What happens when I make an appointment with dcs Accounting & Tax Services

You are ready to make that Appointment with dcs Accounting & Tax, what  are some of the most important things that you should  bring?

1) W-2's
2) 1099's
3) Mortgage Statement
4) 2011 Income Tax Return
5) other specific items may be requested when appointment is made.

At dcs Accounting & Tax we also provide our clients with a Tax Organizer. This also helps  provide us with any other documents that we may need  that pertains to their specific return.    Our clients find this very helpful in preparing for their tax appointment. 

When you make an appointment with dcs Accounting & Tax Maria , will send the Tax Organizer  out to you. She will then schedule a time with you.  We provide daytime, evening and weekend hours for appointments.

What happens at my Appointment?  You will sit down with our CPA, David and he will review the information with you.  He will also answer any questions you have in reference to your taxes and questions about any changes that may have occurred with your tax status like for example: new business, new child, college financial aid, investments and more. The appointment  can take 30 - 60 minutes. 

David is the person that prepares and files the returns. This is a something that does set us apart from many CPA firms.   While he prepares the returns he does keep contact with the client on anything they should be aware or other questions that may arise. Communication is key for dcs Accounting & Tax. 

When we complete the return we will then contact  our client to let them know their return is complete they will come in we then  review the return with them  and then the client will sign a e-file signature authorization which is  required before we transmit any return. 

Also our clients who return to us each tax season receive a report that gives them a summary and recommendations this is something we offer to help our clients plan for the next tax year.

Everything is given to the client in an organized folder with instructions. 

We maintain contact with our clients throughout the year. Through email reminders, phone calls, postcard reminders. 

Also many of our clients will keep contact throughout the year with questions that may arise and also through some other services we provide to them like bookkeeping, Quickbooks consulting(David & Maria are Certified Quickbooks ProAdvisors), Business consulting, payroll, and preparing financial statements. 
The value of what we provide is more than just about filing taxes, it gives you ideas that can save you money,   it is about having some direction on planning for the future too and helping make some important decisions that happen in life when it comes to Tax and finances.

Why should I hire a CPA?

There are many out there that provide Tax Services some you see really strongly from Jan-April are National chains, some are Public Accountants(not certified) and some come in the form of Software you pay for to do your Income Taxes.

There have been  changes by the IRS to keep a strong control on who does taxes that they follow strict standards and requirements set forth which are put in place to protect Taxpayers. Check IRS.gov for what to look for if you hire a tax professional.

CPA's have additional  standards that they must follow and to practice as a CPA in PA. 
-They must have two years (3,200 hours) of professional experience including 800hours of attest activity to become become a CPA.
-Pass a very intense  four-Part exam that tests  in the areas of Financial Accounting and reporting, auditing and  attestation, regulation and business environment and concepts. 
-Comply with a strict code of ethics
-Adhere to high standards of independence, integrity, objectivity and professional compliance
-Completed 80 hours of continuing professional education every 2 years to stay current with new rules and regulations.
-Undergo a peer review every three years for those that provide attest activity with a public accounting firm. 

Many times you will find a CPA is able to act as a CFO for a smaller company that does not have one on staff.   Many times this is very important for many small to mid sized businesses when making decisions in their business and one of the most vital professionals that they can hire. 

Also a CPA is a key professional to have with things that happen in life and making the right financial decisions college planning, financial investing, those who are retired, divorce, bankruptcy, Real Estate investing, dealing with estate planning  and so much more. 

A CPA is someone more than just a professional you use at tax time.  They are a KEY person to hire and the Value they provide is great.