FAQ
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General Information
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What services do you offer?
Click here to view our services page.
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What are your office hours and contact information?
Click here to view our contact page.
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How can I schedule an appointment?
Call us at 336-227-1495 or email administration@cel-cpa.com to make an appointment.
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What should I bring to my first consultation?
Last year’s tax return, completed tax organizer, any documents detailing your income as well as tax deductible expenses, IRS notices, and your K-1 if you own a business.
Tax Services
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What documents do I need to file my taxes?
W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, 1095, K-1.
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How can I check the status of my tax refund?
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What are the deadlines for filing taxes?
Individuals: April 15
C-Corporation: Generally, a corporation must file its income tax return by the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of its tax year. However, a corporation with a fiscal tax year ending June 30 must file by the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of its tax year.
S-Corporation: 15th day of the third month after the close of your FYE
LLC: varies, depending on the structure of the LLC
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Can I pay my taxes online?
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What should I do if I can’t pay my taxes on time?
Contact the IRS about an online payment plan or installment agreement.
Accounting and Bookkeeping
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What is the difference between accounting and bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping focuses on recording and organizing financial data, including tasks such as invoicing, billing, payroll and reconciling transactions.
Accounting is the interpretation and presentation of that financial data, including aspects such as tax returns, auditing and analyzing performance.
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How often should I update my financial records?
You should update your financial records monthly.
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What accounting software do you recommend?
There are several great options available, each offering different features. The best accounting software for your business depends on your specific needs and preferences.
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Can you help with payroll services?
Yes, view our full list of accounting solutions here.
Business Services
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How can you help my business with financial planning?
We offer detailed financial analysis to assess your business’s health, strategic budget planning to align with your financial goals, and tax planning and compliance to maximize savings and ensure adherence to regulations. Additionally, we provide financial forecasting to set realistic goals and cash flow management to maintain liquidity and support your business needs.
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What are the benefits of outsourcing accounting services?
Some of the benefits of outsourcing your accounting services are access to expertise, scalability, compliance and risk management, advanced technology, enhanced data security, and timely and accurate reporting.
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How do you handle business tax preparation?
We ask that you gather your business’ financial information and then we will review and organize your records. Using this information, we will prepare your business return and file them online, ensuring that all deadlines are met. We also offer valuable tax advice to help you make informed financial decisions and plan for the future.
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What advice do you have for new business owners?
Here is some of our advice for new business owners:
- Choose the Right Business Structure
- Develop a Solid Business Plan
- Understand Your Tax Obligations
- Implement Effective Bookkeeping Practices
- Identify and Plan for Deductions
- Monitor Cash Flow
- Keep Complete Records and Documentation of Business Income and Expenses
Audit and Assurance
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What is an audit, and do I need one?
An audit is a systematic, independent examination of financial statements, processes, or systems to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. Contact us today to discuss whether an audit is right for your business.
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How long does an audit typically take?
Generally, some audits can be completed in a few weeks, while other may take several months.
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What should I expect during an audit?
There are several key phases to an audit: We will sit down and discuss the scope, your business, and review your policies and procedures. Then we will test and verify your financial records and account balances. Lastly, we will prepare reports and review our findings and recommendations with you.
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What are the different types of audits?
There are financial audits, operational audits, compliance audits, and IT audits.
Fees and Billing
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What are your fees?
Individuals: (Form 1040) Our minimum fee is $1200 for standalone individual income tax returns and a single state filing.
Business: (Forms 1120, 1120S, and 1065) Our minimum fee is $2500 for partnership and corporate income tax returns with a single state filing.
Nonprofit: (Forms 990 and 990PF) Our minimum fee is $1750.
Small Business Accounting and Tax Services: Small business bookkeeping and reconciliation service is a minimum of $750 per month.
Final billed fees will depend on complexity and the quality of your accounting records.
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What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, checks, cash, and ACH debits.
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Do you offer payment plans?
Yes, our partnership with QuickFee Financing enables you to pay over 3-12 months to cover the cost of your invoice.
Miscellaneous
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How do you ensure the confidentiality of my financial information?
We use Sharefile and SafeSend to protect transmitted electronic data and use robust security software to safeguard our systems.
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What are the qualifications of your staff?
While many of our team members are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), we also have professionals with extensive experience in various areas of accounting and finance.
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How do you stay updated with the latest tax laws and regulations?
We stay up to date through attending Continuing Professional Education, membership in Professional Associations, reading Industry Publications, and utilizing Online Resources and Tools.
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Can you provide references or testimonials from other clients?
Please contact us at administration@cel-cpa.com for references.
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How long should I keep old tax returns?
We recommend that your keep all tax returns and supporting documents for 7 years.