FORT WORTH, Texas — April 15 may seem like a long way off, but for those who don’t actually enjoy waiting until the last minute to file their 2007 tax return, it’ll be here before you know it. And if you dread the prospect of tackling a 1040 on your own, you might want to consider enlisting the assistance of a certified public accountant.

Finding the right CPA is not all that different from seeking the best doctor, dentist or lawyer. Basically, it requires an interview. Here are some key questions that will help you find the accountant who will best help you survive this taxing tax season.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND SOMEONE? One of the first and essential questions to ask is: Who is the trusted accountant of your friends or coworkers or those in a similar business situation? Run that accountant’s name through the local Better Business Bureau or the department or board in your state that licenses and oversees public accountants.

WHAT’S YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL? How long has the prospective accountant been in his or her tax practice? And has the accountant developed more of an expertise in individual or business returns?

HOW BIG IS YOUR FIRM? If you’re not going with a huge, national operation such as H&R Block, you will want to know the size of the private firm the potential accountant runs. If the accountant runs his or her own shop, is there a back-up preparer to deal with the potential backlog of returns rushing coming in at one time?

MAY I SEE YOUR LICENSE AND REGISTRATION, PLEASE? Don’t be reluctant to ask the prospective CPA (or “paid preparer”) to verify his or her formal license or registration as a professional tax preparer. Then confirm with the state licensing or registration board.

HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE? What is the accountant’s fee and what is it based on?

WILL YOU STAND BY ME IF I’M AUDITED? Ask how many of the accountant’s clients have been audited. And in case of an audit, will the accountant fully represent you in those nervous dealings with the IRS?

DO YOU WORK WITH SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS? Does the accountant have solid experience filing for small businesses, or handling returns tailored to a specific profession?

DO YOU WORK WITH COMPLICATED FAMILY ISSUES? Ask whether the accountant has had particular experience with certain knotty personal situations affecting one’s return.

ARE YOU UP TO SPEED ON TAX-LAW CHANGES? Is the accountant up to date on the latest wrinkles in the tax code — especially those covering deductions?

IF I’M IN TROUBLE WITH THE IRS, CAN YOU HELP? The ultimate question here is: Can you get me out of trouble or minimize the damage?