What I see in my firm -- our firm -- is dedication to
offering value. Our clients get accurate books, timely compilations
, tax-efficient
planning, personalized service, and a consistent, responsive accounting and administration
staff.
These services should not be difficult to offer at reasonable accounting rates, and
yet, I have found through my personal employment experience and the horror stories of our
new clients that this just isn't the case.
Do you ever wonder what some accounting firms include in their billing? As an
accounting firm employee, I was often asked to charge clients for the time that was spent
while searching for their phone numbers and files, or for even re-doing year-end adjusting
entries. In our firm, we know that all of these billings are unnecessary with efficient
databases, current filing systems, and regimented year-end entries.
We have had new clients come to us who were frustrated by months of time delays on
their compilations reports and had left their previous CPAs in a state of distress. In one
of these cases, our firm was able to complete five delinquent compilations
and a
current report; all in the same amount of time that their previous CPA was able to
complete only one compilation. We continue to achieve these type of results because we
utilize the best technology, along with efficient administration.
As an employee of other CPA firms, I was often frustrated by the inefficiencies that
occur in the accounting industry. I began this business part-time seven years ago with the
knowledge that contemporary databases, current filing systems, and the establishment of
long-term relationships with clients and employees came naturally to me. During the days
of operating the business as a team of one, the firm of Jean DeKraker, CPA, catered to
1040 returns and basic bookkeeping support. Every year of the first six years our practice
grew -- the workload, the number of clients, and the gross revenues doubled, and all the
while, our professional team was forming and developing.
Our clients now include multi-million dollar entities, multi-state corporations, and
affluent individuals. Our estate tax department has been nationally recognized, and our
foundation and goals remain the same -- efficient and effective accounting services and
long-term productive relationships with our clients and employees.
Jean
