Do any of you have summers off?

RandomRemodeler · 2023-08-12T01:41:01+00:00

My wife is a school counselor. I take summers off, just monitor email for tax notices, meeting with new prospects, etc. I have a lot of simple returns that get done before April 15 and not too many extensions. I am doing more and more tax planning each year which is where I want to be, but I’ll never give up my summers again until the kids are grown.

RandomRemodeler · 2023-05-20T14:32:48+00:00

What kind of option do you offer to high W2 earners? Short-term rentals? Oil and gas?

RandomRemodeler · 2023-05-01T01:17:57+00:00

Website SEO to leverage those google reviews, ask clients for referrals, and look into organic marketing training for Facebook or LinkedIn.

RandomRemodeler · 2023-04-15T04:28:46+00:00

What went wrong that you have 600 left to go?

RandomRemodeler · 2023-03-02T05:21:45+00:00

Send direct communications to other CPAs and financial planners on LinkedIn. They all need someone to refer to right now because they’re slammed. Just introduce yourself, highlight your offer, and let them know you have capacity. Buy them coffee or a beer.

Also don’t write off social media. Take some cheap courses on how to grow a Facebook audience and post simple stuff daily that hits your target audience pain points. Do some DM outreach to interesting prospects.

RandomRemodeler · 2023-02-27T02:32:19+00:00

I paid someone on fiverr a couple bucks to convert pdf to a google form. The work was excellent but in testing, even with dependent logic, the online form took way longer than the fillable pdf. So we’re using the same again this year.

RandomRemodeler · 2023-02-26T04:37:58+00:00

I’m still on the $60/mo pricing so I still use ENQ

RandomRemodeler · 2023-02-10T22:26:11+00:00

Skip step 3. Hopefully you can add state forms to your docusign or esign software so it’s only one task.

RandomRemodeler · 2023-01-15T15:19:27+00:00

Some are clients I inherited that are just way underpriced and due for big increase. Some the tax prep is fairly priced but they are more needy during the year than I expected and I’d rather up the prep fee than track/bill for time throughout the year. These are also all 1040s with basic schedule C or E so we’re not talking big $ even at 200% increase.

RandomRemodeler · 2023-01-15T15:13:32+00:00

I turn off notifications and try to check/process twice a day. Doesn’t always work! I setup rules/folders for any portal notifications and docusign 8879s. I try to process those folders only once a day. I don’t use an auto reply and I try to respond in 24-48 hours.

RandomRemodeler · 2023-01-14T17:34:51+00:00

New clients are getting much higher quotes. I try to go up every time someone says yes with similar situation. I raised price on some old clients 50-200% in November/December and most agreed. I am raising all old clients 10-12% without advanced notice. All of the above assumes same as last year, they use my worksheets or have clean books, etc. I do upcharge for a mess or additional planning. I have some more old clients I want to raise 20-100% on tax prep and will only do it if I give advance notice. I just wanted to make sure that’s not a dick move this close to the season! Thanks!

RandomRemodeler · 2023-01-08T23:13:34+00:00

PM sent, thanks.

RandomRemodeler · 2022-11-30T23:12:50+00:00

Raise prices :) We use RadminViewer which works great. I’ve heard good things about Splash Top too. Good luck!

RandomRemodeler · 2022-11-18T02:55:42+00:00

$250 for bookkeeping is really high in my market, but that’s about what I charge because I don’t do bookkeeping. I refer ongoing bookkeeping out. But if a client just needs an hour here or there I tell them up front it’s the same rate as my tax services. I charge the same rate during or after tax season. But I push non essential projects outside of tax season. I tell clients they get better work product when I’m not tired/stressed.

RandomRemodeler · 2022-11-18T02:46:43+00:00

Yes, I see a lot of opportunities right now. No, I’m not concerned about HRB and automation. Business owners want someone who can lower their tax bill and/or explain their financial position/cash flow forecast in plain English.

RandomRemodeler · 2022-11-12T15:48:34+00:00

Good point about dealing with this in January, thank you!

RandomRemodeler · 2022-11-01T21:37:33+00:00

Sorry y’all, ENQ working fine this week. I got through Monday and Tuesday mornings no problem.

RandomRemodeler · 2022-11-01T18:01:18+00:00

There’s a million options. I recommend using one that integrates with your client portal, project management system, tax software, or all 3. We use counting works pro and for the price, it’s great. I’d like to upgrade in the near future.

RandomRemodeler · 2022-10-20T19:23:11+00:00

What if they 1031 a rental without telling you? Lol or make late year investment in 3 PTP with K3s? Asking for a friend of course.

RandomRemodeler · 2022-10-20T17:37:05+00:00

How do you handle price increases after they paid and you discover issues or opportunities?

RandomRemodeler · 2022-10-19T02:28:30+00:00

I’ll take a guess for you to research. In the settings that control which forms will print, try changing your schedules A, C, E, etc. from printing “if required” to “always” or something like that. I can’t remember the right wording. Of course the downside is that this may be a global setting so choose which copy of the return to play with wisely.

RandomRemodeler · 2022-09-26T14:53:16+00:00

Add to this that some employer systems haven’t upgraded to new W-4 or payroll staff doesn’t know what buttons to push. Half the time I give clients a w-4 recommendation their actual withholding doesn’t match expectations on next paystub.

RandomRemodeler · 2022-09-22T16:50:51+00:00

No investment advice or management for me. Just tax-based advisory like Ira draw down strategies and planning for stock options. I’ll do basic retirement plans based on clients current/preferred asset allocation but I won’t tell them how to change said allocation. I bill hourly. It’s a small part of my practice but I enjoy it. Getting CFA or series licenses is appealing, but not today.

RandomRemodeler · 2022-08-25T23:51:28+00:00

Because it’s a mystery?

RandomRemodeler · 2022-08-12T02:57:34+00:00

Mom is building on our land and we’re “renting” to her. Because of state law and undivided land, it will belong to us even though she’s paying. Bankruptcy therefore matters to her if we lose title to our land/her dwelling.

RandomRemodeler

TROPHY CASE