Finding the Right CPA Regardless of Format

When expertise matters more than meeting format, expanding your search beyond location constraints opens access to specialized CPAs who may be uniquely qualified for your situation.

Most firms offer both. The shift to remote work means nearly every CPA firm now supports video consultations alongside in-person meetings. Many firms default to virtual for initial consultations even with local clients. Choosing "no preference" simply means we won't filter out anyone based on location.

Expertise matters more than format. If your situation involves multi-state income, stock options, rental properties, or estate planning, the CPA who has handled hundreds of similar cases will serve you better than the closest one with general experience. Document exchange is digital regardless -- the IRS requires tax preparers to e-file, and secure client portals are standard practice across the profession.

You can decide later. After an initial virtual consultation, you can always switch to in-person if you want that relationship, or stay virtual if it works well.

The pitfall: Without a location filter, you may see more results to sort through. If local relationships and referral networks matter to you, consider narrowing to "local" instead.