Do you need help getting your personal finances under control? While many Americans in this situation try to DIY a solution on their own, you have good reason to consult with a professional accountant. If you think that accountants are only for businesses, you may be surprised to learn why you could use one to work with your individual finances too. Here are a few of the most important ways they could help:

1. To Make a Budget

Accountants help businesses figure out how to live within their means while still operating ongoing concerns. Why couldn't an accountant help you with this as well? If your monthly finances contain a lot of moving parts, an accountant is trained to organize them, minimize them, and get everything paid on time.

Don't stop with one month's plan -- after putting your budget into place, regular appointments will help you create a workable monthly money plan that can weather emergencies and unexpected expenses. 

2. To Plan Financially

Another way that accountants help business owners is figuring out how to plan for future business needs. This includes business growth, economic cycles, new physical locations, and expansions into new markets or territory. An accountant could you help you do the same — plan for changes in your income or family size, save for emergencies as well as future goals, and prepare for retirement. 

3. To Minimize Taxes

Do you have a significant tax bite each year? Then you need an accountant who works with taxation matters. He or she will be versed in ways to reduce your tax obligations in legal ways — for the current year and future years. They may also be able to look at past years that have already been filed to see if there is any way to amend them for better results. 

4. To Hear Objectivity

Do you have particular challenges when it comes to managing your own finances? Some money issues stem from more than just income vs. expenses. They may include mental and emotional difficulties handling money wisely or an inability to carry through what you want to do with your money.

If this is true in your case, an objective and professional third party could be the solution you're looking for. An accountant is used to broaching difficult matters and telling business owners what they need to hear. Your personal accountant can do this for you as well. 

Could your personal financial struggle benefit from any of these roles that an accountant could fill? If so, learn more about their services by consulting with a public accountant in your area today.  

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