FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
The Masters in Taxation that I hold from the University of Denver and which I am looking at as I write this is a joint degree between the Daniels College of Business (my MBA alma mater as well) and the Sturm College of Law. The University of Denver is very smart, in my humble opinion, because to effectively, ethically, and correctly prepare a client's taxes, the endeavor by design & actual law requires both knowledge of accounting and knowledge of Title 26 (the Internal Revenue Code). If your tax pro is not an expert therein, a $1 fee is paying too much. Likewise, from my decades working solely under either my MBA degree or my Certified Internal Auditor credential, there are authoritative bodies out there that have the "generally - accepted" authority (real authority in terms of companies subject to the SEC, SOX, or the PCAOB) to promulgate rules. Again, if your pro is not an expert in such matters as may pertain to you, $1 is charging too much. As such, what potential clients should know about my pricing is that I will never prepare a bid for a job until and unless I am qualified to do so. I have spent 25+ years gaining education and experience not only from one of the best Universities in the nation but decades working for billionaire owners and accountants that knew their stuff so well they could teach it [as an aside, I have taught tax at Metropolitan State University of Denver]. Finally, in this day of massive data breaches, shareholder lawsuits, pervasive frauds, I am extremely dis-heartened to see so many accountants and tax professionals only providing their services remotely. Again, to me, if such persons charge a $1, they are over-charging you. I have an absolute rule that I have maintained without exception for the last 10 years in that I am not and will not file your taxes unless and until I meet with you face-to-face at least once a year. My existing clients joke (and I joke with them) that by forcing them to see my ugly mug, I should be paying them. Ok, kidding aside, from an ethical standpoint, I find such behavior abhorrent. As another aside, in my relative youth, I worked in law enforcement (in a jail). For longer than even I have been around, TV uses law enforcement as cannon fodder for suspense. But, it is the best theater in the world to sit across from someone and by the mere physical proximity, each party 'sizes-up' the other. I also worked as a paralegal for a number of years and depositions show the same thing. As such, it may become a running joke if you become a client of mine (and I hope that it does) but absolutely without question I am evaluating you when we first meet (and, believe me, I have thanked people for their time and asked them to leave as I wouldn't be taking them on as clients) and you should be checking me out before we meet and while we meet to see if you feel comfortable turning your Social Security number, your bank account numbers, your prior year tax returns over to me. That certain pros believe this can be accomplished hundreds/thousands of miles apart is just nonsense. Similarly
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Over the years, I have found that best results are obtained when I get to know my clients, understand the pressures they face and the goals they desire, and initially 'fix' any existing problems. Then, I train my clients on how to do the right things at the right time every time. I have recognized that hiring myself or any other accounting expert should almost by definition be a short-term engagement.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have two master's degrees from the University of Denver. First, I achieved an MBA and went to work for the State Auditor's Office, then I moved into Finance and Accounting working for AT&T and GE. I have 15 years of experience in Accounting, Audit, and Finance. Plus, I am a Certified Internal Auditor. I next achieved a Master's in Taxation. DU is consistently ranked in the top 15 best Graduate Law Tax Programs in the nation (#13 for 2016). I prepared tax returns for individuals and small businesses for seven years. I also provided representation services as I am also an Enrolled Agent. Briefly, an Enrolled Agent is a person who has passed a tax-only exam and is licensed by the Department of the Treasury to represent individuals under audit through every level of the IRS. It has always been my goal to achieve expertise in Audit, Tax, Finance, and Accounting. These are the major areas any business needs to understand for success. Very few individuals have such a breadth of experience. In recent years, I have worked as a CFO bringing my expertise as management. While I really enjoy working in management, office politics often makes the experience less than great. So, I am now starting my own business to provide substantive CFO services to individuals, small businesses, and non-profit organizations.