How to find a reputable CPA in my area after my current one is leaving?

So my CPA of the last few years just told me he's moving away, and now I'm on the hunt for someone new to handle my taxes. The weird thing is, I've called like 6 different CPA firms in my area and literally NONE of them pick up the phone? Seems like I have to email them first just to get a response these days. I'm feeling a bit lost about what I should even be looking for in a qualified CPA. My previous guy was great - he charged me a flat annual fee that covered both my business and personal taxes. Is that normal, or should I expect to be charged for every single document/form they handle? Anyone have tips on finding a good CPA who won't nickel and dime me for everything? I run a small construction business and do some side consulting, so I need someone who can handle both personal and business stuff without breaking the bank.

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19 comments

Nasira Ibanez

•8M

Tax professional here. Finding a good CPA definitely takes some work, but it's worth the effort! The phone issue you're experiencing is unfortunately common - many accounting firms are understaffed and overwhelmed, especially during tax season. Email is typically the best first contact method these days. When searching for a qualified CPA, look for: 1) Someone with experience in your specific industry (construction in your case) 2) Credentials beyond just the CPA license (tax specializations, etc.) 3) References or reviews from similar businesses 4) Clear communication about their fee structure Speaking of fees, both flat fee and itemized billing are common practices. Flat fees tend to work better for predictable situations, while itemized billing might be more appropriate for complex cases. Your previous arrangement sounds ideal for your situation - don't be afraid to ask potential CPAs if they offer similar flat fee arrangements. I'd recommend using the AICPA's CPA directory or your state CPA society's referral service as starting points. These are vetted professionals who maintain their credentials.

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Nasira Ibanez

•8M

The ideal time to find a new CPA is actually during the summer (May-August) when most tax professionals have more availability. This gives them time to review your previous returns and get familiar with your situation before the next tax season ramps up. If you're currently looking during tax season (January-April), you might find many CPAs are too busy to take on new clients immediately. In that case, you might need to file an extension and work with them after the April rush.

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Myles Regis

•8M

After struggling with finding a good accountant for my small business, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it's been amazing for getting clarity on what to look for in a tax professional. I uploaded my previous returns, and it analyzed everything to show me exactly what specialized experience my business needs in a CPA. It highlighted some construction-specific deductions my previous guy missed that I didn't even know about! The tool gave me specific questions to ask potential CPAs based on my actual tax situation, which was super helpful when interviewing new accountants. The insights made me sound way more knowledgeable during consultations instead of just asking generic questions.

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Myles Regis

•8M

The tool analyzes your past returns and identifies specific tax situations in your documents that require specialized knowledge. For example, it flagged that I had equipment depreciation and vehicle expenses that could be optimized, indicating I needed someone with construction industry experience. I definitely still hired a CPA, but the tool made me a much more informed client. It mainly helped me understand what questions to ask and what expertise to look for, showing me the specific parts of my return where I needed specialized help. I found I got much better responses from potential CPAs when I could ask specific questions about my actual tax situation rather than general questions.

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Jacinda Yu

•8M

Just wanted to follow up that I ended up trying taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here! It was actually really eye-opening - I uploaded my last few years of returns and it highlighted several missed deductions specific to my freelance work that I didn't know about. The coolest part was the guided interview questions it generated for CPA consultations. I felt WAY more confident interviewing potential accountants when I could ask about specific tax situations rather than generic questions. I ended up finding a great CPA who specializes in my industry and offers a flat quarterly fee structure that works perfectly for me. The CPA was actually impressed with how prepared I was for our first meeting! Definitely helped me find someone who was the right fit rather than just picking randomly.

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Landon Flounder

•8M

If you're struggling to even get CPAs to answer their phones (especially during tax season), I had the same issue last year! I tried Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) when I was desperate to talk to the IRS about a notice I got, and it actually works for getting through to busy accounting firms too. I was shocked when it actually got someone on the phone after I'd been trying for days. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically it waits on hold for you and calls you when a human answers. I used it to contact three different accounting firms that never answered my calls directly, and it worked every time. Once I actually got to talk to them, it was way easier to determine which one was the right fit for my situation.

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Landon Flounder

•8M

You're not just paying for a call - you're paying to skip hours of hold time and actually get a human on the phone who can answer your questions immediately. Voicemails and emails often get lost or take days for responses, especially during busy season. When you're trying to evaluate multiple CPAs quickly, actually speaking to them gives you much better information than email exchanges. Yes, it absolutely works for calling businesses besides the IRS, including CPA firms, insurance companies, airlines, etc. - basically anywhere with long hold times. The service works the same way regardless of who you're calling. You just enter the phone number you want to call, it waits on hold for you, and then calls you when someone answers. It saved me hours of frustration and helped me connect with firms that I otherwise couldn't reach.

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Callum Savage

•8M

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After dismissing it initially, I was still struggling to get ANY local CPAs to pick up their phones during tax season. Out of desperation, I gave the service a try last week and was shocked when I actually got connected with 3 different accounting firms in one afternoon. The best part was being able to have actual conversations with multiple CPAs back-to-back instead of playing weeks of phone tag. I asked each the same questions about their experience with construction businesses and their fee structures, and the differences in their responses were really telling. Found a great CPA who specializes in contractor taxes AND offers a flat quarterly fee like I wanted. Would never have connected with them without getting past their gatekeeper!

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Aliyah Debovski

•8M

Former CPA office manager here - the reason nobody answers the phone is most firms are SEVERELY understaffed right now! We had 2 receptionists quit last year and couldn't replace them. My advice is to use email but put "New Client Referral" in the subject line (even if you weren't referred). That gets flagged as high priority in most systems. Also, ask specifically about their billing practices upfront. Some firms have moved to "value billing" where they charge based on the complexity of your situation rather than hourly. This can be better for business owners as it's more predictable. If they won't discuss fees in the initial consultation, that's a red flag!

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Aliyah Debovski

•8M

For a small construction business, I generally recommend a mid-sized local firm rather than either extreme. The smallest firms (1-2 CPAs) often lack specialized industry knowledge and may not have the bandwidth during busy season. The largest firms typically focus on bigger clients and charge premium rates. A mid-sized local firm with 5-10 CPAs often hits the sweet spot - they typically have at least one person with construction industry expertise but still provide personalized service. They're also more likely to offer flexible billing arrangements like the flat fee model you prefer. Just make sure to ask specifically if they have other clients in construction and what percentage of their practice it represents.

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