Perform a general search of South Carolina accounting firms

Not all of South Carolina accountants are full-service. Some specialize in different aspects of accounting such as estate planning or bookkeeping and others tackle the full range of small business accounting requirements.

I recommend: The South Carolina Society of Certified Public Accountants offers a free referral service to help you find an accountant in your city that meets your needs. CPA Finder is another good search option to locate South Carolina CPAs. You may also want to check out the South Carolina Society of Accountants website search tool to find an accountant your area.

Research the credentials of the South Carolina CPA firms or professionals that you are interested in

It is important to make sure that the South Carolina-based accounting firm that you are considering is professional has a good reputation and solid credentials. One way to find this out is by the status of their professional license. Even one bad review is a red flag that you should proceed with caution if you decide to work with this accountant.

I recommend: The South Carolina Board of Accountancy has a search feature where you can verify the license of accounting professionals in the area. Etaking does the work for you by verifying the credentials of participating accounting firms ahead of time and listing them on their website. CPADirectory is another option to check licensing information on specific regional accounting firms in South Carolina.

Choose a South Carolina CPA firm that meets the needs of your business both now and in the future

Your business has certain accounting needs and not all accounting firms offer every possible service. It is important to find one that will fit the best with everything that is important to your company such as reputation and experience.

I recommend: For jobs like setting up an accounting system to help with payroll and accounts payable, consider using a business accountant in South Carolina that specializes in bookkeeping. One option is Wateree Business & Tax Service, Inc., whose service areas include Lugoff, Columbia, Sumter and Camden. For more involved services like tax planning or international tax treaties, more advanced public accounting firms in South Carolina are required. Personal Tax, Inc., which serves the Charleston and Summerville areas, offers tax and financial planning services. Adams Computerized Tax Service is an accounting firm in Seneca that offers tax services including IRS representation, and serves the areas of Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg. For a firm that specializes in small companies, you may consider West Small Business Services, LLC, located in Anderson, who services the areas of Piedmont, Clemson and Williamston. Finally, if you want a well-known firm that serves companies of all sizes, KPMG is an option that has offices worldwide including in Greenville.