Perform a general search of accounting firms and accountants in Pennsylvania

Public accounting firms in PA specialize in different aspects of accounting and not all of them are full-service. Some specialize in only bookkeeping and others specialize in the full range of small business accounting needs.

I recommend: The Pennsylvania Society of Certified Public Accountants offers a free search tool to help you find an accountant in your area that meets your needs. The cpafinder.com website is another good search option to locate a local service provider. The Pennsylvania Society of Public Accountants allows you to search their directory of public accounting firms in PA.

Research the Pennsylvania CPAs or general accountants that you are interested in working with

It is important to make sure that the accountants in Pennsylvania that you are considering are professional and have a good reputation. One way to find this out is by their affiliation with recognized accounting associations. Even one complaint is a red flag that you should proceed with caution if you decide to work with this accountant or firm.

I recommend: The Pennsylvania Department of State website has a search feature where you can verify the license of any Pennsylvania accountant. Etaking verifies the credentials of participating accounting firms and lists them on their website. CPA directory is another option to check licensing information on specific regional accounting firms in Philadelphia and the rest of the state.

Choose a CPA in Pennsylvania that meets the needs of your business

Your business has specific accounting needs and not all accountants in Pennsylvania offer the services you may need. Find one that will satisfy all of your criteria such as level of service, personal attention and availability.

I recommend: For tasks like setting up an accounting system to help with payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable, consider using PA accountants that specialize in bookkeeping. Elite Accounting, Payroll & Tax Services is one example, serving the cities of Acme, Greensburg, Uniontown and Pittsburgh. Another option is B. Joseph Cellini & Co. Inc., whose service areas include Lancaster and Philadelphia. For services like tax planning, or international tax treaties, more advanced public accounting firms in Pennsylvania are required. Parenti Consulting, which serves the Philadelphia area, offers tax and financial planning services. Lapensohn Accounting Professionals, LLC is an accounting firm in Philadelphia that offers tax services, including IRS representation. For a firm that specializes in small companies and startups, you may consider Sam White CPA, who services the areas of Greensburg and North Huntingdon. Finally, if you want a highly recognized firm with a global presence that serves organizations of all sizes and industries, PricewaterhouseCoopers is a solid choice and they have offices worldwide including in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.