Are we a good fit for each other?

 

I appreciate your interest in my practice for your tax, advisory and accounting matters. As a sole-practitioner CPA with over 25 years of experience in public accounting, I thrive partnering with entrepreneurs and individuals who value proactive advice, clear communication, and compliance. Below are some qualities and characteristics I embrace in client relationships, and some benchmarks to help you navigate your search for a tax professional:

1. Business Profile

• Entity types: Individuals, partnerships, S-corporations and C-corporations, estates and trusts
• Small business owners: gross revenues greater than $100k; ideally, we would do your bookkeeping for you. If you handle the bookkeeping, do you utilize accounting software and are your books reconciled timely?
• Real estate investors: owners of investment properties who may or may not be real estate professionals. Are you mindful of the need to maintain accurate cost‐basis tracking and depreciation schedules? Are you cognizant of the nuances and complexities in applying the tax code for real estate held for investment?
• Investment funds: are you a person with notable invested assets and/or retirement accounts looking for present and future strategies to minimize tax?
• Start-ups: if you are just starting your business, do you demonstrate strong business acumen, market knowledge, and have financial management experience?

2. Mindset & Integrity

• Ethical & compliant: do you desire to minimize your tax liability and employ strategies both short and long term to achieve this? At the same time, do you feel it is important to follow the IRS code, Treasury and state regulations? Do you think you will find value in my professional experience and opinion?
• Risk-responsive: do you prefer high‐level guidance, yet appreciate the steps that may be needed or are taken to get to the right answer? Are you comfortable assessing and evaluating risk?
• Back-office: is your skill set geared toward achievement of your overall financial goals and/or your business operations, yet you appreciate the need to have a good set of books and records that support the information that is used in preparation of your tax returns?

3. Communication & Collaboration

• Responsive: do you value prompt replies and ongoing dialogue as transactions, opportunities, and challenges arise?
• Advisor mindset: do you believe you have a need and are you looking for a year-round partner? Would you like to connect quarterly or at least two times a year to review, plan, and optimize?
• Deadline-driven: do you work well with timelines, and desire that we respect each other’s calendars? Do you want to work collectively to be sure we honor agreed‐upon milestones? Are you resistant to going on extension – even if doing so results in you avoiding penalties, and allows for time to be sure your tax return(s) are complete and accurate?

4. Geography & Compliance

• Primarily Maine-based: would you like to work with someone who is intimately familiar with Maine’s tax nuances and regulations?
• Multistate: do you operate your business outside of Maine, or do you have work or residency in more than one state? Are you mindful of alternate taxing authorities and a need to budget for additional filings, fees, and compliance requirements in other jurisdictions?

5. Technology

• Tech focus: are you keenly aware of the pace at which technology is changing? Are you comfortable embracing technology in your business and personal financial matters?

6. Engagement & Pricing

I take pride in investing in relationships with my clients and in providing prompt, high-quality service. Over the past couple of years I have been perplexed by the unprecedented demand for specialized accounting and advisory services coupled with a national shortage of seasoned professionals. To ensure I can devote the necessary time and expertise to each client – and continue investing in cutting-edge accounting software, secure client portals, robust cybersecurity protocols, and ongoing professional education – I have established minimum engagement fees that are specific to tax compliance.

• Individual returns: $800
• Business returns: $2,000

I am hopeful this information will help guide you in determining the level and quality of service you desire in your tax and accounting matters.