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When most people think of Accountants, they associate the word with large corporations. What many individuals and small business owners don’t realize is that they need accountants just as much as those large corporations do – and maybe even more so! In our changing world, the luxury of having an accountant is no longer just enjoyed by big businesses – average people and business owners benefit as well.

Accountants are not as expensive as you may think. Often, the money that the accountant can save you in the long run more than pays their salary. Accountants typically charge by the hour, but in many cases, such as the case of small businesses, they are quite willing to work out a flat monthly fee. Accountants are not simple bookkeepers. It is important to realize that there is a difference. Bookkeepers simply keep the books, making sure that all financial transactions are entered into the books, and that a running balance is kept. Accountants do much, much more.

Another misconception is that accountants are only hired to do taxes. This is absolutely not the case. Accountants also fill the role of financial advisor. If you are in the market to buy a home, your accountant will be able to tell you exactly what you can afford, and even help you negotiate a mortgage that works with your financial situation by telling you what to do and what to ask the mortgage lenders. In a business situation, an accountant can help you grow your business by making suggestions and telling you what you can and cannot afford.

Individuals use accountants for a variety of reasons. Most often, they want to insure that they have enough money to retire, and an accountant helps them set up their retirement funding to do that very thing. But a good accountant can help individuals in many other ways as well. They can help you cut your tax bills, finance your children’s educations, help you invest your money the right way, help you start a business, and help ensure that your bills get paid on time every month. They also work with you to create and stick to a budget.

Individuals often do not have long-term, ongoing relationships with accountants. Usually, once a budget is set, retirement programs are set up, and college funds are established, they find that they no longer have need of an accountant. For this reason, individuals usually pay accountants by the hour, and in fact, the relationship still technically exists, even if you do not meet with your accountant on a weekly or monthly basis. When tax time rolls around, you will be visiting your accountant again. That accountant will also be there to advise you in times of financial troubles.

Accountants understand money, and they understand businesses and people. When a business owner needs a business lawyer, the first person they often ask for a referral is their accountant. When an individual needs the best deal on a mortgage, the accountant almost always knows exactly who they need to talk to. Accountants build networks of business professionals that you will probably need at some point during the operations of your business, as well as during the day to day living of your personal life.

Accountants can be found locally, as well as globally with the use of the Internet. In most cases, it is better to hire a local accountant that you can physically visit. However, after that, many accountants will communicate with clients via the Internet or telephone. It is cheaper to send your accountant an email with your question than it is to make an appointment for a visit at the accountant’s office.