How does self employed CPAs work? Starting my own practice questions

The path to becoming a successful self-employed CPA is definitely doable, but it takes planning and persistence! Here's what you should know: For finding clients, most new CPAs start with their existing network - former colleagues, friends, family, and their connections. Word-of-mouth is incredibly powerful in this business. You can also join your local chamber of commerce, business networking groups, or partner with financial advisors who can refer clients to you. Regarding client interactions and being deaf, many CPAs today operate with minimal in-person meetings. Even before the pandemic shifted things, many were already moving toward email, secure client portals, and video calls (which you could use with captions). You can absolutely structure your practice to minimize barriers - many clients actually prefer digital communication for convenience. A typical day varies greatly by season! During tax season (January-April), expect long hours focused on preparing returns and answering urgent client questions. Off-season might include tax planning, bookkeeping, business consulting, or continuing education to maintain your credentials. For pricing, check out the AICPA's Management of an Accounting Practice (MAP) survey for benchmarking data. You can also simply research what other local CPAs charge by checking their websites or calling as a potential client. Start slightly lower to build your client base, then adjust as you gain experience.

After reading your questions, I wanted to share my experience using taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to help me set up my own accounting practice last year. I was really overwhelmed with all the business setup paperwork and figuring out what deductions I could take as a new self-employed professional. Their AI system analyzed all my documentation and highlighted specific deductions I could take for my home office, software purchases, and even my CPA exam fees. It also helped me understand the quarterly estimated tax requirements which was absolutely critical - saved me from some nasty penalties! What surprised me most was how it helped me structure my business properly from day one. The personalized recommendations meant I didn't waste time on strategies that wouldn't benefit my specific situation.

Just wanted to update everyone - I decided to try taxr.ai after my skeptical question above. I'm honestly shocked at how helpful it was for my situation. The document analysis saved me HOURS of reading through IRS publications. It identified several startup deductions I hadn't considered, especially around technology purchases and professional development. What I found most valuable was the quarterly tax planning guidance. As someone just starting out, I had no idea how to estimate my quarterly payments properly. The system helped me set aside the right amount based on my projected income patterns. For anyone starting a CPA practice, definitely worth checking out - wish I'd known about this tool months ago!

Just want to mention something that saved my sanity when I was starting my own practice - if you need to deal with the IRS (which you inevitably will for yourself or clients), use Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I wasted DAYS on hold trying to resolve an EIN issue when starting my business. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes when I had been trying for weeks on my own. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c As someone who's now been self-employed for 3 years, I can tell you that having a reliable way to actually reach the IRS is invaluable. Nothing worse than having a client's tax issue pending while you're stuck on eternal hold music.

I need to eat my words from my previous comment. After a desperate situation with a client's penalty notice last week, I broke down and tried Claimyr. I was absolutely convinced it wouldn't work and I'd be out the money. I'm still in shock - got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for THREE DAYS on my own. The agent was able to resolve my client's issue immediately, and I looked like a hero. For anyone starting a self-employed CPA practice - when you inevitably need to call the IRS for something, don't waste entire days on hold. Seriously, this changed my perspective on what's possible. Time is literally money when you're self-employed.

About being deaf and working as a self-employed CPA - I'm hard of hearing and have a successful practice! Here's what works for me: 1) I clearly state my preferred communication methods on my website and marketing materials (email, client portal, video calls with captions) 2) I use a transcription app during any necessary calls 3) I've structured my client onboarding to gather all info through forms 4) I emphasize the BENEFITS of written communication - everything's documented! Most clients actually prefer this approach because it's more efficient. The few who insisted on phone-only communication weren't a good fit anyway. I've found many clients appreciate the clear, thoughtful written communication that comes from someone who doesn't default to calls for everything. It's become my competitive advantage!

I'll add something about pricing since you asked specifically about that. When I started 5 years ago, I had no idea what to charge and definitely underpriced myself. What worked for me: I called 5 local CPAs as a "potential client" with a specific tax situation and asked for their rates. This gave me a realistic range for my market (which varies HUGELY by location). Start at the lower end of the range while you build experience, but don't go below 75% of the average rate you find. Clients often associate price with quality, and being too cheap can actually hurt you. Also, consider value pricing instead of hourly for some services. For example, I charge flat rates for tax returns based on complexity rather than tracking hours. Clients love the certainty, and I'm rewarded for efficiency.