Questions to ask about money

How does billing work month to month, and who do I call about a charge I do not recognize?

You want a name and a direct number rather than a general line. Ask whether invoices itemize care charges and extras separately, because a single lump sum makes it impossible to see the month a level of care quietly changed.

From: Financial Questions to Ask a Nursing Home

Am I paying enough through withholding or estimated payments, or am I heading for a penalty?

Underpayment penalties are usually avoidable and mostly hit people whose income changed mid-year. Ask for the number you should be paying and the dates, in writing, rather than a reassurance.

From: Questions to Ask Your CPA

What are your credentials, and what do they let you do on my behalf?

In the United States the credentials that carry representation rights before the tax authority are certified public accountant, enrolled agent and tax attorney; other preparers can prepare a return with narrower standing. Rules and titles differ by country, so ask what theirs specifically allows rather than assuming.

From: Questions to Ask a Tax Consultant

What credentials do you hold, and do you belong to the IBBA, M&A Source or a state broker association?

Designations like CBI or M&AMI require coursework, closed transactions and an ethics code, and many states also require a real estate license to sell a business with a lease. Their answer tells you who can hold them accountable.

From: Questions to Ask a Business Broker Before Hiring One

What do you charge for a phone call or a quick question during the year?

This single answer determines whether you will call before making a decision or after. Some firms include reasonable contact in the annual fee, and others bill in six-minute increments.

From: Questions to Ask a New Accountant

Which of these fees are set by the state and which are set by the dealership?

Title and registration are fixed and not negotiable. Documentation and dealer preparation fees are the dealership's own invention, and whether they can move depends on where you live. Nobody volunteers which is which.

From: Questions to Ask a Finance Manager