Advising clients on tax issues, preparing tax returns and representing clients before the IRS or state taxing jurisdictions is rarely a simple or straightforward process. For example, the structuring of a corporate acquisition has numerous ramifications beyond the immediate concern for the taxability of the persons disposing of the business. The form chosen for the transaction will affect the tax basis of the acquired assets or stock, the carryover of Net Operating Losses and other tax attributes, the accounting methods that must be used for the continuing enterprise and numerous other considerations. Similarly, a taxpayer's choice of the legal entity used to conduct a new business will have consequences that go far beyond shielding the entrepreneur from liabilities arising from the new venture. Inexperienced tax practitioners can sometimes competently address the component elements but may not see the overall interrelationship of the various issues.

My tax practice is based on over 27 years of experience in the field. I may consult (with your approval) with tax specialists in areas where their experience and knowledge will add value to the product which I deliver to you. Any work not personally done by me will be reviewed by me before it is implemented.

:: Hierarchies Don't Work ::

The business model used by many accounting firms is a hierarchical chain with the partner on top, the senior manager reporting to the partner, the manager reporting to the senior manager, the senior reporting to the manager, and the staff reporting to the senior. Each employee has a different billing rate to reflect their relative experience and limitations. In large organizations, this model is necessary to train staff because turnover at the middle levels is usually high. A tax manager at these firms can be expected to be reasonably familiar with your business and will have skills commensurate with his or her experience, but turnover and promotion at this level make for a lack of continuity.

If there is no mismatch of the people with the tasks to which they are assigned, if communication between those individuals works well, the sequencing of the tasks is appropriate, the staffing does not change and the process is focused, the client will get a good product at a fair price. If all these elements are not present, either quality will suffer or the costs will be unreasonable.

I established my practice to avoid these problems. I am directly involved with all aspects of my tax projects. I personally interview the client to determine the objectives to be achieved and the hurdles to be overcome. I do the tax research; I prepare the memos or legal documentation to achieve those objectives; I tie up all loose ends.