personally trained over 1000 other CPAs around the nation. When it comes to QuickBooks or Peachtree, there are few with more expertise than Matthew Person. The entire professional staff are also certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors.
   
   
7. What do your prospective CPAs clients have to say about them?
   
   In March 2004, here is what some of our clients had to say:
   
   

   Matthew was willing to help a start up company like ours when other CPAs weren't interested. Alex Todd, Airwalk Adventures- Kenner, LA

   I really like the aggressive approach he took inside my practice. The new billing procedures he put in place have improved things considerably. We are collecting additional money that we never expected to collect. Dr. Gregory Ward, Gregory Ward, MD, LTD, Baton Rouge, LA

   His personal attention to our account has made me very happy. Thanks for Matthew's help in implementing PCLaw as our operating accounting program. It has given us the ability to track our client costs much more effectively. John Venezia, Venezia Law Corp, Metairie, LA

   Matthew is a great CPA as well as a great person. He was extremely helpful with our Peachtree software. Sylvia Hanks, City of Westwego, Westwego, LA

   Matthew Person, CPA & Associates came recommended by the SBA. I found other COA firms don't give me the time and attention to detail that I needed. Diedra Hodges, Computer Solutions, New Orleans, LA