Most CPA firms charge $100 to $400 per hour, depending on the size of the firm, the amount and type of work you need, and the CPA's education and experience. Some CPA firms charge flat prices based on the service instead.

A CPA firm may charge an hourly rate for tax preparation or fixed fees ranging from $40 to $1,000+ per form, depending on the form and its complexity. Some documents take less than an hour to prepare, while others can take several hours to complete.

A CPA firm is an accounting firm with one or more Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) to provide accounting and financial consulting services to individuals and businesses, including tax preparation and filing. A CPA firm also handles auditing and represents a client for any matters related to the financial documents the firm prepared and filed on their behalf.

CPA firms work with businesses directly to help identify financial problems and implement solutions. They may advise on and assist with anything related to the financial side of a business, including budgeting, payroll, and financial statements and analysis.

When searching for a CPA firm near you, be sure to:

• Look for local firms that are licensed, bonded, insured, and have been in business 5+ years.
• Ask for referrals from other colleagues.
• Check their credentials and licensing status.
• Check out their profile and reviews on Thervo and Google.
• Ask about their specializations and industry experience.
• Have a good understanding of your current finances and needs so you can confirm they align with the CPA firm's expertise.
• Confirm they will sign your tax return and will represent you in front of the IRS for any related matters.
• Confirm they file with the IRS electronically. Filing electronically is safer and faster than using traditional mail.
• Ask about their fee structure.

Consider asking the following questions to help you choose the best CPA firm for your needs:

• What licenses do you have?
• What is your PTIN?
• How big is your firm?
• How long have you been in business?
• Can you provide references with contact information?
• What types of clients do you typically work with?
• Does your firm have experience with businesses like mine?
• What common problems have you helped other businesses with?
• Do you provide audit defense? Have any of your clients been audited?
• Who will be doing the work?
• Who is my direct point of contact?
• What method of communication do you prefer?
• Who else will be working on or reviewing my account?
• How will you keep my information private and protected?
• What are your hours?
• What is your fee structure?