How much do you pay your CPA?

[Jill]

Okay, I know it's a broad question, with a lot of possible variables. So let's say that you have a CPA (or otherwise qualified accountant) who just takes the information you give them, and prepares your state and federal tax returns. He offers general information/advice when asked. And when the State/IRS disagrees with the returns/amendments he has filed on your behalf, he reviews it for errors/disconnects.

How much would you pay this guy per hour?

 

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[Rickson9]

$300 to $400 p hr? I consider them to be similar to attorneys. My accountant needs to be qualified to file with the IRS and the Canadian CRA.

 

[kwerner]

I haven't experienced an audit or anything like that so I'm not exactly sure on the *hourly* rate she charges. I just pay her $250 to prepare & file federal taxes, K-1, and all that stuff. She works in a medium sized firm and doesn't charge extra for phone calls / emails or anything like that.

 

[pro]

https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/general-business-discussion/34520-what-do-you-pay-your-us-accountants-year-corporations-only.html

 

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[CPisHere]

Not sure what rate I pay hourly, but my CPA helped me do my books for 6 months and filed my taxes (including federal, state, and payroll) for $1,200.

I have since learned to do the books myself and only go to her for help occasionally, so I expect my total to be around the same for this year.

 

[DeletedUser2]

how complex is your stuff?

1 biz? 10?

how complex is your COA?

if its just taxes, 200-1500

really complex stuff upwards of 3K


you asked a vague question, hope this is not to vague an answer.

btw, would you want to hire a brain surgeon to do work on your brain, or a plumber?

I guess that really depends on the value you put on specialized work.

 

[Jill]

how complex is your stuff? 1 biz? 10? how complex is your COA? if its just taxes, 200-1500, really complex stuff upwards of 3K

Not terribly complex. For this particular question, I am talking about an S Corp (professional services). But this particular client forced me to work thru a vendor as a W2, in Cali, which has high state income tax. I live in TX where there is no state income tax.

I do my own bookkeeping, and pass them the numbers. They filed an amended return for my Cali State taxes, because I had tried to do it myself and messed it up. Then after I filed the amended return, with full payment, Cali sends me a bill for an additional $2400. I had already paid them $2k AFTER having federal W/H taken from my check for the full 6 months. I made less than $110k in the 6 months I was on the project. So I don't know if they are trying to charge me taxes on the full year's income? Or what?

In any case, to look at the amended return (that he prepared) and compare his numbers to those that California is claiming (a total of 10 numbers on a statement from them) he wants to charge me $250/hr x 3 hours. Just seems excessive to me. So whether he screwed up or CA screwed up, I have to pay another $500 AT LEAST. That's why I was asking.

Have I ever mentioned here how much I hate taxes?

 

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[Rickson9]

$250/hr seems normal to me. I can't comment on the details surrounding this issue of course.

Personally I don't mind paying taxes. If I pay a lot of taxes, it likely means that I made a nice sum of money. That's how I try to look at it anyway. LOL