Home / FAQ
Questions Clients Ask Us
Straight answers about working with us, taxes, bookkeeping, and getting started. Don't see your question? Ask it on a free discovery call.
General
How Are You Different from Other Accounting Firms?
Three things. First, you work directly with a licensed CPA who knows your business, and every answer is written for your situation. Second, the work stays in-house: the same firm keeps your books, oversees your payroll, and prepares and signs your tax returns, so nothing gets lost between providers. Third, planning happens during the year, while there's still time to act.
Do You Work with Clients Outside Florida?
Yes. The firm is licensed in Florida and serves clients in all 50 states, including multi-state returns and businesses that operate across state lines.
What If I Only Need a Tax Return?
That's what our one-time services are for. We prepare personal returns from $400 and business returns from $1,000, with no monthly commitment.
Is There a Contract?
Monthly packages are billed monthly under a one-year agreement. One-time services are quoted and paid up front, with no ongoing commitment.
How Fast Do You Respond?
Portal messages are answered within one business day, and usually the same day. Summit clients receive priority response.
How Much Should I Set Aside for Taxes?
Many self-employed owners set aside 25% to 30% of profit as a starting point, but your number depends on your income, state, and deductions. To avoid federal underpayment penalties, the general rule is to pay at least 100% of last year's tax through estimates and withholding, or 110% if your prior-year adjusted gross income was over $150,000 (IRC ยง6654). Monthly clients get their quarterly amounts calculated for them.
For Businesses
What Size Businesses Do You Work With?
Our monthly packages are built for businesses bringing in $100,000 or more a year. Smaller businesses and one-time needs are a great fit for our one-time services.
Can You Take Over Midyear?
Yes. Catch-up bookkeeping brings earlier months current, and then your monthly package starts fresh. If a prior year was never filed or needs to be amended, we'll quote that during your discovery call.
Do You Run Payroll?
Payroll runs through a provider such as Gusto, which files the payroll returns. We set it up, review it every quarter, reconcile it to your books, and catch problems before they become notices.
Do I Have to Switch Bookkeeping Software?
We work in QuickBooks Online and Xero. If you use either one, nothing changes. If you use something else or a spreadsheet, we'll move your books over during onboarding. The software subscription isn't included in our package prices.
One-Time Services
Why Might My Quote Be Higher Than the Starting Price?
Starting prices cover a typical return: a federal return, one state return, and common income and deductions. Additional states, rental properties, investment sales or cryptocurrency, K-1s, foreign reporting, more owners, or books that need cleanup all add work. We review your documents first and give you a firm quote before anything begins, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Is There a Minimum?
No. One-time services are available to anyone, with no revenue minimum and no monthly commitment.
How Does It Work?
Tell us what you need. Marty replies within one business day with a quote and next steps, and you'll upload documents through our secure portal. Payment is due before work begins.
Can I Upgrade to a Monthly Package Later?
Yes. Many clients start with a Personal Tax Return or Tax Planning Session. If you move to a monthly package, an S Corp Analysis fee is credited toward your first three months of Ascent.
Second Look
Is This an Audit or a Review?
No. Second Look is a consulting service, not an audit, review, or any other assurance engagement. We look at the items you ask us to, tell you what we found, and recommend changes. We don't certify that the work is correct.
Will You Sign or File My Return?
Only if we prepare it. If you'd like a CPA-signed return, we can prepare it for you instead.
What If the AI Got It Badly Wrong?
We'll tell you, explain the main problems, and offer to prepare the work ourselves at our standard one-time pricing, with a firm quote before we begin.
Which AI Tools Do You Work With?
Any of them. Send the finished output, such as a draft return, a spreadsheet, or an exported chat, through our secure client portal. Please remove Social Security numbers and account numbers first.
What's the Difference Between the Two Levels?
A reasonableness check looks at the AI's output on its own for errors, missing items, and red flags. A document-matched check also compares the output against your source documents, such as W-2s, 1099s, and bank statements. The document-matched check is more thorough, and your quote reflects which level you choose.
Therapists and Private Practices
What About Client Confidentiality and HIPAA?
We never need client names, session notes, or any protected health information to do your books or your taxes. Your books need only deposit amounts and payers, not who you treat. Documents move through an encrypted client portal, and our written information security plan follows the FTC Safeguards Rule that applies to tax return preparers.
Do I Have to Switch Bookkeeping Software?
Your EHR, such as SimplePractice or TherapyNotes, stays exactly as it is. For bookkeeping, we work in QuickBooks Online and Xero, and we'll move your books over during onboarding if needed. The software subscription isn't included in our package prices.
I'm Just Starting My Private Practice. Is It Too Early?
Our monthly packages are built for practices bringing in $100,000 or more a year. If you expect to reach that in your first full year, we can start with you right away. If not, our one-time services, like a personal tax return or a tax planning session, give you a CPA's help until you get there.
I Still Have a W-2 Job. Can You Help with My Side Practice?
Yes. We plan your estimated taxes around both, so the withholding from your job and your practice income work together instead of leaving you with a surprise bill.
Who Actually Does the Work?
Your bookkeeping, payroll oversight, and tax returns are handled inside the firm, and every return is reviewed and signed by a CPA.
Still Have Questions?
Book a free 20-minute discovery call, or send a note and Marty will reply within one business day.