3 Signs It’s Time To Find A New CPA For Your Business
You trust your accountant with your money, your tax risk, and your sleep. When that trust starts to crack, you feel it. Numbers stop adding up. Deadlines creep closer. Simple questions turn into long waits. At that point, you are not getting guidance. You are just hoping nothing goes wrong. That is dangerous for any business. It is even more serious if you work with a local expert such as a Tomball Certified Public Accountant and depend on clear advice. This blog walks through three clear signs that your current CPA is no longer a good fit. You will see how to spot poor communication, weak tax planning, and missing support when problems hit. You will also learn what to ask before you move on. Your goal is simple. You deserve a CPA who protects your business and helps you act with confidence.
Sign 1: You cannot get clear answers or timely responses
Communication is the first test. If your CPA will not answer you, your risk grows each day.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Your emails or calls sit for a week or more with no reply
- You receive one line answers that do not address your question
- You feel nervous before you reach out because you expect pushback
During tax season you can expect slower replies. Yet you should still see some response and a clear timeline. The IRS stresses that small businesses must keep records and stay current with filing and payments. You cannot do that if your CPA will not talk to you. You can review IRS recordkeeping guidance here: IRS recordkeeping for small business.
If you see poor communication, take three steps:
- Set clear expectations for response times
- Put key questions in writing and ask for written answers
- Decide how many missed replies you will tolerate before you move on
Silence from a CPA is not just rude. It puts you at risk for late filings, missed credits, and surprise tax bills.
Sign 2: Your CPA only reacts at tax time and never plans ahead
Your CPA should not show up once a year only to plug numbers into forms. You need planning. You need options. You need someone who warns you before trouble hits.
Red flags include:
- No review meetings during the year
- No talk about payroll changes, estimated taxes, or cash flow
- No ideas on deductions or credits that match your business
The Small Business Administration explains that taxes affect pricing, hiring, and growth choices. You can see general guidance here: SBA guide to paying business taxes. If your CPA never brings up these links between taxes and daily choices, you lose control.
Ask your CPA:
- How often will we meet during the year
- What tax planning steps do you suggest for businesses like mine
- How do you help clients manage cash for tax payments
If the answer is always “We will talk at tax time” then your CPA is not a guide. That person is a form filler. Your business needs more support than that.
Sign 3: You feel alone when problems or audits show up
The real test of a CPA comes when something goes wrong. Maybe the IRS sends a notice. Maybe cash runs short. Maybe you face a payroll mistake. In those moments you should not feel alone.
Signs of weak support include:
- Your CPA tells you to “call the IRS” without help
- You get no clear plan to fix past errors
- Your CPA blames you instead of solving the problem
A strong CPA walks with you through notices, payment plans, and corrections. You should see clear steps, simple language, and real follow through. If you only hear excuses, that is a sign to leave.
Quick comparison: healthy vs unhealthy CPA relationship
| Topic | Healthy CPA relationship | Unhealthy CPA relationship
|
|---|---|---|
| Response time | Replies within 1 to 2 business days with clear answers | Takes a week or more to respond or ignores messages |
| Meetings | Plans at least one midyear review and a year end check in | Only contacts you at tax time or when payment is due |
| Tax planning | Suggests credits, timing moves, and record tips | Only enters numbers into returns with no guidance |
| Problem support | Helps respond to notices and outlines steps to fix issues | Tells you to handle notices on your own |
| Trust level | You feel calm and informed | You feel tense, confused, or in the dark |
How to prepare before you change CPAs
Once you see these signs, you may feel angry or scared. That reaction is human. You still need a calm plan. Before you move to someone new, collect and protect your records.
Take these steps:
- Download or request copies of all tax returns for at least the past three years
- Save your bookkeeping files and bank statements
- List open issues such as unpaid taxes or missing filings
Next, speak to at least three possible CPAs. Ask each person the same set of questions about response times, planning, and support. This helps you compare with a clear head.
Questions to ask a new CPA
When you meet a possible new CPA, ask:
- How do you prefer to communicate and how fast do you respond
- How often do you meet with business clients during the year
- How do you support clients who receive IRS or state notices
- What is your experience with businesses like mine
- How do you charge for planning work and for notice responses
Listen for clear, simple answers. You should feel heard. You should hear a plan that fits your size and stage. If you feel rushed or brushed off, keep looking.
Final thoughts
You do not need to stay stuck with a CPA who leaves you anxious. If you see poor communication, weak planning, or no help in a crisis, it is time to move on. Your business needs a steady partner who respects your time, explains your options, and stands beside you when things go wrong.
When you choose with care, you protect your money and your peace of mind. You also give your business a stronger base for every choice you make next year.