FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
For tax returns, unless they are complex or the client's records need a lot of organizing, I have a flat fee. For consulting, I can do a fixed bid based on an understanding of the scope. If the scope is not able to be determined, I charge by the hour. In these cases, I usually have a +/- corridor where if the hours incurred are under or over a percentage of the estimated hours, the price does not change. If the hours are below or over that range, I refund or charge at a discounted rate. For regular financial statements (for example, monthly or quarterly) I charge a fixed fee.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I listen to them talk about what they need. I do very little talking. After I think I have a grasp of what they are trying to accomplish (be it a business goal, tax outcome, or process change) I ask questions to get a solid understanding of what they need. I ask enough questions so I can state their goals in a way that they say: "that's it!". If I start to work on a problem that I don't understand it, it wastes everybody's time.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an undergraduate degree in accounting, and MBA in Economics, and and am almost done with a masters of taxation. I have been a CPA for 27 years and CMA (certified management accountant) for 15 years. I also just became certified in sustainability accounting (FSA level I as issued by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board).