You are picky about the doctor you see when something is wrong. You don’t want an MD who specializes in orthopedics if the problem lies in your back. Similarly, you wouldn’t look to a large animal veterinarian when your hamster starts wheezing. And you wouldn’t go to a medieval historian for information on the colonization of America or the formation of Austin. You would go to a specialist. You would find a professional who has been trained in that particular area, for that is the only way you would get the date you need. And if you’re pick about those things, why wouldn’t you be picky about the accountant you choose for your real estate home business?

Managing the accounts for a real estate business is difficult. To begin with, the business is a privately owned one. This fact brings with it its own taxes and tax reductions. If it is an in-home operation, items within the house, including the space itself can be written off. You can deduct your pad of paper, your laptop computer and the chair you spin on when you’re trying to think. You can deduct the phone you use to make calls and the miles you drive to see clients. But you also have to follow certain rules. An accountant specializing in real estate will know the rules, know about the deductions and be able to handle them in a way best suited for your company. One who isn’t won’t.

Further, you need an accountant who will understand the varying payments received. Agents get commissions for sales as well as buys, and receive different fees depending on what they are certified as, as well. An accountant who specializes in real estate will know all this; one who isn’t won’t.

Convinced yet? Good. But how should you go about finding one?

You can very simply Google “Austin Texas Real Estate Accountant” but that will produce a lengthy list of anyone who has managed to get on Google’s radar with a Web site. And how can you be certain that you have found someone reputable? Is being on page one of the search results a good sign or should you persevere and scan the selections through all eight pages? Neither. You should rely on the same thing that drives many clients to your door: reputation.

You want an accountant who not only says he knows what he is doing, but actually does know and can prove it. Therefore, to find him, talk to your contacts in real estate. See who they use to balance their ledgers, pay the bills and submit the taxes. Chances are, even if they don’t have the cream of the crop, they know who does or who is. You should be able to find the real estate accountant for you. Doing so will make you a better real estate agent, as you will have the confidence and relief of knowing that a competent employee is in the background crunching numbers while you show the Browns from outside Texas a beautiful home just inside Austin.