Melissa, The CPA Who Writes's Profile
Melissa, The CPA Who Writes
Recent Messages
#general - January 30, 2025 at 08:31 PM
100%. Plus the value (and perceived value) I provide to my clients is βΎοΈ higher than the perceived value a tax return preparer. Tax compliance is a necessary evil for most business owners. It's something they have to do. Nothing something they choose to do. But having a CPA on your team helping you navigate business decisions and financial strategies is a choice. And for me, helping clients with business decisions is the best.
#pets - January 30, 2025 at 02:35 PM
Hello lovely Pepe! π Boop!
#pets - January 30, 2025 at 02:35 PM
Honey, I think I shrunk the dog!
#general - January 30, 2025 at 02:34 PM
@Eric Doty (Superpath) π¨
#general - January 30, 2025 at 02:33 PM
That's all I write about (well more on the tax and accounting specific side of financial writing). AMA.
#general - January 30, 2025 at 02:26 PM
@Clayton Excellent question. I provide accounting services (think bookkeeping, virtual CFO type stuff) and tax strategy. I don't do tax compliance (tax return completion). So I don't really have a "busy season" like most folks think CPAs do. My workload is steady throughout the year.
#general - January 28, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Valid question @Sara Gates. It's one of the most common small business tax questions. There's no one size fits all in this situation. It depends. While the tax benefits that come from operating as an S-corp are plentiful, operating as an S-corp comes with additional administrative burden. However, a general rule of thumb as to when you should consider the switch from sole proprietor to S-corp is when you have at least $60 - 70k in NET INCOME a year (what's left over after you pay all your business expenses). Income below that won't offer much tax savings to be worth the additional admin work, like running payroll, calculating your reasonable salary, state specific tax and registration considerations, etc.
#general - January 28, 2025 at 10:12 PM
It's tax season here in the USA. Along with being a freelance FinTech writer, I'm also a CPA. I thought we could use a thread with some helpful US tax or year end accounting (not US specific since accounting rules are generally the same regardless of locale) information.
If anyone needs answers to a quick tax or accounting question, drop it here. I'll answer them quickly.
Feel free to DM with tax or accounting questions if you don't want to share your situation with others.
#pets - January 23, 2025 at 02:29 PM
FuFu! Yadav, please give him all the treats on my behalf.
#pets - January 23, 2025 at 02:28 PM
Joe, why aren't you snuggling this baby? The pillow tells you what time it is. π
#pets - January 23, 2025 at 02:27 PM
Simba's dreamin about chicken legs! π
#pets - January 23, 2025 at 02:26 PM
Not sure about the Canadian laws, but I'm pretty sure having a bald eagle as a pet in the US is illegal! π
#pets - January 19, 2025 at 06:52 PM
Happy birthday old fren!
#pets - January 14, 2025 at 07:29 PM
Squeeeee. I love the gray snoot!
#pets - January 14, 2025 at 07:28 PM
Toast keeping you toasty! π
#pets - January 09, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Miss Paprika is living the dream. Snoozle well, sweet girl! π€
#pets - January 08, 2025 at 09:07 AM
Ahhhh! His underbite is the best
#pets - January 08, 2025 at 09:06 AM
Avocado seems to be passive aggressively telling you to get off the computer.
#pets - January 08, 2025 at 09:05 AM
I will boop all of their snoots!
#pets - January 08, 2025 at 09:05 AM
Marty deserves all the treats!
#pets - January 08, 2025 at 09:04 AM
A void in a box! Hahza! π
#general - December 18, 2024 at 03:18 PM
I love handwritten cards more than gifts. It's more personal and shows the person was thoughtful about doing something personal instead of pushing a few buttons on Amazon or a website.
#pets - December 18, 2024 at 03:15 PM
Careful. He looks vicious. π
#pets - December 18, 2024 at 03:15 PM
Ahahahahahahahaha
#pets - December 18, 2024 at 03:14 PM
Excuse me, but there is a seal chillin in your pool! π
#pets - December 18, 2024 at 03:13 PM
With his emotional support lobster π
#pets - December 18, 2024 at 03:12 PM
I love pets in clothes!
#pets - December 03, 2024 at 03:33 PM
Oh tiny baby. π The cat distribution system never loses!
#pets - December 03, 2024 at 03:32 PM
Bout time they start earning some money! Those treats don't pay for themselves! π I've long threatened to make my pup work at the petting zoo to earn money for all his treats (he eats a lot. He weighs 100 pounds)
#pets - December 02, 2024 at 06:43 PM
Teef!
#pets - December 02, 2024 at 06:42 PM
Ohhh, I need to squish his cheek!
#content-collab - November 26, 2024 at 02:30 PM
@Eric Doty (Superpath) π¨
#pets - November 20, 2024 at 01:36 PM
Please tell me you booped that snoot! π
#pets - November 19, 2024 at 02:34 PM
Looking dapper! π
#general - November 12, 2024 at 02:12 PM
Hi Hayab. Are you looking for input from specific industries?
#general - November 05, 2024 at 02:50 PM
My experience is that when a prospect is more concerned about price than value, it's not going to be a good fit. I suggest tread lightly and don't put a heap of emotional energy into it. Send her a short email with 2-3 bullet points about the value you bring and then leave the ball in her court to decide what to do.
#pets - November 05, 2024 at 01:07 AM
Looks like you're going to need the "How to put your cat back together" manual for your black void! ππ
#pets - November 04, 2024 at 06:25 PM
That high hits just right! π She's adorable.
#pets - November 04, 2024 at 06:07 PM
Is that a catnip mouse? π
#pets - November 01, 2024 at 08:23 PM
I see a darling floof of mischief!
#pets - November 01, 2024 at 02:30 PM
A fluffy void! β€οΈ
#pets - October 31, 2024 at 01:25 PM
I need to boop that snoot!
#pets - October 30, 2024 at 01:42 PM
This boy needs a cold plunge!
#general - October 22, 2024 at 05:42 PM
You're welcome. Happy to help. π
#general - October 22, 2024 at 03:32 PM
You're welcome! Registration in your state is ideal, but not necessary. Only if you're looking for an audit, do they need to registered in your state. But make sure they are registered in a state. Each state has a public searchable database of all licensees.
I'm not aware of a comparison site for CPAs. Unless you really really really want to work with someone local, who may have an office you can visit, there's no need to limit yourself geographically to who's near you. In fact, many CPAs have gone fully virtual. I'd start with searching for "CPAs for freelancers" or something like that.
And as a side note: if you're looking for help with only tax preparation, consider using an Enrolled Agent. These folks only do tax work and are experts certified by the IRS.
#pets - October 22, 2024 at 03:05 PM
High fashion! π
#general - October 22, 2024 at 03:04 PM
Hey @Alyson. 20+ year US CPA here.
Start by looking for a CPA that specializes in or works exclusively with freelance businesses. CPAs all have specialties. All CPAs will know the basics but you'll want someone who understands the nuances of your industry so they can give you actionable and relevant advice. You can look at CPAs kinda like doctors. All doctors know the basics about the human body, but you want the surgeon specialist when it's time to replace your knee.
Second, make sure you know exactly what you want from the CPA. Are you looking for bookkeeping, tax planning, financial analysis, tax preparation? And make sure the CPA you're interviewing provides that service. Not all CPAs do tax work. Not all CPAs due bookkeeping, etc.
If you have specific questions, feel free to ask or send me a DM. Happy to help.
#pets - October 21, 2024 at 06:20 PM
Yay. More farm spam!
#general - October 16, 2024 at 06:54 PM
Hey @Jonathan Rick Thanks again for the heads up on my website being broken. It's back up and running now.
#general - October 15, 2024 at 01:16 PM
Thanks for the heads up Jonathan. I'll look into it this morning