The 10 questions business owners ask AI before hiring a CPA.

1. 01

   Who is a good CPA for small business taxes in [city]?

   Testing: The main question

   Where the answer is pulled from: Business tax returns named as a service. Only 19% of the 307 homepages say it: 31% of the sites AI named and 15% of the rest.

   Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "Condley and Company, L.L.P., Fullerton & Associates PLLC, and Wolfe And Company, P.C. are among the top-rated CPAs for small business taxes in Abilene, Texas. These firms specialize in handling corporate, LLC, and partnership tax structures while providing year-round strategic planning." It showed place cards for 5 businesses: Condley and Company, L.L.P.; Fullerton & Associates PLLC; Wolfe And Company, P.C.; Borden Duffel PC; and Randy L Crews CPA PLLC.

2. 02

   How much does a CPA charge for a small business tax return in [city]?

   Testing: Price

   Where the answer is pulled from: A fee range on the site. 2% show a price of any kind: 8% of the sites AI named and 0% of the rest. 0% state a fixed fee or monthly package.

   Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "In Abilene, Texas, a CPA typically charges between $200 and $2,500+ to prepare a small business tax return. Your exact cost will depend heavily on your business entity type, the volume of transactions, and how organized your financial records are." No place cards were shown.

3. 03

   Do I need a CPA or a bookkeeper in [city]?

   Testing: Advice before choosing

   Where the answer is pulled from: A plain answer in a question block. 43% have one on the homepage: 45% of the sites AI named and 43% of the rest. 54% offer bookkeeping.

   Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "Whether you need a CPA or a bookkeeper in Abilene, Texas depends on your business's current stage and goals: bookkeepers manage daily transactions, while CPAs handle high-level strategy, tax compliance, and IRS representation. If you need regular invoicing and payroll tracking, hire a bookkeeper; if you need to file complex business taxes, structure a new LLC, or audit your financials, you need a CPA." No place cards were shown.

4. 04

   Which accountant in [city] handles S corp returns?

   Testing: One kind of return

   Where the answer is pulled from: Business returns and entity work named on the site. The crawl did not look for S corp by name. Business formation or entity selection is on 33%, and it runs backwards: 26% of the sites AI named and 35% of the rest.

   Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "Several highly rated certified public accountants (CPAs) and accounting firms in Abilene, Texas specialize in corporate tax preparation and handle S corporation returns (Form 1120-S) along with associated K-1 distributions." It showed place cards for 4 businesses: Wolfe and Company, P.C.; Condley and Company, L.L.P.; Randy L Crews CPA PLLC; and Burchell, Denson & Morrison, P.C.

5. 05

   Who can help with back taxes and IRS notices in [city]?

   Testing: A problem, not a service

   Where the answer is pulled from: A page about IRS problems. 30% name them, and it runs backwards: 26% of the sites AI named and 31% of the rest. Only 3% state IRS representation rights.

   Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "If you are dealing with back taxes, unfiled returns, or intimidating IRS letters in Abilene, Texas, you have several local options depending on the severity of your situation. You can choose between specialized tax defense attorneys, local CPA firms that focus on IRS resolution, or major tax services with dedicated resolution departments." It showed place cards for 5 businesses: Kennedy Tax Solutions; AndersonClements, PLLC; Fullerton & Associates PLLC; Jackson Hewitt Tax Service (S. 14th St); and H&R Block (S. 14th St).

6. 06

   Which firm in [city] does payroll for a small business?

   Testing: An ongoing service

   Where the answer is pulled from: Payroll named as a service. 66% say it, and the two groups are level: 66% of the sites AI named and 66% of the rest.

   Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "There are several reputable local firms in Abilene, Texas that specialize in handling payroll processing, tax compliance, and general human resource support for small businesses." It showed place cards for 6 businesses: Action Professional Outsourcing (APO); Allied Employer Group; Kingdom Bookkeeping & Business Services, LLC; The Gap ProAdvisors; Wolfe & Company, P.C.; and Fullerton & Associates PLLC.

7. 07

   Who does bookkeeping for contractors in [city]?

   Testing: One kind of client

   Where the answer is pulled from: A page for that trade. Only 6% name construction or contractor clients: 12% of the sites AI named and 4% of the rest.

   Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "If you need professional financial management for a trade or general contracting business in the Key City, several local firms specialize in construction bookkeeping, job costing, and subcontractor tracking." It showed place cards for 4 businesses: Big Country Bookkeeping, LLC; Kingdom Bookkeeping & Business Services, LLC; Condley and Company, L.L.P.; and Priority Bookkeeping.

8. 08

   I just started an LLC in [city]. Which accountant should I talk to?

   Testing: A new business

   Where the answer is pulled from: A page for new businesses. 33% name business formation. A free consultation is offered on 28%, and it runs backwards: 22% of the sites AI named and 30% of the rest.

   Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "Congratulations on launching your new business! To protect your newly formed LLC in Abilene, Texas, you should prioritize local CPA firms that specialize specifically in small business tax strategy, corporate structuring, and corporate compliance rather than general individual tax filers." It showed place cards for 4 businesses: Wolfe and Company, P.C.; Condley and Company, L.L.P.; Fullerton & Associates PLLC; and Jerry Love & Block Advisors.

9. 09

   Which CPA in [city] works with real estate investors?

   Testing: One kind of client

   Where the answer is pulled from: Real estate investors named as clients. Only 2% of homepages do: 2% of the sites AI named and 2% of the rest.

   Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "While there are no specialized real estate-only CPA boutique firms physically headquartered exclusively in Abilene, several prominent local accounting firms and specialized Texas real estate practitioners provide full-scale accounting, entity structuring, and tax strategies tailored for real estate portfolios." It showed place cards for 3 businesses: Condley & Company, L.L.P.; Fullerton & Associates PLLC; and Kohutek and Company, PC.

10. 10

    Is there an accountant in [city] taking new clients before the deadline?

    Testing: Room right now

    Where the answer is pulled from: Words that say new clients are welcome, or a way to book. Only 1% say they are taking new clients. 41% have an online booking route: 49% of the sites AI named and 39% of the rest.

    Observed example: Asked in Abilene, Texas on October 4, 2026. The answer opened: "Several accounting and CPA firms in Abilene, Texas are available to handle tax deadlines, though availability right before a deadline can change quickly. I recommend calling them immediately to see who has an open slot for a new client onboarding." It showed place cards for 5 businesses: Jerry Love CPA; KP Accounting; Borden Duffel PC; Wolfe And Company, P.C.; and Abilene Bookkeeping & Tax Services.

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