For most people, tax season means nothing but headaches and endless monotony. Chasing after that income tax refund but getting lost in endless paperwork is a nightmare that we can all relate to. This year, if you are looking to file your taxes efficiently and correctly, hiring a Certified Public Accountant will be the way to go. Trying to find a tax accountant in NYC doesn’t have to be a struggle, as long as you know where to look.

When searching for a professional to handle your finances, it is important to distinguish between a regular accountant and a CPA. Many people aren’t aware that literally anyone can call themselves an accountant, as long as they are familiar with Quickbooks and have spent a bit of time looking at forms. While these professionals may be good with numbers, they do not necessarily have the experience in the field to be able to get the most out of your tax refund. It is easy to forget to check for your accountants certification, and even if you are choosing to work with income tax companies or income tax efiling you can’t be sure that you that you are working with someone who is certified without checking first.

A CPA is distinguished by the higher standards they are held to, in terms of education, ethics and experience. They are required to hold a degree from an accredited university, pass a CPA exam, an ethics exam and log one year of full-time work under a qualified professional. By building on this experience, they are able to bring a level of professionalism that cannot be found anywhere else. So, if you are hoping to get the most out of your tax refund, do not consider working with anyone other than a certified professional.