Choosing a firm
Accounting firms in Kelowna: how to compare them
We would rather you choose well than choose us. Finding the right accountant is a choice not to be taken lightly, so here is what actually distinguishes one Kelowna firm from another.
1. Check the licence, not just the letters
Only a licensed public practice firm can issue compilation, review or audit reports in British Columbia. A CPA designation alone does not carry that licence.
M. Saini CPA Inc. is a Licensed Public Practice Firm of British Columbia. If a firm cannot answer this question plainly, that tells you something.
2. Ask which engagement they are quoting
Compilation, review and audit are three different levels of assurance at three very different prices. A quote is meaningless until you know which one it covers.
Ask your lender or board what they require before you collect quotes, otherwise you will be comparing numbers that are not comparable.
3. Understand how you will be billed
Depending on the nature and timing of the engagement we offer an hourly rate, a flat rate or a fixed annual fee. Our accountants and bookkeepers keep detailed time logs, and those logs can be disclosed to you when the engagement closes.
The point of that transparency is simple: we only work for as long as the engagement requires, so you are never billed for unproductive time.
4. Look at the software and the response time
Cloud accounting is no longer optional. If your accountant cannot see your books in real time, every question becomes a file transfer.
And ask about turnaround. Ours is within 48 hours during office hours, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM Pacific.
Questions worth asking any firm
- Are you a licensed public practice firm in BC?
- Which engagement level does this quote cover?
- Who specifically will do the work?
- Hourly, flat, or fixed annual fee — and what triggers extra billing?
- Which accounting software do you support?
- What is your typical response time?
Frequently asked
- How many accounting firms are there in Kelowna?
- Dozens, ranging from national firm branch offices to sole practitioners. The relevant question is not how many, but which ones hold a BC public practice licence and regularly serve businesses your size.
- Is a bigger firm safer?
- Not necessarily. Larger practices carry more overhead and often assign smaller clients to junior staff. What matters is the licence, the experience of the person actually doing your work, and whether the fee arrangement is transparent.
- Licensed Public Practice Firm of British Columbia (BC)
- Certified Xero Advisor and Partner
- Elite ProAdvisor Intuit QuickBooks (QBO)
- 2022 to 2025 Top 3 Accounting Firms in Kelowna, BC
- 2024 Best of the Best Central Okanagan, BC
Let’s chat.
We know that finding the right accountant is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer free consultations to discuss your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.