Your business will go through many phases and a good accountant can help you steer through these phases. So what should you look for?
Someone you can relate to:
If you don’t feel a connection to your accountant, then they aren’t for you
You need to be able to speak to them confidently & openly, so if you don’t have this relationship straight away then it is likely not to happen.
Business advisory:
If you are expecting that they will help take you to the next level, ask for a resume.
If they have never been involved in a company that has done this (either their own OR at a board style level) then they may night bring the value you need.
Someone you understand:
Tax & Accounting is already complicated enough, the last thing you need is someone that makes it more complicated.
If you find someone that can put your accounting requirements into words you understand, then you are onto a winner.