What to ask before hiring an accountant in Brazil
Questions for comparing accountants, scope, security, service, and transition without relying on vague promises or only the monthly price.
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A good accounting proposal is not one that promises to “take care of everything.” It clearly states what will be done, by whom, with which information, and how the company will monitor the work.
Use the questions below in every conversation. This lets you compare method and scope—not merely rapport or the monthly fee.
1. What exactly is included in the monthly scope?
Request a written list: tax, accounting, payroll, returns, reports, meetings, service, and activities charged separately. Ask what changes if the company opens a branch, hires people, operates in another municipality, or increases document volume.
2. Who bears technical responsibility, and how do I verify the registration?
Confirm the responsible accountant’s name and professional registration with the Regional Accounting Council (CRC) of the jurisdiction. The company should also know who handles each daily routine.
3. Which information do you need from us, and by when?
The calendar works both ways. The firm depends on the company’s documents and decisions; the company depends on the firm’s deliverables and warnings. Ask for cut-off dates, a submission channel, and the procedure for late documents.
4. How do you explain a tax calculation or discrepancy?
Ask for an anonymized example of a report or calculation. The answer should show the data source, assumptions, and recommended action without exposing another customer’s information.
5. How do you handle access, certificates, and powers of attorney?
Do not provide a personal gov.br password. Prefer powers of attorney and delegations whose authority matches the service, with identified owners and periodic review. Ask how access is granted, stored, and revoked.
6. What happens when an earlier issue appears?
Retrospective regularization should not be confused with the monthly routine. Ask how the firm diagnoses earlier periods, estimates effort, and approves an additional service. Be wary of a guarantee of recovery or savings before document analysis.
7. How will the transition from the current accountant work?
Request a plan with owners, documents, open reporting periods, and balance validation. The new firm should explain what it will review and the limits of its work on periods it did not process.
8. How does service work?
Define the channel, responsible person, response time, and handling of urgent matters. “Advisory service” is useful only when it appears in the contract and routine.
How to compare the answers
Build a table with five columns: scope, company responsibility, security, level of follow-up, and price. A smaller proposal may serve a simple operation well; a broader proposal is worth more only if the additional scope is necessary and verifiable.
Avoid deciding based on phrases such as “we will reduce your taxes,” “there will be no problem,” or “we do everything.” Accounting work reduces uncertainty and organizes decisions, but the result depends on the actual situation and the company’s cooperation.
After selection, follow the steps for changing accountants. To understand VMAHUB’s proposal, see advisory accounting or send your context; we will explain what needs analysis before presenting a scope.
Sources and references
- CFC (Brazilian Federal Accounting Council) — Rules governing the accounting profession
- CFC — Resolution No. 987/2003 and accounting-services contract template
- Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service) — Digital service and representation by power of attorney
Brazilian and international business experience in one advisory view.
VMAHUB combines accounting, tax, legal and business strategy with more than 26 years of experience, including work connected to the pharmaceutical industry, retail and agribusiness. The next step is to understand how this scenario applies to your operation.