GILLINGHAM CPA INTRODUCTION VIDEO
Please see the following important video prior to or after booking a prospective client call and needs assessment. This can allow us to best focus our time on your specific situation. Covered: General services, framework, and common questions and a resource to revisit as needed.
Gillingham CPA
Introduction
Gillingham CPA, where we work to add value to our individual and business clients. We specialize in consulting, boot-strapped startups, pre-series A ventures, and stock option compensated employees. We take pride in providing services that go beyond just a tax return.Welcome to Gillingham CPA, where we work to add value to our individual and business clients. We generally do this by handling tax compliance, estimates, bookkeeping, and then on to advisory. You can see that in this general schematic here, how for many of our clients we’re looking to make a roadmap, set our goals and actions, calendar it, and look for our value ads across the various needs that people have.
When looking for an advisor, typically prospective clients want to know our areas of expertise, what we can do, how we do it, and yes, how much does it all cost. These points are addressed on our website, specifically our framework, fit, value added, costs, communication, and even billing policy pages.
So I invite you to take a look across the website once this is all over for whatever is of particular interest or concern for you. For over 10 years, our team has worked with mostly Bay Area clients receiving equity compensation, running a small business, or they’re even in the early seed stages of a startup.
Framework
Gillingham CPA serve seven categories of clients that often have intersecting needs, goals, and areas where we can add value.
For over 10 years, our team has worked with mostly Bay Area clients receiving equity compensation, running a small business, or they’re even in the early seed stages of a startup.
We can file in all states, corporations, LLCs, sole member LLCs, as well as multi -member partnerships, handle foreign tax matters, and even perform bookkeeping. We do advise on retirement plans such as IRAs, solo 401 Ks, and even super -sized Roth 401k planning.
We advise tax strategy of equity divestment in conventional RSUs, ISOs, and sense of stock options, real property, and other forms. We have significant experience with ISO exercise planning, strategy, but we do have a limited capacity given the niche nature of that work.
We also do complex tax work and with general high complexity investors owning real estate and have potential other income streams. We are not traditional financial advisors. We advise on the actual investment decisions.
We also limit the foreign tax complexity we take on. Generally our clients are in a growing stage of earnings. Company capitalization is generally less than 10 million and the average annual household earnings is typically in the 250 ,000 to 2 million range.
We do not perform trust and estate tax work. By narrowing our focus we strive to be the best for what we do. We also pride ourselves on referring to existing and prospective clients as needed to other CPAs, attorneys, financial advisors, mortgage brokers, et cetera, and do not take referral fees.
Fit
We take the phrase “client engagement” seriously. Rather than rush to sign every new client we interact with, we prefer to really consider if and how we can offer value first.
Even with our specific guidelines on who we work with, there is a strong cross -section between some households with diverse income streams. For example, it’s not uncommon to have clients that have been equity compensated, a startup founder, a real estate investor, and a consultant all within the same few years.
Cost
Gillingham CPA is not a fixed-fee operation because a fixed fee incentivizes rushed work. Our billing matrix features cost estimates for the most common scenarios. We will occasionally take on some smaller or larger projects, especially if in the early years of business.
The majority of the cost is compliance, or in other words, what the government requires us to do with tax filing. We also reserve a budget for projection work, planning, and advisory. This way, we are available for planning year round.
We need the solid foundation first, and then that extra budget to turn over any opportunities. At times, we have very significant savings opportunities, or quite often we are able to advise on other incremental beneficial strategies that could have compounding future benefits.
Billing Policy
We’ve summarized how we charge and what we expect from a mutually beneficial and long-lasting professional relationship. We strive to add value within the constraints of cost versus benefit
We are not a fixed fee firm, but carefully look to scope out projects for new clients and existing clients on request. Each tax year can bring significant variance. We are very diligent with billing and review post relevant correspondence and billing estimates.
If there are questions regarding this, we answer. If there is a rare issue, we will amicably resolve quickly. The goal is to derive the most value for the fees paid and ensure mutual efficiency. We want you to use your budget to strive towards advisory rather than waste some of it on inefficiency.
Workflow
Gillingham CPA workflow infographic consisting of 6 work steps. You’ll have an experienced advisor that uses your financial data to assist in communicating to your real-life or robotic team of advisors.
We are 100% remote and digital. Email forms the backbone of our communication along with secure document exchange. We strive to answer emails within two business days with a meaningful response or scheduled follow up.
At times, patients will be required as we need to continually order projects depending on deadlines and at times dollar value. Any major issue, just text the owner or manager after sending an email. Be sure to CC, carbon copy a few staff at all times to ensure good responsiveness. Finally, our automated booking link is our bat signal. Book meetings as needed or recommended.
Extension
What does an extension mean for me? Why Extend? you can find here detailed explanation about extension
It is important also to mention that around 80% of clients go on extension as often we are waiting on documents and information.
Should it be possible to finish by April 1st and documents are in Feb 15th, let’s go for it as an individual return. As a business return, we may have other clients who are not in the business. reasons to extend as well.
Since March 15th is a tall order for some, but we get it done for others. As a point of practicality, all of the work cannot get done in a few months, so extensions allow us to spread things out. This way, even if in busy season, we can still respond to emails, planning, and advisory requests.
Generally, around April 1, we strive to figure out how much money might be owed and to pay that in. Sometimes, we pay in a little bit extra to also help with the first quarter. This way, you are well paid in and there is no downside to extending.
Calendar
Gillingham CPA Calendar. Please see the generally most important dates for most of our clients.
We have clients populate their calendar. Calendar is a core tenant of our planning so that we can get things done and do not need to send you 30 emails a year. At one click, you may populate your calendar both with the individual and business planning dates, as well as payment deadlines.
Please reach out for planning and questions as needed as things change. When there are big legislative changes, we will often send a mass email, or should there be something very niche but highly impactful, we do strive to contact clients individually.
Conclusion
Gillingham CPA is a San Francisco CPA with a passion for helping clients grow their small businesses and navigate the tax waters.
Wow, that is a lot. Hopefully we have already taken off and this plane will be landing soon. In other words, hopefully that addresses most of the key points, as well as directs you to more detailed resources on our site.
Cutting through it all, we want to do a great job for you. For many years to come and to treat your work in a similar manner as we would treat our own. I’d like to view this opportunity to present the company less as a sales pitch and more of how we can work for you.
We look forward to connecting further, getting you in a positive direction, and if it is not a fit for now, hey, maybe it could be in the future. Have a nice day.