How to Find a Reputable CPA Near You

How to find a reputable CPA in Georgia or accountant near you

Taxes can be stressful for everyone, whether you’re an individual trying to navigate deductions or a business balancing multiple accounts and deadlines. And in recent years, finding a good accountant or CPA near you has become more challenging than ever.

That’s because the U.S. is facing a well-documented CPA shortage. Fewer people are entering the accounting profession, while demand for experienced CPAs keeps rising; especially as tax laws, technology, and financial reporting standards grow more complex. Many firms aren’t taking new clients, are stretched thin, or might not cover all the services you need. And ideally, you want someone local you can actually sit down with to talk through your finances.

So, when tax season rolls around, it’s not just about finding any accountant, it’s about finding one who’s reputable, qualified, and truly the right fit for your needs. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you find a reputable CPA near you that fits your needs and goals.

How to find a reputable CPA near you:

1. 1. Ask trusted friends, family, and colleagues
   2. Check online reviews and ranking sites
   3. Use local google searches to find nearby CPAs
   4. Check your local CPA society or association
   5. Look into national professional associations
   6. Ask about specialization, industry experience, and fee structure
   7. Confirm credentials through IRS directory
   8. Or, reach out to CKH Group, trusted by Atlanta for 20+ years

1. Ask trusted friends, family, and colleagues

The best place to start? People you already know. A referral from someone you trust doesn’t just give you a name, it gives you insight. Ask your friends, family, or business contacts who they use and why they like working with them.

These conversations can reveal what really matters when choosing a CPA: responsiveness, clear communication, or deep expertise in certain industries or services. Even if the CPA they recommend isn’t the right fit for you, it helps you understand what “good service” looks like, and what red flags to avoid when you begin your search.

At CKH Group, we see the power of referrals all the time. Many of our long-term clients come from recommendations by people who had a great experience working with our team.

2. Check online reviews and ranking sites

Once you’ve gathered a few names and some insight, you can start with a broad search of online review platforms. Sites like Clutch, DesignRush, Inside Public Accounting (IPA), ClearlyRated, and The Business Journals make it easy to compare CPA firms based on reviews, ratings, and even service offerings.

This is a great way to cast a wide net, and these sites often allow you to filter by service type (like audits, payroll, or advisory), firm size, or industry specialization. It also helps you get a sense of a firm’s reputation from both clients and peers.

Just remember: some rankings or “top firm” lists can be paid placements. So while these sites are a great starting point, always take a few extra steps to verify credentials and consistency across other sources. A site we recommend that ranks based on data and does not charge a fee to list or allow companies to pay for higher rankings (making it more reputable), is Inside Public Accountings’ Top 500 list. This ranks all firms in the United States (of which there about 40,000+) based on revenue (of which CKH Group is #353!).

3. Use local Google searches to find nearby CPAs

Once you’ve seen who’s highly rated online, use Google Maps or local search results to narrow your list. Searching “CPA near me” or “Accountant in [your city]” will show which firms are close by, their Google ratings, and how long they’ve been in business.

This can also help you find smaller, independent CPAs who might not show up on national review sites but offer excellent, personalized service. Sometimes, the right fit isn’t a large firm; it’s the experienced accountant who treats you like family and takes the time to understand your goals.

That’s a philosophy we live by at CKH Group, too: we treat every client with the same care and diligence as if their business were our own.

4. Check your local CPA society or association

If you’re still refining your list, or perhaps have more complex needs, your state’s CPA society is a fantastic resource. For Georgia residents, that’s the Georgia Society of CPAs (GSCPA). These directories let you search for licensed CPAs by ZIP code, city, or specialty.

This step is great not only for discovering new firms in your area but also for verifying the legitimacy of the ones you’ve already found. If a CPA or firm is listed on their state society’s website, that’s a strong indicator that they’re licensed, active, and in good standing.

Several of CKH Group’s Atlanta clients found us through GSCPA’s member directory while searching for a reputable firm that could handle both personal and business finances, and they appreciated having that extra layer of confidence before reaching out.

5. Look into national professional associations

Once you’ve identified some promising candidates, professional associations can help you narrow down your list even further. These organizations maintain directories of qualified professionals who meet continuing education standards and uphold ethical codes of conduct.

Some of these include:

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP)
• National Society of Black Certified Public Accountants (NSBCPA)
• National Society of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)
• International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA)

Membership in one or more of these organizations, especially AICPA, shows that a CPA is serious about their profession and staying up to date with regulations and best practices.

6. Ask about specialization, industry experience, and fee structure

Once you’ve shortlisted a few CPAs/CPA firms, reaching out to ask more qualifying questions can help determine if they are a good fit.

Not all CPAs are equal in every domain. Even if someone is well-rated or highly credentialed, ask whether they have experience in your specific situation (e.g. real estate, nonprofits, international taxation, mergers & acquisitions, startups, etc). A CPA who’s done work in your industry will be more familiar with regulations, deductions, pitfalls, and opportunities you might not even know to ask about. While it may not be a make-or-break moment, industry specialization can help determine who to move forward with.

It is also helpful to understand the fee structure of the CPA you are working with. Some CPAs bill hourly, some use flat rates, and some use service packages. Some may offer flexibility to your needs, budget, and situation.

Transparency here prevents surprises and builds trust. However, it is important to note that accounting services are typically not something you can easily find pricing for online because each individual’s tax or accounting situation is so different. Be wary of accountants who offer fees upfront without consultation or price based on percentage of your tax refund. These can actually be warning signs of a fraudulent preparer.

7. Confirm credentials through the IRS Directory

Once you’ve narrowed your search down to one or two top contenders, take one last step to confirm their qualifications. The IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers is a reliable tool for verifying that your CPA (or accountant) holds the proper credentials and is authorized to prepare tax returns.

You can filter by name, credential type, or location. The directory lists CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and other tax professionals recognized by the IRS. While the IRS site doesn’t offer detailed background information or information on service specialties, it’s the most official way to confirm that someone is who they say they are.

In an age where unqualified or fraudulent preparers take advantage of unsuspecting taxpayers, double-checking credentials can save you from costly mistakes or even fraud later on. We recommend using this step as your final “checkmark” before hiring any accountant or firm.

8. Reach out to CKH Group, trusted by Atlanta for over 20+ years

We know, we are CKH Group, so of course we’re going to recommend ourselves! But hear us out.

CKH Group has been part of the Atlanta business community for more than two decades. We’re proud to be ranked among Inside Public Accounting’s Top 400 Firms in the Nation, with a 5-star Google rating and a long history of helping clients of all sizes meet their financial goals, from individuals to Fortune 1000 companies.

You can find us on every resource we’ve mentioned from the IRS Directory to the Georgia Society of CPAs to industry review sites like Clutch and DesignRush. That’s because we believe in transparency, accountability, and accessibility to quality accounting services.

We’re also a full-service CPA firm, meaning we don’t just handle taxes or payroll. Our large team of CPAs cover every area of accounting, including audits, advisory, valuation and quality of earnings, bookkeeping, and complex compliance requirements or international engagements. This means you don’t have to find service providers piecemeal.

And, if CKH still isn’t the right fit for your needs, we are part of the MSI Global alliance, which gives us access to CPAs across the world – and can work with you to find a solution.

Interested in connecting with a CPA near you?  Contact Us to connect with a CKH Group advisor today. You can also call us at 1-770-495-9077 or email us at [email protected].

The above article only intends to provide general financial information and is based on open-source facts, it is not designed to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. It does not give personalized tax, financial, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any form of action, you should consult a financial professional who understands your particular situation. CKH Group will not be held liable for any harm/errors/claims arising from the articles. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents, we will not be held accountable for any changes that are beyond our control.