Looking for a reliable Certified Public Accountant? Have you been searched the web for phrases like “CPA near me?” Or “best CPA Birmingham?” Are you searching for CPA firms with the best reviews? Or for accounting?
Being in business requires a proficient Birmingham CPA. You have to make sure your business not only keeps up with the ‘accounting’ but you have to be sure to file proper documentation with the IRS, file comprehensive tax returns. You have to keep tabs on the company’s current financial health by knowing your profit and loss. A CPA helps you do that with P& L statements based on incoming revenue and outgoing expenses.
A good Birmingham CPA is one of your most trusted advisors, or should be, for good reason. They count the beans, so to speak. Any business or organization (including nonprofits), small or large, need valuable, competent CPAs to do the financial calculations so you can keep your head down, doing the things that make the business profitable.
A CPA can make or break your business by ensuring you protect yourself from losses and help you maximize your profits while keeping your write offs in accordance with IRS tax coded. If accounting isn’t your specialty, you really need to leave it up to someone who is actively staying up-to-date on changes and has the credentials to advise you.
Choosing the wrong Birmingham CPA can hurt your business and bring pain to you emotionally and financially.
One of the most common complaints of business owners’ is “My accountant is hard to reach.” You want the Birmingham CPA who is on top of their business and stays in touch with you, if needed.
Doing research on CPAs will help you make the right decision about who to trust. Fortunately, we have done your initial research to help you with your decision. We’ve narrowed down the top 10 CPAs in the greater Birmingham area. Our research has shown who the talented, experienced CPAs are. They have good reviews and ratings, some history, and their costs are in line with what you can expect from the area. And they provide exceptional services.
These are the Top 10 CPAs in the Birmingham AL Area
Brothers CPA, PC
Brothers CPA, PC is a full-service accounting firm dedicated to providing clients with professional, personalized services and guidance in a wide range of financial and business needs.
The firm strives to maximize their client’s after-tax income and demonstrates professional competence. They meet the accounting and investment needs of clients who seek to satisfy the record-keeping and report filing requirements of doing business and paying taxes in the U.S. The firm wants to help maximize profits and pays special attention to changes in tax laws and reporting procedures. The experienced, professional CPAs assist with tax preparation and tax planning, provide clients with an optimal return as well as helping them to use their statements in managing the business and increasing the client’s profitability. They can act as a sounding board for investment ideas and suggest the best structure to maximize investments with tax strategies.
The firm also works with client’s bankers, lawyers, insurance agents and/or other advisors to solve business problems. Brothers, CPA believes an accountant should make their client’s life easier. They are committed to providing the highest level of personalized service to clients.
Brothers CPA, PC
3072 Sunview Drive
Birmingham, AL 35243
(205) 444-9281
https://www.brotherscpa.com/home
Horton, Lee, Burnett, Peacock, Cleveland & Grainger, P.C.
While you can shorten the name, it will not shorten the services from the experienced team of Certified Public Accountants at this firm. They don’t use the term ‘experienced’ lightly. HLB has been doing accounting since 1967. With a staff of 19 CPAs, HLB is here 365 days a year to help clients reach both personal and business goals.
Choosing HLB is a critical factor in a client achieving personal and business financial goals. The decision to choose HLB represents a major step and the only way clients can ensure that the firm’s philosophy and technical capabilities match theirs is to a discussion about the client’s requirements and expectations.
What can HLB do for the clients’ short term and long term financial goals? They are more than pencil pushers. They are real CPAs working to partner with their clients.
The firm is guided by a simple philosophy— excellence! They believe excellence is the highest level of personal service and attention.
It can be achieved by working together as a team.
In 1967, what would later become Horton, Lee, Burnett, Peacock, Cleveland, & Grainger, was established by two founding partners, Cooper Horton, Jr. and H.B. Lee, Jr. These men shared a dream of developing a prominent and distinguished accounting firm in the Birmingham business community. With that solid beginning, the firm has become one of the top-level CPA firms in Birmingham.
Because of the firm’s size and the specialized talents of professionals, they can serve a diverse group of clients, no matter the size, industry, and accounting requirements.
By consistently developing a client base and carefully controlling growth, the firm’s sound management and financial strength has made them reliable enough to foster long-lasting client relationships. Many clients have been with then since the firm began, a striking testimony to both the firm’s stability and commitment to service.
Horton, Lee, Burnett, Peacock, Cleveland & Grainger, P.C.
3800 Colonnade Pkwy, Suite 500
Birmingham, AL 35243
205.967.9744
https://www.hortonlee.com/
RANDALL M. HANCOCK, CPA
With a combined 50 years of experience, the Haycocks are a proven team to represent the tax and accounting profession. Their mission is to bear the burden of their clients’ financial, accounting and tax needs. To accomplish this, they create an environment of free-flowing communication with clients so that they can be trusted and involved financial advisors.
Hancock CPA PC has served the Gardendale area for over 17 years and have a combined 50 years of experience. When a client commits to doing business with the firm, they make 3 commitments to each client for the chance to serve that client’s family or business.
The firm pro-actively seeks out the maximum deductions and credits legally (and ethically) allowable under the tax code on each client’s behalf. They seek it out. They commit to a conversational relationship with clients. Clients regularly hear from them about actionable, pertinent and jargon-free financial info and advice applicable to the family or business. They commit to being responsive. Clients tell them how refreshing it is to deal with a firm that responds in a timely manner to questions, feedback or concerns. All tax and accounting professionals are not the same. Most fly through tax season in a bleary-eyed mess, hopped-up on caffeine. Hancock treats clients like they are NOT a number.
RANDALL M. HANCOCK, CPA
2937 7th Avenue South #100
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: (205) 715-4488
https://cpaofbirmingham.com/
Haynes Downard, LLP
Haynes Downard, LLP provides clients with the highest level of client service and professional support. They go beyond the numbers to partner with clients—working year-round to ensure they stay on a healthy financial path. The firm offers an advanced technology platform to give convenient, real-time access to client’s financial documents and to the staff.
Accurate and timely tax and accounting information and financial services are a necessity for any successful business or personal financial situation. The firm provides comprehensive services that help clients achieve their financial objectives.
Haynes Downard, LLP
Cahaba Heights Office
3161 Cahaba Heights Rd. Suite 203
Vestavia Hills, AL 35243
(205) 254-3380
Jasper Office
405 10th Avenue
Jasper, AL 35501
(205) 221-6109
https://www.haynesdownard.com/
Tidwell Group
2015 was the banner year when this firm became known as Tidwell Group. Clients enjoy the talents of the have joined forces that strengthen the firm better serve them. The vision for the firm is value creation – providing unsurpassed, value-added, personalized service at reasonable fees. With roots dating back to 1997, the firm is recognized by industry trade groups as one of the fastest-growing in the country – culminating in a number one ranking in 2017.
By using a hands-on approach with clients and assisting them in navigating the difficulties with the various economic changes, the firm continues to champion the mission of providing unsurpassed service and value creation to clients.
The firm is widely recognized as a national provider of audit, tax and consulting services to several industries across the country.
Tidwell Group continues to pursue the mission of protecting client interests. They help clients survive the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities. Tidwell Group is a trusted advisor in the business arena.
What differentiates Tidwell Group from other accounting and consulting firms? They foster an environment that values contributions and solutions from employees at all levels of the organization – which helps clients fostering their own environment of personal and professional growth. This supports efforts to maintain a team that is committed to the organization’s core values.
Tidwell Group
2001 Park Place, Suite 900
Birmingham, AL 35203
205.822.1010
https://tidwellgroup.com/
KASSOUF & CO., P.C.
Accountants can provide you with high levels of expertise and a broad industry perspective. Kassouf & Co., P.C. empowers their team of experts to work with clients in developing effective strategies specific to their organization.
The firm, built in 1931, is based on the relationship between clients and the staff who serve them. Several layers of expert team members to ensure clients’ needs are met. At least two members of the staff work closely with every client. When needed, clients find them there to help. That means Kassouf clients have experienced people who know them, available when their clients need them.
Kassouf & Co., P.C.’s trusted advisers invest in clients to learn their values and goals.
KASSOUF & CO., P.C.
2101 Highland Avenue South, Suite 300
Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone: 205-443-2500
https://www.kassouf.com/
Borland Benefield
What makes Borland Benefield different? For them, it’s about making a connection, understanding clients, their business, their goals and giving them the guidance to achieve all of them. Clients span a multitude of industries, including non-profit, bank, government, construction, real estate, employee benefit plan, medical/dental, manufacturing, restaurant, retail, closely held business, and other professional industries and the firm is dedicated to providing unparalleled tax, audit, and other accounting consulting services to individuals and businesses.
The BKR networking capabilities allow them to help clients pursue business and investment opportunities nationally and internationally by establishing local “on the ground” resources and contacts. They can give valuable insight into unfamiliar and sometimes tricky tax and regulatory issues.
BKR International is hardworking association of independent accounting and business advisory firms, with 300 offices in over 60 countries around the world.
Borland Benefield been a member of BKR since 1980 and that everyday relationship delivers real benefits to clients.
Borland Benefield
800 Shades Creek Parkway, Suite 875
Birmingham, AL 35209
205-802-7212
https://www.borlandbenefield.com/
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
At CRI, the CPAs and advisors won’t leave clients hanging.
They help maximize their clients’ financial performance with a team of more than 300 partner CPAs and advisors. They provide a variety of attestation & auditing, accounting, tax, business consulting, and forensic accounting services, all designed to address a client’s specific needs. Whether an organization is in the nonprofit, construction, government, healthcare, insurance, or another sector, they have the industry knowledge to assist in identifying their clients’ business challenges and opportunities.
If you’re expecting a bean counter, CRI doesn’t fit the mold. Their real-world ideas and processes help improve efficiencies and profitability. They also provide income tax compliance services to aid in the significant reduction of income tax burdens. Brian, the partner-in-charge of CRI’s Birmingham office, is a member of CRI’s executive committee, a past chairman of the board for the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA) and United Ability (Formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Central Alabama).
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC
3500 Colonnade Pkwy
Birmingham, AL 35243
205.949.8601
https://www.cricpa.com/
Philip E Gable, CPA PC – Tax and Accounting Advisory Services.
Philip E. Gable is the president of the Philip E. Gable, CPA, P.C., an accounting firm and a law firm. The accounting practice focuses on business consulting services, tax advisory and compliance, wealth protection, estate planning, and elder care issues for small businesses and high net worth individuals. Mr. Gable’s legal practice is directed toward business formation, acquisitions and operations, estate and asset protection planning, probate and estate administration, wills, trusts and Elder Law matters.
The firm helps companies navigate today’s ever-changing and complicated financial landscape. They keenly focus on ensuring that clients pay the least tax they are legally obligated to pay.
They are there to help resolve tax problems and put an end to the misery that the IRS often put their clients through.
The firm is dedicated to helping clients make more informed decisions. They put clients in control, first by listening and then by working to design unique solutions that help deliver maximum growth and wealth potential for each client. Philip E. Gable, CPA, P.C. focuses on providing clients with sound financial and wealth services. The firm is there to serve simple or complex needs.
Philip E Gable, CPA PC
1487 Montgomery Hwy, Suite A
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 823-5708
Cork Hill And Company
After 25 years in business, Cork, Hill & Company still has one goal in mind: To provide accounting, auditing and tax services to small and medium sized entities.
In today’s complex world, clients find it difficult to keep up with the many details of compliance, taxation, reporting, etc. The distractions of record keeping can keep businesses from doing what they do best which is running their companies. Cork, Hill & Company’s professional staff relieves clients from the burden of handling all the details. Clients find the firm’s services prompt, professional and affordable. Clients receive personalized, hands-on service and the firm can be reached anytime by phone, e-mail, or just dropping by the office. The firm’s approach is really quite simple: to be accurate, on time, and complete. They let clients focus on what they do best: running their companies. High standards and specialized staff enable them to provide knowledgeable advice for all financial matters.
Cork Hill And Company
2100 Southbridge Parkway Suite 530
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 879-3292
http://www.corkhillandco.com/
A few things to take into consideration:
Advantages of using a Birmingham CPA over an accountant
CPAs are held to a higher standard than an accountant. They have more extensive training and education and are more effective when it comes to handling IRS issues. Accountants often aren’t as “serious” about their business. CPAs are out there, helping build firms; they are helping small and large corporations handling everything from A-Z. They are a business owner’s one stop shop.
Tips for Vetting CPAs
Testimonials & Reviews- These are crucial in finding the right CPA. Look for a CPA who actively markets, who has good reviews, which is social proof of their work performance. Online reviews within Google and Yelp are a telling resource. Real reviews are a sure way to do your research, and even bad reviews can tell you something of value. Perhaps this CPA focuses on something you want and need but the reviewer didn’t want or need.
Referrals- Do you have an attorney? I bet your attorney knows a good Birmingham CPA. Ask other business owners, vendors, or contractors you do business with. Ask them who they use and why they like them.
Check the CPA out- Call them. Do they answer or get back to you in a timely manner? Set a time to visit face to face so you can discuss your needs, concerns, and talk about your goals for your business and finances. It is helpful, but not necessary for the Birmingham CPA to specialize in your specific industry or market, but it is critical that you have a good working relationship. Your initial in-person meeting can tell you if you will. After all, you are paying them for their services. If you don’t feel comfortable asking questions or requesting information, you should consider another Birmingham CPA.
Full time- Ideally, you want to find a full-time CPA. Working with someone who does it part-time or is gone most of the year will not serve your organization or small business well. It can pose big challenges.
Cost- Make sure to ask the Birmingham CPA how much he or she will cost you annually. Make sure the costs discussed upfront are not exceeded unless something unusual or unexpected happens. Set the expectation first, and make sure it is adhered to. Price alone doesn’t indicate the quality of work; it represents the CPA’s opinion of how they value their time and expertise.
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