If you’re running a small business in Fort Worth, you’re probably used to wearing all the hats. You’re the one making sales calls, handling customers, managing crews, and somehow finding time to send invoices and pay bills. As your business grows, those numbers on the screen start to matter more, and you might be asking yourself when the right time is to hire a CPA in Fort Worth for your business.
It’s a good question, and it’s one every business owner faces at some point. We’ll help you answer that in this post. Let’s walk through what a CPA really does,and how to know when you’re ready to hire one for your Fort Worth business.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) acts as your financial guide, someone who helps you make sense of the numbers so you can make smarter decisions. They’ll set up your bookkeeping properly and make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax. A good CPA can also take on the role of a fractional CFO who can help you plan ahead for business growth.
For example, if you’re a Fort Worth HVAC contractor, a CPA can help you figure out whether buying a new work truck this year makes sense for your cash flow and taxes. They can also ensure that you take advantage of relevant tax deductions, so you keep more of your money in your pocket.
If you’re a real estate agent juggling multiple income streams, they can help you structure your business so your commissions are taxed efficiently.
If you identify with any of the scenarios below, then that’s a sign that you’re ready to hire a CPA in Fort Worth for your business.
If you find yourself spending more time sorting receipts than serving clients, that’s a clear sign it’s time to call in help. It makes sense to manage things yourself early on with QuickBooks or Xero, but as your transactions multiply, bookkeeping can quickly become a full-time job.
You should think about how much your time is worth. If your Friday nights are spent reconciling bank statements instead of relaxing with family, that’s not sustainable for your business in the long run. A CPA takes that weight off your shoulders so you can focus on what you do best – running your business.
When your business first starts, your finances and cash flow are relatively straightforward. But as your business grows, things can get complicated fast. Maybe you’ve hired employees or subcontractors, added new service lines, or opened a second location. You find yourself dealing with payroll, quarterly taxes, depreciation, and inventory.
For a Fort Worth plumber, that might look like managing several crews, multiple trucks, and dozens of service calls a week. For a real estate professional, maybe you’re handling rental income alongside commissions. That’s when you need a CPA to step in, clean up your books, and keep everything organized.
If tax time gives you anxiety every year, it’s probably because you’re doing too much on your own. You find yourself having to figure out deductions, separate business from personal expenses, and try to file before the deadline, it’s easy to miss something important.
A CPA can help you plan ahead instead of scrambling at the last minute. They’ll make sure your estimated taxes are paid on time and your deductions are maximized. For business owners in Texas, they’ll also help you navigate the state’s franchise tax rules, which apply once you cross certain revenue thresholds.
That way, you won’t get unwelcome tax surprises in April.
Anytime you’re preparing to scale up your business, you’ll want clean, accurate financials, especially when you need additional financing. If you’re applying for a loan to buy new equipment, then banks and lenders will ask for profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports. A CPA makes sure those numbers are correct and gives lenders the confidence to offer you a loan.
Let’s say your business is doing well and you want to open your own firm. A CPA can help you make an informed decision on whether to set up as an S corporation or LLC and understand the tax implications of either option. These are big decisions, and having expert guidance can save you money and headaches later.
If you already have a bookkeeper, you may be wondering how that’s different from having a CPA. Bookkeeping captures what happened in terms of your finances and presents you with a month-end report. A CPA helps you understand why and what to do next. They’ll help you read your profit and loss statement, spot which jobs or clients are most profitable, and identify where your cash might be leaking.
For example, a plumbing business might discover that installation jobs aren’t as profitable as repair calls once labor and materials are factored in. Getting insights from your financial statements and turning them into action is a value-add that CPAs bring.
The right CPA strategically helps you build financial systems that last. They’ll make sure your bookkeeping is accurate, your payroll runs smoothly, and your taxes are filed correctly. They can also help with long-term planning, like setting up retirement contributions, preparing for expansion, or planning for a business sale down the road.
If you’re serious about growth, a CPA who understands your business, goals, and challenges should be part of your team. They’ll help you plan for what’s next rather than reacting to what already happened.
When you’re ready to hire, it’s important to look for a CPA who understands your industry and your city. You’ll want someone who works with local businesses in Fort Worth, knows Texas tax laws, and can translate financial jargon into plain English.
Good communication is key here; you’ll want someone who communicates clearly and checks in regularly to keep your finances on track. After all, a good CPA should make your life easier, not more complicated.
At Adam Traywick Accounting, we work with Fort Worth business owners, just like you. We’ve found that small business owners just really want reliable, straightforward financial support to make their lives easier. We handle the accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, and tax planning so you can focus on running your business with confidence.
If you’re ready to take that next step, we’re here to help. Let’s make your numbers work for you.
Until next time!
