[TemekuT]

jficquette, that’s an interesting idea about the audit frequency of self-prepared returns. I wonder what the statistics are.

For anyone worried about an audit, I recommend using a tax attorney for return preparation. You have the benefit of attorney-client privilege and the workpapers do not need to be turned over to the IRS. When using a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or Certified Tax Preparer, the workpapers must be turned over to the IRS if requested and all conversations and discussions cannot be kept confidential.

I sometimes think there may be an advantage to using a CPA or an Enrolled Agent who was formerly in the employ of the IRS. Imagine knowing what would likely trigger an audit and also how to deal with the IRS system and mentality!

[TemekuT]

jficquette, that’s an interesting idea about the audit frequency of self-prepared returns. I wonder what the statistics are.

For anyone worried about an audit, I recommend using a tax attorney for return preparation. You have the benefit of attorney-client privilege and the workpapers do not need to be turned over to the IRS. When using a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or Certified Tax Preparer, the workpapers must be turned over to the IRS if requested and all conversations and discussions cannot be kept confidential.

I sometimes think there may be an advantage to using a CPA or an Enrolled Agent who was formerly in the employ of the IRS. Imagine knowing what would likely trigger an audit and also how to deal with the IRS system and mentality!

[TemekuT]

jficquette, that’s an interesting idea about the audit frequency of self-prepared returns. I wonder what the statistics are.

For anyone worried about an audit, I recommend using a tax attorney for return preparation. You have the benefit of attorney-client privilege and the workpapers do not need to be turned over to the IRS. When using a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or Certified Tax Preparer, the workpapers must be turned over to the IRS if requested and all conversations and discussions cannot be kept confidential.

I sometimes think there may be an advantage to using a CPA or an Enrolled Agent who was formerly in the employ of the IRS. Imagine knowing what would likely trigger an audit and also how to deal with the IRS system and mentality!

[TemekuT]

jficquette, that’s an interesting idea about the audit frequency of self-prepared returns. I wonder what the statistics are.

For anyone worried about an audit, I recommend using a tax attorney for return preparation. You have the benefit of attorney-client privilege and the workpapers do not need to be turned over to the IRS. When using a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or Certified Tax Preparer, the workpapers must be turned over to the IRS if requested and all conversations and discussions cannot be kept confidential.

I sometimes think there may be an advantage to using a CPA or an Enrolled Agent who was formerly in the employ of the IRS. Imagine knowing what would likely trigger an audit and also how to deal with the IRS system and mentality!

[TemekuT]

jficquette, that’s an interesting idea about the audit frequency of self-prepared returns. I wonder what the statistics are.

For anyone worried about an audit, I recommend using a tax attorney for return preparation. You have the benefit of attorney-client privilege and the workpapers do not need to be turned over to the IRS. When using a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or Certified Tax Preparer, the workpapers must be turned over to the IRS if requested and all conversations and discussions cannot be kept confidential.

I sometimes think there may be an advantage to using a CPA or an Enrolled Agent who was formerly in the employ of the IRS. Imagine knowing what would likely trigger an audit and also how to deal with the IRS system and mentality!

[TemekuT]

Allan, you’re absolutely correct about “playing ball” on the audit side. Remember, the CPA profession licensing is based on the attest function, not on tax prep, and the revenue stream derived from audits and consulting is huge, especially since the inception of Sarbanes-Oxley.

I lost my innocence as a first year staffer for one of the Big 8 when it came time to trade off issues at the final audit meeting, in which I was not included. My audit senior explained to me what was transpiring, the bargaining process, and how this was common.

I submit in any form of big business it is impossible to succeed if you play by the rules because of widespread ethics breaches and corruption, and that this is common at THE TOP LEVEL, not at the worker bee level. What a sad commentary on ethics.

Having said that, I still maintain that almost all CPA tax preparers out there run their small business with integrity and would never compromise their license and livelihood to falsify an individual tax return. I know it happens, but infrequently, because it is just not worth the consequences to the sole proprietor or small partnership.

[TemekuT]

Allan, you’re absolutely correct about “playing ball” on the audit side. Remember, the CPA profession licensing is based on the attest function, not on tax prep, and the revenue stream derived from audits and consulting is huge, especially since the inception of Sarbanes-Oxley.

I lost my innocence as a first year staffer for one of the Big 8 when it came time to trade off issues at the final audit meeting, in which I was not included. My audit senior explained to me what was transpiring, the bargaining process, and how this was common.

I submit in any form of big business it is impossible to succeed if you play by the rules because of widespread ethics breaches and corruption, and that this is common at THE TOP LEVEL, not at the worker bee level. What a sad commentary on ethics.

Having said that, I still maintain that almost all CPA tax preparers out there run their small business with integrity and would never compromise their license and livelihood to falsify an individual tax return. I know it happens, but infrequently, because it is just not worth the consequences to the sole proprietor or small partnership.

[TemekuT]

Allan, you’re absolutely correct about “playing ball” on the audit side. Remember, the CPA profession licensing is based on the attest function, not on tax prep, and the revenue stream derived from audits and consulting is huge, especially since the inception of Sarbanes-Oxley.

I lost my innocence as a first year staffer for one of the Big 8 when it came time to trade off issues at the final audit meeting, in which I was not included. My audit senior explained to me what was transpiring, the bargaining process, and how this was common.

I submit in any form of big business it is impossible to succeed if you play by the rules because of widespread ethics breaches and corruption, and that this is common at THE TOP LEVEL, not at the worker bee level. What a sad commentary on ethics.

Having said that, I still maintain that almost all CPA tax preparers out there run their small business with integrity and would never compromise their license and livelihood to falsify an individual tax return. I know it happens, but infrequently, because it is just not worth the consequences to the sole proprietor or small partnership.

[TemekuT]

Allan, you’re absolutely correct about “playing ball” on the audit side. Remember, the CPA profession licensing is based on the attest function, not on tax prep, and the revenue stream derived from audits and consulting is huge, especially since the inception of Sarbanes-Oxley.

I lost my innocence as a first year staffer for one of the Big 8 when it came time to trade off issues at the final audit meeting, in which I was not included. My audit senior explained to me what was transpiring, the bargaining process, and how this was common.

I submit in any form of big business it is impossible to succeed if you play by the rules because of widespread ethics breaches and corruption, and that this is common at THE TOP LEVEL, not at the worker bee level. What a sad commentary on ethics.

Having said that, I still maintain that almost all CPA tax preparers out there run their small business with integrity and would never compromise their license and livelihood to falsify an individual tax return. I know it happens, but infrequently, because it is just not worth the consequences to the sole proprietor or small partnership.

[TemekuT]

Allan, you’re absolutely correct about “playing ball” on the audit side. Remember, the CPA profession licensing is based on the attest function, not on tax prep, and the revenue stream derived from audits and consulting is huge, especially since the inception of Sarbanes-Oxley.

I lost my innocence as a first year staffer for one of the Big 8 when it came time to trade off issues at the final audit meeting, in which I was not included. My audit senior explained to me what was transpiring, the bargaining process, and how this was common.

I submit in any form of big business it is impossible to succeed if you play by the rules because of widespread ethics breaches and corruption, and that this is common at THE TOP LEVEL, not at the worker bee level. What a sad commentary on ethics.

Having said that, I still maintain that almost all CPA tax preparers out there run their small business with integrity and would never compromise their license and livelihood to falsify an individual tax return. I know it happens, but infrequently, because it is just not worth the consequences to the sole proprietor or small partnership.

[TemekuT]

meandale, I looked up both Chris (licensee) and the firm on the State Board site and they are violation free and in good status. It sounds like they are working out for you and at a good rate. My point about the price was that it is not a flat rate, rather, it is driven by both the actual time (hourly fee) and the amount of schedules required, hence, the more complex the return, the greater the price. Perhaps I generally have been involved in preparation of more complex returns.

[TemekuT]

meandale, I looked up both Chris (licensee) and the firm on the State Board site and they are violation free and in good status. It sounds like they are working out for you and at a good rate. My point about the price was that it is not a flat rate, rather, it is driven by both the actual time (hourly fee) and the amount of schedules required, hence, the more complex the return, the greater the price. Perhaps I generally have been involved in preparation of more complex returns.

[TemekuT]

meandale, I looked up both Chris (licensee) and the firm on the State Board site and they are violation free and in good status. It sounds like they are working out for you and at a good rate. My point about the price was that it is not a flat rate, rather, it is driven by both the actual time (hourly fee) and the amount of schedules required, hence, the more complex the return, the greater the price. Perhaps I generally have been involved in preparation of more complex returns.

[TemekuT]

meandale, I looked up both Chris (licensee) and the firm on the State Board site and they are violation free and in good status. It sounds like they are working out for you and at a good rate. My point about the price was that it is not a flat rate, rather, it is driven by both the actual time (hourly fee) and the amount of schedules required, hence, the more complex the return, the greater the price. Perhaps I generally have been involved in preparation of more complex returns.

[TemekuT]

meandale, I looked up both Chris (licensee) and the firm on the State Board site and they are violation free and in good status. It sounds like they are working out for you and at a good rate. My point about the price was that it is not a flat rate, rather, it is driven by both the actual time (hourly fee) and the amount of schedules required, hence, the more complex the return, the greater the price. Perhaps I generally have been involved in preparation of more complex returns.

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