What to Ask When Hiring a Tax Advisor
- Miranda Kishel
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
What should I ask when hiring a tax advisor?
Before hiring a tax advisor, ask questions that reveal their experience with small business tax strategy, not just basic preparation. Look for someone who offers year-round planning, not just annual filing. Your advisor should help you save money, reduce risk, and make smarter business decisions—not just fill out forms.
Why this matters
Many business owners hire the wrong kind of help:
A generalist who only works during tax season
A preparer who doesn’t offer strategy
Someone unfamiliar with your entity type or industry
This can cost you thousands in missed deductions, incorrect filings, or poor entity structuring.
Related questions business owners often ask:
“Do I really need a tax advisor if I already use a bookkeeper or QuickBooks?”
“Should I hire a CPA, EA, or someone else?”
“How do I know if they understand my business?”
Smart Questions to Ask a Tax Advisor
Use these as a checklist in your first meeting or discovery call:
✅ Qualifications & Experience
Are you a CPA, EA, or tax attorney?
How many small business clients do you work with?
Are you familiar with [LLCs / S Corps / Partnerships—insert your entity type]?
✅ Planning & Strategy
Do you offer proactive tax planning or just tax prep?
How do you identify savings opportunities throughout the year?
Will you review my current structure and suggest improvements?
✅ Industry & Tools
Do you work with clients in my industry?
What accounting or tax software do you support?
Can you coordinate with my bookkeeper?
✅ Communication & Process
How do you communicate with clients (email, portal, meetings)?
Will I have year-round access to ask questions?
What does your onboarding and review process look like?
Pro Tip: Go Beyond Just the Price
The lowest-cost advisor may not be the best fit. Look for clarity, responsiveness, and strategic insight—not just a fee quote. The right tax advisor pays for themselves many times over.
Action Steps
Book an intro call and come prepared with the checklist above
Request a review of last year’s return—many advisors will spot missed opportunities
Ask how they help clients save on taxes, not just file returns
Choose an advisor who treats your business like a partner, not a number
Common Pitfall
Only asking about tax prep fees. Many business owners miss the bigger picture—ongoing tax strategy, audit readiness, and structure optimization matter more than one-time filing costs.
Want Help?
Looking for a strategic tax partner? Development Theory’s Tax Advising service provides proactive, year-round support to help you make smarter financial decisions and reduce your tax burden.
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