If you’re a creator, influencer, blogger, maker, or artist, you probably didn’t start your business because you love accounting. You started it because you love creating videos, art, products, designs, or content that connects with people. But once the money starts coming in, taxes and finances can get complicated fast.

As a CPA who works closely with creative business owners, I see the same problems over and over: missed deductions, surprise tax bills, stress around 1099s, and confusion about whether you’re doing your taxes and bookkeeping the right way.

The good news is that the right CPA can take almost all of that off your plate! In today’s post, I’ll give you some tips on how you can find an accountant who actually understands your business, and I’ll explain how you can tell if you need to hire one.

Why do creators and influencers need a CPA who specializes in creative businesses?

You may think it makes sense to go with the accountant your uncle uses for his restaurant business or stick with your favorite neighbor who has done your family’s taxes for years, but it’s important to realize that creative businesses don’t work like traditional 9 to 5 businesses and that business and personal taxes are two different animals.

The CPA you pick for your creative business needs to understand your specific circumstances and be able to help you with situations that are unique to creators. For example, many creators have:

• Seasonal income spikes
• Income from multiple platforms (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Etsy, Shopify, Patreon)
• Affiliate and ad income that varies by month
• Brand deals and sponsorships
• Gifted products and experiences
• Expenses tied to content creation and not traditional office work

A CPA who specializes in creative businesses won’t be surprised by any of these variables, and they’ll already know the right questions to ask to make sure everything is calculated and reported correctly.

How can I tell if a CPA understands my creative business?

The fastest way to tell if a CPA understands your creative business is by listening to how they respond when you explain how you make money.

A CPA who understands creators will:

• Ask questions about where your income comes from and not just how much you make
• Understand 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms
• Be familiar with how platform payouts work for Stripe, PayPal, Shopify, Mega, Google, or any other platform you use
• Discuss and explain tax deductions for equipment specific to your business type
• Show interest in talking about tax planning and not just tax filing

Basically, if you feel like you’re teaching them what affiliate income is or why your income isn’t the same every month, then that’s a sign they may not be the right fit.

What should a CPA handle for a creative business owner?

A good CPA does much more than file your tax return once a year. They can handle so much more, like:

• Business tax returns (should be a given)
• Personal tax returns tied to your business (also should be a given)
• Quarterly estimated tax payments
• Reviewing or cleaning up your bookkeeping
• Helping categorize income correctly
• Pointing out deductible expenses
• Sales tax guidance
• Helping with business structure decisions (sole proprietor, LLC, or S-Corp)
• Payroll for yourself and employees
• Explaining IRS letters and notices
• Ongoing tax planning throughout the year

When you hire a CPA for your business, the goal is simple: You can stop stressing about tax compliance and focus on growing your business.

What questions should I ask a CPA before hiring them?

Before hiring a CPA, you definitely need to interview them. Prepare a list of questions that matter to your business. Some questions you should add to that list are:

• Do you work with other creators, influencers, or completely online businesses?
• How do you help your clients plan for taxes throughout the year?
• How will you help me understand how much I should be saving to pay taxes?
• What kind of services and support do you offer outside of tax season?
• How do you make sure that I don’t miss out on any deductions or credits?
• How often will I hear from you throughout the year and how will you mostly communicate with me?

As you’re listening to the CPA’s answers, think about if they’re explaining themselves using plain English and if their vibe matches yours. Keep in mind that the right CPA won’t rush their answers or try to make you feel silly for asking questions.

You’ll want to have a business relationship with your CPA that feels supportive, educational, and proactive, so listen to what they’re saying from that perspective. Does how they respond and how they describe their potential interactions with you make you feel comfortable that they’ll offer the kind of support you want?

Do I need a CPA if I’m a small or new creator?

You don’t have to be a “big business” to need a CPA. In fact, you should consider consulting with or hiring one if:

• You’re making consistent income
• You’re unsure how much to save to pay your taxes
• You’ve received a 1099 and don’t know what it means
• You’re mixing personal and business finances
• You feel nervous about tax time every year

Many creators and small business owners wait too long to get tax help and wind up paying more to fix mistakes than they would have spent to get professional tax help in the first place.

Abridged by Amy

Creative small business owners don’t just need any accountant. They need a CPA who understands how they make money, how their industry works, and what needs done to protect their business and spur their growth.

A CPA who understands your creative business can often save you more in taxes than it costs to hire them. And when you find a CPA who can relieve your tax-related stress while also empowering you with the financial know-how you need, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to ask for help.