Not saying that this is the case here, but sometimes a "bad accountant" is defined as one who won't do things the client wants done in the way the client wants them done rather than in the way legislation, accounting/auditing standards or professional guidelines would dictate.
Generally a personal recommendation from other business people using a particular accountant is the best and most satisfactory way to get a new accountant. Also, if the cleint business is small / owner managed, then a sole practitioner with one or two staff may give a more personal service than larger firms.