Looking for a CPA...

[David T.]

Hi, I’m currently living in Orange County, CA and would like to work with a real estate CPA to do my taxes and optimize/evaluate my tax returns from previous year. I’ve always done taxes by myself using TurboTax in the past, but I think it’s time I hand this process over to a CPA to get the most out of my tax return. I have 2 rentals: one in CA and one of state in an LLC. I have full time job with W2. I would like to work with a CPA for the long run, but I’m having difficulty finding one. I asked about Keystone CPA, but their fees are way too expense for me at the moment sInce I’m just starting out as a real estate Investor. I don’t mind working with a CPA via online, but I prefer to have a face-to-face. Any recommendations? Thank you in advance for all your help!

[Natalie Kolodij]

@Benjamin O'Brien 

Most CPA's/Tax pros who specialize in REI don't bill hourly.

It's a fairly antiquated method of billing and.....doesn't work at all for REI because like you said- you want to talk to them!

There's only so much to be done after the fact- you NEED to be able to communicate as you're making moves, planning, ect. 

I bet if you reached out to one of the Tax pro's here on BP who specialize in REI we could do a free review and likely find a few items/ savings your current guy missed.

Just please...please don't go to turbo tax. 

Oh- Also, don't take this the wrong way. But your quickbooks are only a time saver if they're accurate, correct books. 

If someone isn't a pro and has lots of items in incorrect categories, or the books need a few hours of clean up work...that's going to bump your bill to higher than if you didn't have QB at all.