Client Benefits to Working with a Smaller CPA Firm

8/25/2022 - By Maria Thompkins

When considering a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm for all your financial needs, whether that be audit and assurance, tax, financial advisory, business consulting, information technology, or a combination of services, there are several benefits to consider if you are teetering between a larger firm like a “Big Four” or a small but mighty firm like Saltmarsh.

First, there are national and state continuing education requirements for all CPAs to keep their licenses. At Saltmarsh, all of our accounting professionals are held to this requirement, whether they have obtained their CPA license or not. This means you will receive the same knowledge-based quality for your accounting needs, but with a lower price tag.

The second is one word: consistency!

Per the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, it is mandatory for auditors of public entities to rotate off an engagement after five years. Larger firms typically maintain this practice throughout both their public and nonpublic audits to maintain consistency firm-wide. While the audit rotation appears to aid in independence, it exposes a higher risk to quality as the new auditor must acclimate themselves to the organization. Since Saltmarsh has chosen not to audit public companies and therefore is not held to this five-year rotation standard, you are able to receive the personal touch from the same partner year after year. Our clients are not just a number! We strive to build long-lasting relationships as trusted advisors as we achieve success by contributing to the success of others.

Third, Saltmarsh is an independent member of BDO Alliance USA, a nationwide association of independently owned local and regional accounting, consulting and service firms with similar client service goals. Our affiliation with BDO Alliance USA allows us to serve our clients with greater flexibility, up-to-date technical information, and cost-effectiveness by providing access to national resources and BDO training to better serve our clients.

Questions?

Check out the services we offer to see how we can help you achieve your financial goals. Interested in hiring us as your trusted advisors? Contact us here!

About the Author | Maria Thompkins

Maria is a staff auditor in the Audit & Assurance Services practice of Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund. Her primary areas of expertise include providing audit, single audit and assurance services for the firm’s non-profit, government, and 401(k) clients. Prior to joining Saltmarsh, Maria worked in accounts payable in the accounting department of a local university and a mortgage firm in Atlanta.