Although it may not seem like it at first glance, health care accounting is more complex and can require specialized knowledge when compared to general accounting duties. So as a medical professional, what should you look for when hiring the best accountants for medical professionals? Here are some of the best qualities to look for in a medical professional accountant.
[Related: The Best Dental Accountants: What to Look For]
Good Referrals
Positive referrals will be a great jumping-off point for your medical CPA search. Ask why your referrer recommends their medical professional CPA, and see whether those qualities meet your specific needs and match what you’re looking for.
If you can, read reviews and contact your potential CPA’s current or past clients to gauge their level of satisfaction and evaluate their experience. It’s important for your CPA to be reliable and trustworthy — especially because they’ll manage both your and your patients’ confidential financial information and records.
Professional Web Presence
An accountant’s web presence has the power to say a lot about them. On the surface, looking at their website or social media profile might teach you about the type of services they offer and their background.
Other aspects, like how up to date their website information is and the types of interactions you see on their social media page, can reveal much about who they are as a professional and what it’s like to work with them.
[Related: 4 Accounting Issues for Dentists We See Again and Again]
Experience in the Medical Industry
Whether your health care facility is a large hospital or a small practice, you’ll need an accountant with experience in the medical industry and everything that goes into health care accounting.
The ideal CPA should be knowledgeable about patient payments, reimbursements, private insurance details and government involvement, as well as routine accounting processes.
Accessibility and Communication Style
One of the biggest factors to consider when looking for a health care CPA is accessibility. When partnering with a large firm, you might not receive the personalized care and attention your practice needs. Of course, if you go to a sole practitioner with your needs, they might not be knowledgeable enough to meet your expectations.
Additionally, assess your potential CPA’s communication style. Do they respond quickly to emails and phone calls? Are they located nearby in case you want a face-to-face meeting? Are they willing to use video conferencing like Zoom to accommodate busy schedules?
Modern Software and Technology Use
Ensure your potential CPA uses current technology. An accountant for medical professionals should stay on top of the latest bookkeeping and accounting software or even attend medical accounting conferences and seminars.
When they remain current, they’re more likely to provide your practice with the best and most organized services.
[Related: The Importance of Healthcare Accounting]
Someone You Can Work With
Lastly, hiring a CPA for your medical practice is sometimes about more than their credentials and how they look on paper.
Choose a person who’s willing to go the extra mile to keep their clients happy and answer your questions honestly. Ideally, they should treat you with respect, be easy to communicate with, hold similar values and be friendly and attentive. After all, you’ll hopefully want to work closely with this person to grow your business and succeed financially.
If the partnership just doesn’t work out, remember that you can always switch to someone who’s a better fit.
Connect With Martin, Bircher, Thompson, PC Today!
If you’re looking for the best accountants for medical professionals, look no further. Here at Martin, Bircher, Thompson, PC, we’re dedicated to helping doctors and dentists build profitable practices.
We offer multiple physician accounting services:
- Accounting services
- Bookkeeping services
- Consulting services
- Financial statement preparation (compilation reports)
- Tax return preparation and tax planning
Learn more about our services for physicians or contact us today to get started.
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