For most accounting firms and CPAs, SEO isn’t about blog traffic: it’s about showing up when someone nearby searches for exactly what you do, and making it easy for them to call. Here’s what that takes.
What your customers search for
People looking for accounting firms and CPAs search in two ways: “near me” searches that show the Google Maps pack, and specific service searches that show regular results. Typical searches include:
- “cpa near me”
- “tax preparer near me”
- “small business accountant”
- “bookkeeping services”
- “tax accountant”
- “irs tax help”
Ranking for these means showing up in both the map pack and the organic results below it.
Pages that win
- Service pages for tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, advisory and IRS problems
- Industry pages (accounting for restaurants, contractors, real estate investors)
- A pricing or “what we charge” page
Google Business Profile
Primary category “Accountant” or “Certified public accountant”; add Tax preparation service and Bookkeeping service as relevant.
Reviews
Ask after tax season wraps up and after a successful engagement.
Watch out for
Use “CPA” only for licensed CPAs; follow your state board’s advertising rules.
Timing
Peaks January to April; publish and optimize in the fall.
A simple 90-day plan
| Month | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Audit, fix technical issues, optimize your Google Business Profile, clean up listings |
| 2 | Rewrite or build your most valuable service pages; start a monthly review routine |
| 3 | Add supporting pages (locations, FAQs, cost guides), start earning local links, review what’s working |
Which plan fits
Most accounting firms and CPAs start on Local ($1500/month): one location that needs to own its google maps market. See pricing or get a free SEO audit first.
Frequently asked questions
When should an accounting firm start SEO?
By late summer or fall, so pages are ranking before tax season.
What content works for CPAs?
Niche industry pages and clear service pages convert better than generic tax tips.
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Get a free SEO audit
We’ll review your website, Google Business Profile and top competitors, and send you a short video and a prioritized fix list within 2 business days.
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