Operating a thriving business on your own can be difficult, time-consuming and confusing. The majority of business owners are only specialists in their selected fields, meaning they may not be experts in accounting, law, human resources or other areas necessary for a business to grow. Bringing on additional staff can help you accurately manage tasks, remain compliant with state and federal standards, and empower you as the owner to redirect your time and energy to your true passion: serving your customers.

While hiring additional vendors may prove beneficial down the line, knowing who to bring on based on qualifications and character can be challenging. Let’s take a look at key factors to keep in mind when hiring a certified public accountant (CPA), attorney, as well as payroll, human resources and processing services.

Go Online

Hiring the right vendor can save you time and hassle, but hiring the wrong vendor can be a headache. Avoid this mistake by evaluating all potential hires online as a starting point. Establish their credentials, licenses and certifications, review any testimonials for their business, identify recent work they have completed and their client base, and investigate how their users interpret their efforts via online reviews. This will give you a feasible baseline for determining if this is a vendor you would like to be in business with or not.

Ask a Trusted Professional

Connect with a colleague in your field and ask them which vendors they trust to keep their business running. This is an excellent way to weed out any subpar vendors and be confident in your selection. If you have selected a standout individual or service from your web searches, run their information by the trusted professional to get their take. You may be surprised at their reaction.

Opt for a Demo or Trial

It’s always a good idea to test before you buy. In the case of a service, ask the provider for a test period to evaluate the procedure, workflow and efficiency of the service. If the service does not meet your standards, consider a different service. This will help ensure you are making the best decision for your business today and in the future.

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable with the person or service you will be bringing to your team. It is important to have a firm understanding of how they will perform in their position and ways it will benefit your operation. These questions can include:

  • What do your experience and timeline look like?
  • Are you available year-round?
  • Take me through a typical day in your position/with your service.
  • Who will I be working directly with?
  • Do you feel you can accurately represent me and this company?
  • What can I expect?
  • How much do you charge?

Your business is important – visit our website to see how we can help you every step of the way.