Tax Accountant Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Where can I find a good tax accountant? I was wondering how people find good tax accountant other than word of mouth. I've gone to H&R Block and they've made mistakes on my taxes last year. I'm not sure who else I can trust. Thanks in advance.

Answer: You can also get a referral from National Association of Enrolled Agents website (NAEA.ORG). While I am an Enrolled Agent, I am not a member of the association...90% of my client base is from referrals. --A Damn Fine Tax Advisor (and EA)

Question: What is the best way to get tax documents back from a tax accountant? We gave a tax accountant 3 years of tax information after she convinced us it was in our best interest to amend those years. She processed one year, things seemed to be going as planned. The deadline for the next year came, as did the excuses why it was not ready to refile, but the deadline passed and the excuses continued. So we asked her to return our documents. For over a year now, we asked several times. There is always a reason why she didn't have a chance to look for them, or promises she will, etc. We have been patient, understanding, and growing more concerned. I am past the point of caring about the financial aspect of this, I just want our information back. Recently, I offered to move boxes for her or assist in anyway as she said our docs were packed and moved to her current business location. A moment later she informed me she already returned everything to my wife, which she did not. I am at a loss as to what to do next and would greatly appreciate any suggestions.

Answer: Its obvious she has misplaced these documents. Confront her!

Question: Recommendations for a Taiwanese tax accountant in Silicon Vally, CA? I live in Sunnyvale, CA. I need a good Taiwanese tax accountant in the Silicon Valley/ San Jose area. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Answer: If you want the best, get an enrolled agent. Go on the National Association of Enrolled Agents website and type in your zip as well as Sunnyvale, California. There will be a long list and you can find one there for sure. Even if not from Taiwan, you will be able to find one from Hong Kong. Click on "Find an enrolled agent". Click the button next to "Match any criteria". Best of luck; website below

Question: Do you use Turbo Tax or a Tax accountant to do your taxes? Which do you prefer? Is it easy to use Turbo Tax if you are not aware of tax breaks,credits,schedules blah blah blah....Is it idiot proof? (lol) Would I get the same back using Turbo Tax as i would my normal accountant?

Answer: we used turbo tax last year. far less expensive, and very simple to use. good luck!

Question: Can I fill out EIC form by myself or I have to go to my tax accountant? I filed amended tax return for 2007 a few weeks ago. Now, NY state dept. of tax sent me a letter saying that I need to send them IT-215, or the EIC form. Is it something I should fill out or I need my tax accountant for this?

Answer: NYS EIC is very straight forward, as it is simply 30% of the federal EIC claimed. So you should be able to fill it out with the guidance of the instructions nearby. You would also be able to claim NYC EIC if you were a full or part-year NYC resident for 2007.

Question: What happens if a tax accountant changes your income? I recently saw a tax acoountant that changed my income by 30k and then had the Real Estate Brooker submit it to the IRS. What is the type of punishment they would get for this?

Answer: This is called "Fraud". It's a felony.

Question: Tax accountant not returning calls, Oct 15th filling date,? My Tax accountant have all my tax papers, He filled for extension in April since he was too busy to file my returns then, a month ago he told me that he will get them done in the next two weeks, and now he is not returning my calls and his office is closed. Isn't Monday Oct 15th by midnight is the next deadline for filing the taxes? Since he is not returning my calls, what are my options before the deadline? Once the deadline passes and since he has all my statements, what should I do as next step to avoid further losses of time, efforts and money?? Should I contact the Better Business Bureau California? should I take him to small claim court? or would I need higher court for more than $5K? so what can i do before the deadline passes (Monday Midnight??)

Answer: His office being closed is a real bad sign. Sounds like he got in over his head, and has bailed out on his customers. Yes, the deadline is 10/15 for filing your return with the extension. You'll have a real hard time making that now. You might have to go back and get other copies of the documents and start from scratch with another accountant. BBB isn't going to do much of anything other than take your complaint and have it on file for anyone who checks with them for this accountant's history. And taking him to court will be pretty tricky if you can't find him. You mention amounts over $5K - is that really your loss (penalties and interest) due to his negligence, or the total you might owe? The tax part is your nickel - he's not responsible for that. And since an extension just adds time to file, not to pay, you were required to pay whatever you would owe by April anyway. If you did that, and have a bit of a refund coming, you won't be penalized for late filing if you miss the October 15 deadline. I'd do a few things - send a certified letter to his address, return receipt requested, asking for your tax papers back - and in the meantime, contact whoever they came from to get duplicates. If he's a CPA, contact the CA licensing board with your complaint. Good luck.

Question: Where can I find a trucker tax accountant? I live in philadelphia, and I need a tax person that deals with truckers, not h&r block. I lease a truck from a trucking company, and they offer tax services, but I don't trust that they have my best interest in mind. I need someone with my best interest in mind.

Answer: The leasing company may not have your best interests in mind but I'll bet their tax service people know truck leasing inside and out. The company's best interest is probably to keep you running. Do check it out.

Question: Tax accountant made error on return? I found a error on our taxes filed this year. They had filed my capatial gains all as short term gains vs long term. I had around 4,500 of long term capital gain. Our joint income was around 70,000. What is the difference on ther error of it all being in short term vs long term? I called out accountant and waiting for a reply back. What is the process and is there any additional cost to me? Also what is the tax saving from the mistake?

Answer: The accountant should prepare an amended return for you and shouldn't charge you for doing it. Your capital gains tax on the LT gains could be around $450 less when they're filed properly instead of at short term. Don't worry about trying to get it done before the 4/17 deadline, since you won't owe penalties on the mistake.

Question: How to become an (tax) accountant? I am considering changing careers and I would like more information on how to become an accountant or accounting clerk. Preferably what classes or degree you will need to become an accountant. If possible I would like to know what education (certificate or degree) is the minimum required to begin working in the field as I work on completing my education.

Answer: To be an accountant, you need either an associates (good) or bachelors degree (better) in accounting or a related field. From there, if you have your bachelors, you can take some advanced courses and become a CPA (certified public accountant), increasing your earnings potential. For classes, check the website of any nearby university or college and they should have a course listing posted for various fields of study. Here is an example of classes from a 4 year university for a bachelors degree: Freshman Year A100 Basic Accounting Skills Sophomore Year A201 Introduction to Financial Accounting A202 Introduction to Managerial Accounting Junior Year A311 Intermediate Financial Accounting I A325 Cost Accounting A329 Taxes and Decision Making S400 Integration of Systems and the Business X301 Communication for Accountants Senior Year A312 Intermediate Financial Accounting II A424 Auditing 3 hours of elective course work in accounting Students must also elect to take a 9 credit hour supporting concentration in a business discipline other than accounting. Popular options include information and process management, finance, and operations management.

Question: Can you work as both a Tax Accountant as well as an Insolvency Practitioner? I'm an Accounting student, working towards being chartered. I'm interested in both Tax and Insolvency. Is it possible to pursue both areas, or can you only specialise in one? When I say 'Insolvency', I also mean to include Corporate restructuring etc

Answer: of course you can wear as many hats that time will allow!!!

Question: Tax accountant made a mistake on bank account number, will I lose my refund? Unfortunately, I discovered this error after a while. When doing efile, the accountant made an error in account number for direct deposit (put 60 instead of 06). Will I lose my refund or get it by mail?

Answer: THE BANK WILL SEND THE MONEY BACK TO THE IRS WHO WILL THEN MAIL YOU A CHECK TO THE ADDRESS YOU FILED FROM. ITLL TAKE A WHILE CALL THE IRS AND THEY CAN LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOU SHOULD BE GETTING IT...18008291040

Question: How do I find a trustworthy tax accountant and financial advisor in my area? Experience with new small business owners. Heart of a teacher, not a salesman.

Answer: I work as a tax accountant and I always tell people to ask friends and work acquaintances for references. Find someone in a similar situation who is happy with their person and find out who they use.

Question: I am looking for a tax accountant who specializes in film and television companies. Any ideas? I am in melbourne. I need someone who isn't too expensive, we are only classed as a small business.

Answer: The fact is if you pay peanuts you get monkeys. You shouldn't be looking for a cheap accountant, but a good one, and one you can trust with your personal info. There are many more accountants out there than just CPA's, there are also chartered accountants and a myriad of others (I'm a CPA so i'm not being biased). Talk to other people in the industry and see who they trust with their finances. Think too that with today's technology your accountant can be not just around the corner but anywhere; my clients are based as far away as the UK, so the tyranny of distance no longer exists, all you need is a scanner and email and your accountant can be anywhere. The most important thing though is trust no matter what the cost.

Question: Where do I get started to become a Tax Accountant in CA? I have searched online, but cannot find the information about what type of schooling I need and where I can attend classes. Anyone with advice, thanks in advance

Answer: To be a tax accountant you will need college accounting classes. If you just want to prepare simple returns, the H&R Block class ought to do it. You will need to get your CTEC license that requires a 60 hour training course and continuing professional education. Better than that is Enrolled Agent certification.

Question: I need a tax accountant in Perth or surroundings who can help me to do my New Zealand tax return.? I live in Australia and had a rental property in NZ. Sold it in May 2006. I am having problems doing my tax return for New Zealand for 2007.

Answer: I suggest that you look up the yellow pages for an accountant in the Perth area. http://www.yellowpages.com.au/siteEntry.do?referrer=wigen