Payroll, bookkeeping, etc can mostly be done remotely.Here is a great list of questions to ask a potential accountant:http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/70447-questions-to-ask-a-cpaAlso check out the www.NAEA.org page in your search.

Things certainly could change, but for now I hope to acquire, improve, and hold one or two properties per year until I have 8 - 10+ good rentals working for us.I have settled on Online vs Desktop / Pro because I want the ability to upload receipts wherever I happen to be with the mobile app, and since my wife and I will be sharing the bookkeeping responsibilities.  

Payroll, bookkeeping, etc can mostly be done remotely.Here is a great list of questions to ask a potential accountant:http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/70447-questions-to-ask-a-cpaAlso check out the www.NAEA.org page in your search.

I hired an accountant that handles most of my bookkeeping.

If he is the investor should he also be the accountant/book keeper/ account payable? 

I use the bookkeeping software Stessa.

stessa is free and BP sponsored, i use bench for my bookkeepers

There's plenty of responsibilities that need divvied up- leasing and managing the tenants and maintenance issues that come up, bookkeeping/accounting/paying the bills, etc. 

Looking for suggestions and recommendations for real estate-specific CPAs in Massachusetts.More specifically, I'm interested in an accountant to assist with tax preparation, tax planning, and possibly business consulting - not bookkeeping.  

It was not a good relationship as they withheld money from me monthly that they couldn't explain, but used bad bookkeeping to justify.