Frequently Asked Questions

How much do you charge for 1040 preparation?

Do you charge for Email or Phone Questions?

How much do you charge for 1120, 1065?

Here is a test to see if you're getting what you're paying for now

How much do you charge for QuickBooks setups?

How much do you charge per hour?

How does QuickBooks Hosting save me Money?

Can you work with us, even though our business resides over 100 miles away?

Do you offer Fixed fee service for business?

In the event that we get audited how does your fee structure apply or is it free?

Can you send me a copy of my Returns?

Can you send me a copy of my W-2?

What's my log in for the portal?

How do I know if my return has been E-filed?

Did you file an extension for us?

Can you file an extension for me?

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How much do you charge for 1040 preparation?

Our pricing on 1040 is by the form and our charges very similar to H&R Block. While our product and level of service is not. Most returns fall between $200 and $500 for individuals. Unorganized data will have separate fee over and above the return fee. Scanning documents to web portal, filling out the web organizer to the best of your ability are all insurance for the most accurate return with lowest fee possible.

Do you charge for Email or Phone Questions?

Yes we do, but within reason. Clients will inevitably have questions and that is what keeps us in business. As a business, we will track the time it takes to service a client and will increase the annual fee based on time expended for email responses, and phone meetings. It costs us money to answer the questions and we are simply passing the cost back to the customer. Some CPA don't answer questions and therefore don't charge. We are liable to our answers and therefore take them very seriously and therefore all correspondence are billable and is recorded to client file as an interaction. This sort of detailed tracking takes time to complete and is therefore billable. The minimum increment is 15 minutes.

How Much do you charge for 1120, 1065?

We have extensive checklist that we go through for corporation and partnership returns and therefore we charge hourly for these types of returns. Our hourly can vary based on level of staff needed to complete your returns. All of our Tax hourly rates are listed in tax hourly rates. An typical corporate return will range from $800 to $1,500. Unlike other CPA's that don't give you what you pay for every year, we do.

 

Here is a test to see if your getting what you're paying for now:

 

Video of what to look for on your Return

 

 

How Much do you charge for QuickBooks setups?

Well there are multiple parts to this question.

1) See QuickBooks file Setup for a detailed explanation. To customize it for you is based on Consulting hourly rates below that range depending on location of training. We have a large library of QuickBooks files and prefer you to use our standardized chart of accounts with our free tutorials on how to use the accounts to maximize your tax deductions.

2) See QuickBooks Trainings for a detailed explanation. All one on one trainings are customized to your needs and they are billed at the consulting hourly rates below.

How much does your firm charge per hour?

We have multiple levels and types of rates and they are as follows depending on level of service provided and level staff required to complete your service:

• Tax Hourly Rates: $115 to $165 based depending level of Staff
• Admin Rates: $45 per hour
• Payroll and Sales Tax: $80-$115 depending on the level of staff required
• Bookkeeping Hourly Rate: $45-$65 depending on level of staff
• Consulting Hourly Rate: In office is $105 per hour and at your location is $115 and travel time billed at $60 per hour. We also offer convenient remote training at $105 per hour.

How does QuickBooks Hosting save me Money?

There numerous type interactions that we have daily with our clients with regards to QuickBooks. Phone, E-mail, Text, remote connections sessions, and in person. All these various types of interaction have a time factor in relation to getting to the actual data file.

• What version of QuickBooks do you have?
• What is the Admin password?
• Client uploads a QBB or QBA file.
• We Download the file
• Check it in, as ready to work on.
• Open the file in proper version
• Work on the file
• Transfer back to customer

 

This can take an hour without even opening the file. If you transfer your file 4-5 times a year this can be $200-300 depending on size of file.

 

Hosting saves you money by eliminating data transfer and puts your accountant in a position to assist clients in real time.

Accountant's copies are eliminated since client and accountant can work in same version live.

Backups are also stored for 90 days back in time and you can pick the day you want to be restored to in about an hour.

Can you work with us, even though our business resides over 100 miles away?

We utilize the latest technologies that allow us to work with clients from anywhere in the United States. Once a client is accepting of the Client Web Portal environment we can exchange documents, files, and tax returns in seconds. With the use of QuickBooks hosting service we are the outsourced accountants. If have clients need live assistance we can log in and remote assist clients by viewing their screen and talking them through a problem as if we were there in person. Distance is not a problem if a client is tech savvy.

Do you offer Fixed fee service for business?

Once a client has been with us for over a year and a complete business cycle has been completed we can offer a fixed fee arrangement for our services. So if the annual fee was $3,000 we can break it down into a monthly service fee of $250 per month. We are striving to become a fixed fee firm and are constantly working on our model of operation, but old habits are hard to break and time is our commodity for most clients.

In the event that we get audited how does your fee structure apply or is it free?

We don't represent for free since they are not billed in advance. Some firms charge an audit protection fee and 99% of the time you don't get audited. Some firms out there play on the fear of being audited and charge a 10% fee for "Audit Protection". We don't subscribe to that style of operation.

In the event of an audit, we review the audit report and we will send out a client an engagement letter that outlines the following:

• How your audit works, and what's being audited.
• What We'll do on your behalf
• What we need from you to defend your position
• Expected date of Audit
• When we need requested documentation for the audit by for review
• Request for a Retainer and an outline of fees.

 

Audit can range from 3-4 hours to months depending on what type of audit is being conducted.

 

Can you send me a copy of my Returns?

Yes, for minimal charge or you can grab a copy in your web portal for free. If we email tax returns it must be password encrypted and there is a small charge to cover employee labor.

Can you send me a copy of my W-2?

Yes, for minimal charge or you can grab a copy in your web portal for free. If we email a W-2 they must be password encrypted and there is a small charge to cover employee labor.

What's my log in for the Web portal?

This is a popular and time consuming question and for that reason we have video on the front page of web site called reset your password. If after you watch this video you cannot login, please contact Darci Lemas in the office and she can only tell you your login and you will need to reset it by sending to your email.

How do I know if my return has been E-filed?

If you have requested that an email confirmation be sent to you. It is automatically send once it has been accepted. You should get email confirmations for each return filed, federal and state. If you did not please contact Darci and she can make sure that you fulfilled all the obligations of completing the e-file process.

Did you file an extension for us?

As a matter of convenience and courtesy for our clients we file extension without being asked to file an extension, provided you were an active client for the preceding year. Our extension will be for zero balance due and are not responsible for any penalties arising out of the service. If you would like a calculation for balance due extension please call our office.

Can you file an extension for me?

Yes, it is an automatic courtesy if you filed with us the previous year. If you are new, we would like a minimum amount of information. Please fill out our, Extension request Form, Name, Address, phone, email, and W-2. Our fee for this is $50 and $25 will be subtracted from your total fee on the return is finalized.

If you would like a balance due calculation we will need more information, please call our office.