Choosing an accountant

[Myron Manley]

I've been looking into getting accounting help when we make our first investment property purchase. I know that I need to choose an accountant soon, but it's been a little bit daunting because the few I've looked at so far talk about committing to spend multiple thousands of dollars for their services. I'm sure this is probably worth it, but makes it a little harder to decide when to pull the trigger. Is it necessary to have my accountant in place before I make that purchase? 

[Simon W.]

Hi @Myron Manley it really depends, but I am a bit concern about the multiple thousand dollars committment.

Are you looking for tax strategies? Making sure your books are recorded correctly the first time?

[Simon W.]

Hi @Myron Manley it really depends, but I am a bit concern about the multiple thousand dollars committment.

Are you looking for tax strategies? Making sure your books are recorded correctly the first time?

[Janet Behm]

Myron, You will absolutely benefit from an expert in real estate. Experts command high fees.
The size of your business and your budget, right now, you may get the most bang for your buck by getting a bookkeeper who can let you know where you are with each deal, each month. This also lets you concentrate on YOUR area of expertise, real estate and delegate the bookkeeping.

[Eliott Elias]

Not necessary, but would help 

[Myron Manley]

Quote from @Simon W.:

Hi @Myron Manley it really depends, but I am a bit concern about the multiple thousand dollars committment.

Are you looking for tax strategies? Making sure your books are recorded correctly the first time?

Thanks for the comment. 

Yes, your comment states it best. I am looking for tax strategies and making sure that I've taken the steps to record thing correctly. I'm going to do research online and start with the book - The Book on Tax Strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor by Amanda Han & Matt MacFarland. Do you recommend any other sources/books to start with?

I guess I'm worried about the things that I don't know, that I don't know.

[Melanie Thomas]

If you have little to no experience with it, hire it out. You will sleep easier at night knowing its sewn up tight by a professional. Happy investing!

[Simon W.]

@Myron Manley I think reading and doing research might cause more uncertainty than being helpful. You will get mixed information.

Are you close to getting a property? Is it under contract?

Did you just acquire some properties? 

[Myron Manley]

Quote from @Simon W.:

@Myron Manley I think reading and doing research might cause more uncertainty than being helpful. You will get mixed information.

Are you close to getting a property? Is it under contract?

Did you just acquire some properties? 

That is a very valid point about getting more confused by doing more research. It's not always the case, but I certainly suffer from analysis paralysis sometimes.

I am working with a small group of investors and we are completing the BiggerPockets STR Bootcamp. We have money put together for a downpayment and now we're going through the property evaluation process. So, I hope that we're close to getting a property, we don't have anything under contract or any previously acquired properties.