Bookkeeper, or accountant or CPA...what do I need?

[Joe Koppel]

Hi I sold my house and have a sizable bit of cash and want to start buying residential rental property in Texas. I live in San Diego, CA. I am just small time and will just buy one at a time.

My question is how do I keep my finances squared away? I don't want to go to a big accounting firm and pay big bucks (I'm cheap) but what do I really need? I'm thinking I just need someone to keep me on track, tell me what software to use and do my taxes every year.

Maybe I just need a person working out of a hole in the wall business or even out of their house so what should I be looking for? An accountant or just a bookkeeper or what???

Thanks, Joe