In an informal survey of companies with sales between $4 million and $20 million, Inc. found that CPAs provide a wide -- and sometimes unexpected -- range of services to entrepreneurs. One surprise: of the group we contacted, more than 85% of the CEOs preferred working with smaller regional accounting firms, rather than the Big Six, because of lower costs and what they perceived as better personal attention.
Company
How often does CEO consult CPA?
What's CEO looking for in a CPA?
How often has company switched CPAs?
Coastal Production Service Operates oil & gas platforms
Once a month
Audit proficiency, so CEO chose a firm that employs a former IRS auditor
Twice
UniLink Software Software developer
Weekly
Computer literacy, since CEO specially tailors his cash-flow and other financial statements
Never
Pro-Tech Industries Manufacturer of truck parts
Quarterly
Ability to analyze numbers quickly, especially during expansion activities
Never
Vance International Protective services
Quarterly
Red-flag warnings on issues like insurance costs or financial ratios
Twice
Roadshow Services, Theatrical-transportation management
Once every two months
"Reality checks" to keep fast-growing company'sprofit and other margins in line
Twice
-- Researched by Susan Greco and Christopher Caggiano
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