From buying homes to working with accountants and drafting wills and everything in between, adulting can be hard so we thought why not make it a little easier. This series taps into the knowledge of the professionals who help with all of these tasks to get their tips and advice on how to work with them most efficiently.
Joshua Hendell
Occupation: Certified Professional Accountant (CPA)
Company: Siegel & Hendell CPAs / Locations in Smithtown, NY and West Orange, NJ
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR YOUR CLIENTS?
We provide Accounting, Tax and general financial guidance for both businesses and individuals. The services depend on the particular needs of the client. Some business clients tend to need more services than others usually depending on the size of the business. For accounting services, we provide bookkeeping services as well as review and audit services including preparation of financial statements, business tax returns and reports required from outside parties.
WHAT SHOULD CLIENTS BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS WHEN THEY MEET WITH YOU?
An overview of their particular situation whether it be business or personal. Items to be discussed are what the client’s accounting and tax needs are based on their current circumstances and/or how to go about meeting those needs from both inside and outside of the client’s organization.
HOW CAN A CLIENT BEST ORGANIZE THEMSELVES BEFORE THE MEETING TO BE MOST EFFICIENT WITH YOUR TIME?
I prefer to review two years of tax returns and/or other financial information before meeting with the client as this usually makes for a much more productive meeting. Reviewing those documents tell us a lot about their situation and enable us to prepare more pointed questions at our meeting. In a case where the client prefers to bring these documents to an initial meeting versus sending them in advance, they should be prepared to answer questions about their past returns as well as their current situation especially if that differs from current circumstances.
IN TERMS OF PAPERWORK, WHAT SHOULD THEY PREPARE BEFORE THE MEETING?
Basically two years of business/personal income tax returns, financial statements and any other reporting that they have been required to complete over the last two years. In addition they should bring any paperwork involving any issues out of the norm that they would like to discuss such as a change in their job or status (married, divorced, new parent).