General Operations
Q: What are your fees for the services you provide?
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A: While we strongly believe in transparent pricing, no two engagements are the same. Tax returns are complex and vary from client to client. Accounting and payroll service needs are different for every business. As a result, fees can be drastically different between engagements that may appear the same on the surface. What we can say is that we’ll work with you to tailor a price that we both agree is appropriate for your specific needs. If this is a question on your mind, we encourage you to reach out to us, and we’ll make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for and how much it will cost. We're happy to continue this discussion about your specific needs.
Q: How are prices determined?
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A: We consider the time and labor required; the novelty, complexity, and difficulty of the work involved; and the skill, expertise, and efficiency of effort required to perform the work. We must also recognize that accepting the engagement may preclude us from accepting other engagements.
Next, we consider the significance of the engagement, and the responsibility involved on our part, along with the fees customarily charged for similar and comparable services in our locality.
Finally, the experience, reputation, and ability of our firm is factored into the equation.
Q: Do you offer any discounts?
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A: Yes. You can find out more about our discount programs here.
CPAs
Q: Why should I use a CPA?
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A: Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are required to meet specific education requirements and pass a rigorous exam to receive their state license. To maintain this license, they must complete 80 hours of continuing professional education every two years. Additionally, CPAs must adhere to ethical and accountability standards set by multiple oversight entities. Failure to comply with these standards can result in the loss of their license.
CPAs are also among the few professionals authorized to provide IRS representation. If you face an audit or any issues with the IRS, a CPA can represent you and handle all communications, offering professional support and peace of mind.
As with all professionals, CPAs are human and can make mistakes. This explanation does not claim that CPAs always provide better services than other bookkeepers, payroll service providers, or tax preparers. The quality of work depends on the individual performing it. However, CPAs are highly regulated and held to high standards, with potential consequences including the loss of their license, which may not apply to other individuals offering similar services.
Q: How is a CPA different from an unlicensed preparer?
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A: Key areas of difference:
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Practice rights — CPAs have unlimited practice rights before the IRS.
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Oversight — Neither a state board nor the IRS regulate other preparers (except enrolled agents and attorneys). CPAs are regulated by a state board.
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Ethical rules — CPAs who belong to the AICPA are also bound by its Code of Conduct and Statements on Standards for Tax Services (in addition to other rules).​
Tax Preparation Services
Q: Can the preparation fees come out of my refund?
A: Yes. We partner with a third-party refund transfer service. Selecting to have our fees come out of your tax return does not change the price of our tax preparation fees; however, the refund transfer service provider charges a small fee for their service. If you're interested in learning more about having our fees deducted from your refund, feel free to reach out to us. We'll be happy to discuss your options.
Q: What's the process for tax preparation?
A: At our firm, we believe it's essential that you feel informed and confident throughout the tax return process. Rest assured that your return is never idle—it is consistently progressing through each stage of our workflow.
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Below, we’ve outlined the typical steps your tax return follows in our office to help you better understand the process.
CONNECTING
If you’re a new client, we’ll need to add you to our client management software. We’ll email you some forms to fill out online, or if you’d prefer, feel free to come by the office to fill the forms out in person. Once we’ve added you to our system, you’ll get an email notification about accessing your client portal with Canopy, our client management software provider.
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If you're a returning client, you've already connected with us and your annual tax work is already on our radar.
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PROVIDING DOCUMENTS
Tax and other documents can be uploaded to your client portal. If you’d prefer, you’re always welcome to drop off your information at the office instead of uploading it. If you’re a new client that would like to stop by the office, you can drop off your tax information and be added to our system all in one short visit.
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TAX PREPARATION
We’ll take the information you provide and use it to prepare your tax return. Along the way, we may reach out with questions and discuss some of the information on your tax return with you. The time it takes to complete preparation will vary depending on the complexity of the tax return, along with the volume of questions we have for you and any additional information we may need.
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Once we’re finished, we’ll upload the completed tax returns to your client portal. If you’ve provided your information to us electronically, we’ll send an esignature request to you. If you’ve dropped off your information, you’ll receive a phone call from us about picking up your tax information and signing your tax return.
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FINALIZING THE TAX RETURN
Prior to signing the tax paperwork, we recommend reviewing your tax return. The federal government will consider you to have ultimate responsibility for what is reported on your tax return, regardless of who you’ve hired to prepare your tax return. At this time, you are welcome to request an appointment with one of our staff members to go over your tax return, or to answer any questions you may have. It is important to us that you understand what is on your tax return.
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Once the paperwork has been signed, we will electronically file your tax return. Upon acceptance of your tax return from the IRS, we will upload the acknowledgement paperwork to your client portal.
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NEXT?
Although your taxes may be finished for one year, it’s always a good idea to start planning for the next. We invite you to reach out to us anytime during the year for tax planning services. We can assist you with such endeavors as calculating the taxes on the sale of your home, strategizing your retirement distributions to pay less taxes, helping you determine how to operate your business, and so much more. Feel free to reach out with any questions during the year. We encourage you to do so.
Third-Party Request
Q: Do you respond to a third-party request?
A: We understand that client applications for loans, health and life insurance coverage, government subsidy programs and even child adoption are predicated on verifying certain critical information. To gain some assurances that the information you provide is accurate, lenders, providers, regulators and various other government and nongovernment agencies will often request third-party verification letters from our firm. These letters might ask our firm to verify certain information that you have previously provided or that you are simultaneously providing. These verification letters are typically asked to be signed by us before they commit to providing a loan, a government subsidy or health insurance, to name a few examples. Please be aware that CPA standards place limitations on the information we can provide to third-parties, as well as, the services we can provide to clients. When these requests to you are made, we encourage you to seek our assistance. When possible, within the limitations we are allowed and with your consent, we will respond to these request.​
Q: Can you send a third-party a copy of my tax return?
A: If we receive a request from you, a lender, or another third-party seeking verification of your information, you should understand we cannot provide any confidential client information without your signed, written consent. Likewise, obtaining your consent to share tax return information creates an added complication because using a standard client consent form is not sufficient. In fact, it’s a crime. Internal Revenue Code Section 7216 dictates that all tax return preparers use a specific format to obtain consent to disclose client tax return information to a third party. Please be aware that we follow the Code when asked to provide copies of tax information, tax returns, or other information used in the preparation of a client’s tax return.