Questions to ask before choosing an accountant

En bref : avant de confier vos chiffres à quelqu'un, sept questions suffisent à séparer un vrai professionnel d'un profil incertain. La bonne nouvelle : Bankeo vérifie déjà l'essentiel pour vous, gratuitement, dans le cadre de l'Indice Bankeo et ses plus de 20 critères.

Choosing an accountant isn't just about comparing fees. It's about ensuring the person is reliable, insured, competent, and a good fit for your situation. Here are the questions to ask, and what a good answer looks like.

1. Are you covered by professional liability insurance?

A good answer: yes, up-to-date, with proof of insurance available. This is your protection if a mistake occurs. No insurance, no safety net.

2. Are you registered with a professional order?

If an accountant presents themselves as a CPA, they must be registered and in good standing with the CPA Order (Quebec or Ontario). You don't always need a CPA, but if they claim to be one, it must be true and verifiable.

3. How long have you been practicing, and under which company?

You're looking for a real, registered company with experience, not an anonymous profile. Knowing who you're entrusting with your figures is fundamental.

4. Are you familiar with my sector?

An accountant who understands your industry (restaurants, construction, technology, healthcare, real estate) knows your deductions and potential pitfalls. Ask for concrete examples of clients in your field.

5. Do you have any clients who can provide testimonials?

A true reputation is verified. Reviews, references, a history: that's reassuring. A blank page is less so.

6. How do you set your fees and what is included?

Vous voulez de la clarté : un prix annoncé d'avance, ce qui est compris, ce qui ne l'est pas. La transparence évite les mauvaises surprises. Pour situer les ordres de grandeur, un comptable pour une PME au Québec coûte en médiane environ 3 000 $ par an, de 500 $ à 6 000 $ selon le secteur, du travailleur autonome à la société incorporée. Ce sont des fourchettes d'orientation, pas votre prix : voyez le détail dans le Baromètre Bankeo des honoraires.

7. How and how often will we communicate?

A good accountant responds quickly and remains available over the long term, not just during tax season. Availability is a tangible, everyday reality.

The good news: Bankeo already meets the essentials for you

Asking these questions to each accountant, demanding supporting documents, cross-checking the answers: that takes hours of work. That's exactly what Bankeo Index does for you.

Avant de vous présenter un comptable, Bankeo vérifie son assurance, son entreprise, son inscription à l'ordre pour les CPA, ses avis clients et sa maîtrise de votre secteur, parmi plus de 20 critères. Vous, vous gardez le choix final, gratuitement et sans engagement. Et si la relation ne convient plus, même plus tard, on vous en retrouve un autre, sans frais.

Avoid the checklist, keep the result. Find your ideal, vetted accountant.

In summary

• Seven questions are enough to judge an accountant: insurance, professional order, company, sector, opinions, fees, communication.
• Installing and checking them takes time that few entrepreneurs have.
• Bankeo has already checked the essentials for you, free of charge, with the Bankeo Index .