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| Frequently Asked Questions
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| What should I look for in selecting a public accounting firm?
Most individuals engage their accountants for many years. Keep in mind that a long-term working
relationship between you and your firm can help you take an informed, consistent approach to
personal, financial, and business challenges and to help you accomplish your financial goals.
What types of services may your CPA provide?
Here are just a few of the services a CPA may be able to offer you:
- Accounting services and advice
- Acquiring a business
- Advice on personal inheritance financial matters
- Auditing services and reports
- Business valuation
- Computer consulting
- Fraud detection and prevention
- Eldercare services
- Tax return preparation and tax planning
- Estate planning
- Financial statements to assist you in making business decisions
- Helping your business grow
- Information systems design and management
How can you get the most value for your accounting fees?
CPAs themselves have some suggestions on how you can make the best use of accounting services and get the most value for their fee: - Gather information about any business or personal financial decisions under consideration
so you are able to ask the CPA specific questions. - Save yourself unnecessary fees by maintaining good financial records and not using your
professional’s time for organizing your paper work. - Be prepared to openly discuss your plans and objectives. CPAs are in the best position to
advise you and serve your interests when they understand your goals. - Be open to advice and suggestions to improve your financial situation. CPAs have vast
experience and are able to assist you with your problems and concerns. Your CPA can be
part of your management team. Their objective advice may directly improve your financial
stability and cash flow. - Clearly explain what you expect from the CPA’s services. Focusing directly at the outset
saves time and money.
What do firms charge for their services? There is not a set of guidelines for what CPAs may charge for engagements. The scope of work
and type of engagement an accountant performs for you determines the amount he/she will charge.
Each situation and business is different, so standard rates are not possible. However, prior to the
engagement, the accountant should be able to provide you with either his/her hourly rates charged,
along with an estimate for the completion of the engagement under typical circumstances.
Should I ask for references?
Ask the accounting firm for the names and telephone numbers of several clients who operate
businesses similar to yours. Then call them. Ask those clients if the accounting firm delivers work
on time and on budget. Find out if telephone calls are promptly returned. Carneiro, Chumney & Co.
offers 24/7 customer service. Our references are available upon request.
What are the benefits of a local firm over a national or international firm?
Because of our wide range of clients and services, Carneiro, Chumney & Co., L.C. is large enough
to provide the service you would normally find at a national or international firm. However, the firm is
not so large that you get lost in the shuffle. Our focus on family owned and closely held businesses
allow us to fulfill our goal to be the financial advisor helping our clients achieve their goals. In addition,
we have the national and international resources through our BDO Seidman Alliance.
What makes Carneiro, Chumney & Co., L.C. different from other accounting firms?
We believe our exceptional client service differentiates us from other accounting firms. We have
found that one key step to attaining this goal is to maintain communications and an open
relationship with our clients on a regular basis throughout the year. These relationships help us
to discuss business and tax developments with our clients, assist management with decision
making processes, and develop solutions to accounting and reporting issues. As our clients will
attest, we pride ourselves in providing timely responses, and practical cost effective solutions to
their various business needs. In addition, our exclusive San Antonio affiliation with BDO Seidman
through the BDO Seidman Alliance gives our clients access to national and international resources.
What are the Carneiro, Chumney newsletters?
Our acclaimed Quarterly e-newsletters will keep you up to date on the latest business and financial
information. We offer a not-for-profit newsletter, a commercial business newsletter, and a personal
finance newsletter. Click here to read the latest news.
What industries does Carneiro, Chumney & Co., L.C. specialize in?
Our service expertise is in the following industries:
We are continually developing specializations and have experience in many different industries.
Because we do want to provide exceptional service, our resources are currently focused on
the above industries.
What services does Carneiro, Chumney & Co., L.C. provide?
Carneiro, Chumney & Co. offers a full range of accounting services to clients of all types and sizes.
For individuals, these services include proactive tax planning and preparation, tailored to the client’s
stage of life and considering his/her long-term objectives.
For small businesses whose diverse needs many accounting firms tend to overlook, we offer
a dedicated division of experts, with experience in every stage of the business life cycle, from
start-ups through various stages of growth.
For private, middle-market companies, we offer exceptional expertise for traditional audit and
tax services. We also offer help and expertise in issues such as succession planning, buy/sell
agreements, cost controls, valuation, litigation support, and international expansion.
We also provide:
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