You Hired an Accountant — Now What?

Let’s clear something up: no one builds wealth alone.

The people you look up to? The ones with multiple properties, stacked investment accounts, the freedom to work (or not work)? They have help. They have teams. And they don’t try to figure out everything themselves. 

If you're ready to take your finances to the next level, building a financial team isn’t a luxury — it's a necessity.

An accountant is often the first hire on that team. And they play a critical role: making sure you're compliant with tax laws, maximizing deductions, and helping you understand the impact of your financial decisions.

But hiring one doesn’t mean you get to go on autopilot. This is a partnership. And when you show up ready to collaborate — not just delegate — that's when the real transformation starts.

Here are 5 ways to get the most out of working with an accountant:

1. Know What an Accountant Actually Does (and Doesn’t Do)

Let’s start with expectations.

A good accountant will:

• Prepare and file your taxes

• Help you understand your tax bracket, deductions, and credits

• Guide you through big financial decisions that impact taxes (like buying a home or starting a side hustle)
• Keep you compliant and up to date with changing tax law.

But they won’t:

• Build you a monthly budget

• Hold you accountable to financial goals

• Help you understand your emotional patterns around spending or saving

• Help you pay off debt
• Track every dollar for you
  

That’s the role of a budget coach (hi, that’s me 😉). Everyone on your financial team has a different job — and when you use the right support at the right time, that’s when your money starts to feel less like a mess and more like a plan.

2. Don’t Just Call Them in a Panic

Most people only reach out to their accountant when something’s on fire — they owe more taxes than expected, they made extra income and don’t know what to do with it, or they got a scary letter from the IRS.

Don’t be that person.

You want to be in touch before it feels urgent.

Try this:

• Setting up check-ins at least twice a year (especially in the fall before the tax year closes)
• Letting them know about big life changes: new job, side hustle, baby, marriage, divorce, moving, inheritance — it all matters, and they will be able to let you know if there are tax implications. 
• Ask what you should be doing now to make tax season easier later
  

Being proactive keeps you in control. It also helps your accountant do what they do best: guide you based on facts, not last-minute panic.

3. Get Your Financial Life Organized

If you want your accountant to give you clear, accurate advice — you’ve got to give them clear, accurate information. That starts with organization.

Here's how to do it (without making it a full-time job):

→ Digitize your documents.
Create a folder on your computer labeled "Taxes YEAR" (ie, “Taxes, 2025”)and save every document you’ll need:

• W-2s, 1099s, income records
• Mortgage or property tax statements
• Charitable contributions
• Business expenses (if you have a side hustle or freelance work)
• Childcare expenses or education costs
• Any other tax forms from healthcare costs, investment accounts, etc

→ Or go old-school:
Use a physical folder or accordion binder labeled by category. As documents comes in, file it right away.

→ Track your money.
Even the best accountant can’t work magic if you don’t know where your money is going.

Start with a simple monthly budget:

• Write down what’s coming in (your take-home income)
• Track what’s going out (fixed expenses, variable spending)
• Check in weekly or bi-weekly. Set a recurring reminder in your calendar.
  

If budgeting feels overwhelming, start by tracking — not changing. Awareness is step one. You can download our budget templates here (they have video demonstrations, they’re pretty dope).

4. Ask for Strategy, Not Just Paperwork

If your only interaction with your accountant is signing your return — you’re not getting the full value of their expertise.

Here’s what you can ask them:

• “Am I saving enough for taxes based on my income?”
• “Is my W-4 filled out correctly?”
• “Are there any tax credits I’m missing?”
• “How should I handle freelance income or side jobs?”
• “Can you help me estimate what I’ll owe next year so I’m not surprised?”
• “Based off my goals of homeowner (for example), is it okay to deduct this much?”
• “What are the repercussions for deducting my home office as a homeowner” - or just “are there any repercussions for these deductions?”
  

It’s OK to not know the right questions. Your job isn’t to be the expert — it’s to use the expert. In a true partnership, your accountant will be happy to answer any questions you have. If they aren’t? Maybe time to look for a new accountant. Remember: this is a relationship, and it should feel aligned on both sides. 

This is how you become an active participant in your financial life — not just someone who reacts when the numbers come in. 

5. Ask for Referrals to Round Out Your Financial Team

One of the most underrated perks of having an accountant? Their network.

They’ve seen it all. They’ve worked with other clients like you. They probably know:

• A great estate planner
• A fee-only financial advisor
• An insurance agent who won’t oversell you
• A bookkeeper if you need monthly support
• A money coach who can help you with the day-to-day decisions (again, hi 👋)
  

Your accountant is often the gateway to your bigger financial support system. Ask who they trust. Let them help you build your dream team — so you're not just getting by, you're building real wealth with real support.

Your Financial Team Is Your Foundation

The most financially secure people you know? They’re not smarter than you. They just stopped trying to do everything alone.

You don’t need to figure out tax law on your lunch break. You don’t need to keep budgeting in your head. And you don’t need to pretend you're not stressed when you open your bank app.

You need a team. One that helps you manage, grow, and understand your money.

Your accountant is a key part of that — but they’re not the whole picture. Use them wisely. Lean on their knowledge. And don’t be afraid to ask for help filling in the rest of the support you need.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about partnership. And building the kind of financial life that doesn’t just look good on paper — but feels good every day you live it.