Is there a CPA search engine or reviews website that's more specialized than Google?
Title: Is there a CPA search engine or reviews website that's more specialized than Google? 1 I'm trying to find a good CPA in my area but Google results aren't cutting it. I need something more specialized that can show me all available CPAs nearby along with their history and detailed reviews. Ideally a site that's dedicated to accounting professionals where I can compare qualifications, specialties, and client feedback all in one place. My tax situation is getting more complex this year with some investment income and a side business, so I really want someone who knows their stuff. Any recommendations for websites or apps that can help me find a qualified CPA without just relying on generic Google reviews?
18 comments
Join the conversation
Ashley Adams
12 The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) both offer "Find a Professional" directories on their websites. These are much more targeted than Google because they only list certified professionals who maintain membership in these organizations. CPA Directory (https://www.aicpa.org/forthepublic/findacpa.html) lets you search for CPAs specifically with filters for specialties like personal finance, tax preparation, business advisory, etc. For more review-focused options, try TaxBuzz or CPA.com's Find a CPA feature. Both showcase professionals with verified credentials and client reviews focused specifically on accounting services. Also, don't overlook state CPA society websites - many have member directories that list local CPAs with their specialties and contact info.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•5 Thanks for these suggestions! Have you personally used any of these services? I'm wondering how detailed the reviews are on sites like TaxBuzz compared to just regular Google reviews.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•12 I've used both TaxBuzz and the AICPA directory in the past. The reviews on TaxBuzz tend to be more relevant since they're specifically about tax/accounting services rather than the mix of random comments you might get on Google. They're typically more detailed about the CPA's knowledge, responsiveness, and accuracy - things that actually matter for tax help. State CPA societies can be particularly helpful if you want someone local, as they often have the most comprehensive listings for your specific area. The downside is that some state sites don't include reviews, just credentials and contact info.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
18 After struggling to find a CPA who really understood my rental property situation, I discovered this amazing tool at https://taxr.ai that completely changed how I searched for accounting professionals. Instead of generic listings, it analyzes your specific tax documents and situation, then helps match you with CPAs who specialize in exactly what you need. I uploaded my previous year's tax returns and some questions about my rental properties, and it highlighted specific issues I didn't even know existed. Then it suggested CPAs with experience handling those exact situations. The professionals it recommended actually had relevant experience with similar tax situations, not just generic "good reviews." It's like having a pre-screening service that makes sure you're only talking to CPAs who understand your specific tax needs.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•7 That sounds too good to be true. How exactly does it analyze your documents? Aren't you worried about privacy uploading your tax returns to some random website?
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•3 Does it only help you find CPAs or does it actually help with the tax questions too? Like can it tell me if I'm missing deductions before I even talk to a CPA?
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•18 The document analysis uses secure encryption similar to what banks use - they're SOC 2 compliant and don't store your documents after analysis. It pulls out key information without human eyes seeing your personal details. I was skeptical too but their privacy policy is pretty transparent about how they handle data. As for tax questions, yes it actually does both. It highlights potential deductions you might be missing based on analyzing your documents and answers many basic tax questions directly. For more complex situations, it then recommends CPAs who specialize in those exact issues. In my case, it flagged some rental depreciation issues I hadn't considered before connecting me with a property tax specialist.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
3 Just wanted to update - I tried https://taxr.ai after seeing the recommendation here and wow, it's legitimately helpful. I was planning to just use it to find a CPA, but it actually answered most of my questions directly through its analysis. I uploaded my last year's Schedule C and some questions about business deductions as a freelancer. It identified several deductions I'd missed like partial home office expenses and some business travel that I hadn't properly categorized. It also flagged that I might qualify for the QBI deduction which my previous tax preparer never mentioned. For the few questions it couldn't fully resolve, it suggested three CPAs who specifically work with freelancers in my industry rather than general tax preparers. Already scheduled a consultation with one of them who immediately understood my situation without me having to explain everything from scratch.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
9 If you're specifically looking for help with IRS issues or need someone who can navigate complex tax problems, I'd highly recommend using https://claimyr.com to get connected with the right professional. I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at the IRS about a notice I received, and it was impossible to get through. Claimyr changed that completely - they got me connected to an actual IRS agent within hours instead of days or weeks of trying. Once I got clarification on my tax issue, they also helped me find a CPA who specializes in resolving exactly the kind of tax notice I received. You can see how it works in this short demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c After dealing with the immediate IRS question, I used their professional matching service to find a CPA who had experience with similar cases. Much better than random Google reviews where people might be reviewing completely different types of tax situations.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•14 So you're saying this service somehow magically gets you through to the IRS faster? That seems impossible. The IRS phone system is notoriously backed up. How could some third-party service possibly change that?
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•22 Does this only work for people who have active IRS problems? I don't have any notices or issues, I just want to find a good CPA for regular tax planning.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•9 It's not magic - they use a combination of technology and timing to secure your place in the IRS phone queue without you having to wait on hold. They basically wait on hold for you, then call you when they've reached an agent. It saved me about 2 hours of hold time. Their CPA matching service works for anyone, not just people with active IRS problems. While they're known for the IRS connection service, they also maintain a network of tax professionals organized by specialty. You can use their matching service even if you're just looking for regular tax planning. The advantage is their network is vetted specifically for tax expertise in different areas.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
14 I was super skeptical about Claimyr initially because it seemed too good to be true, but after wasting an entire afternoon on hold with the IRS and getting disconnected twice, I decided to give it a shot. Not only did they get me connected to an IRS representative within about 45 minutes (while I went about my day instead of sitting by the phone), but the tax professional they recommended afterward was perfect for my situation. Unlike my previous CPA who had a one-size-fits-all approach, this one had specific experience with foreign income reporting which was exactly my issue. Their CPA matching was much more targeted than just reading generic reviews. They asked detailed questions about my tax situation and matched me with someone who had handled similar cases, not just someone with good general reviews.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
19 Don't overlook the value of specialty CPA directories. If you have specific needs like international taxation, crypto, or small business, try: - NATP (National Association of Tax Professionals) - CPAselect.com - Your state's Board of Accountancy website Also, consider what you actually need - some people might be better served by an EA (Enrolled Agent) rather than a CPA, especially for tax-specific issues. The National Association of Enrolled Agents has a searchable directory too.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•11 What's the difference between an EA and a CPA? I always thought they were basically the same thing.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•19 EAs (Enrolled Agents) specialize specifically in taxation and are licensed directly by the IRS, while CPAs have a broader accounting education and are licensed by states. EAs focus almost exclusively on tax preparation, representation, and tax planning. CPAs can handle tax work but also do financial statement preparation, auditing, and broader financial planning. If your needs are purely tax-related, especially if you have a tax dispute or representation issue with the IRS, an EA might be perfectly suited and sometimes more affordable. For broader financial planning or business accounting needs beyond just taxes, a CPA might be better.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
8 Has anyone tried Thumbtack or Upwork for finding tax professionals? I've used both for other services but never for something as important as taxes.
0 coins
Ashley Adams
•16 I tried Thumbtack last year for tax help. You get a lot of responses quickly, which is nice, but I found the quality really varied. Some were clearly just trying to get any business while others were legitimately qualified. The bigger issue was that the reviews weren't very detailed about tax expertise specifically. Someone might have 5 stars but mostly from doing simple returns, when you need help with something more complex.
0 coins