Why Is This Taking So Long? CPA and Attorney, Pulling Back the Curtain - Thomas Bowen EP12

In this episode of The Tax Translator, Cecily Welch sits down with Tom Bowen, CPA and attorney, to answer a question many clients have probably wondered: What does your CPA actually do all day? Tom and Cecily unpack the work happening behind the scenes, from tracking down missing information and correcting bookkeeping problems to responding to IRS notices, preparing financial statements, and managing deadline-driven emergencies. They also explain how clients can make the CPA relationship more efficient and valuable by maintaining good records, communicating proactively, understanding the limits of DIY accounting technology, and treating their CPA as a member of their financial team rather than simply a tax-return preparer. 💡 What You’ll Learn • Why providing complete information upfront matters. When clients send documents piecemeal, CPAs repeatedly have to stop, restart, and reacquaint themselves with the work, increasing inefficiency for both the client and the firm. • Why accounting software is a tool, not a substitute for accounting knowledge. Technology can make accounting more efficient, but the underlying accounting rules still apply, and incorrect entries can ultimately make financial statements and tax returns unreliable. • How clients and CPAs can build a stronger professional relationship. Asking questions, respecting professional expertise, maintaining appropriate documentation, meeting deadlines, and recognizing when specialized expertise is needed can help both sides achieve a better outcome. 💬 Quote of the Episode “When you wait till year end and think you're only doing it for your accountant, you've missed opportunities the whole year to run your business.” —Thomas Bowen RESOURCES: Cecily Welch, CPA, The Accountant You Can Understand® https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilywelch/ https://cecilywelch.cpa/ This Week’s Guest: Thomas Bowen https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombowenatl/Th... Bowen, CPA https://bowencpa.net/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Subscribe to The Tax Translator ™ LinkedIn Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-t... Free "How to Work with your CPA Checklist" www.TheAccountantYouCanUnderstand.com Pre-Order Cecily's book: Your Accountant Is Full of $.H.I.T. Shortsighted, Hesitant, and Intimidated by Taxes at https://youraccountantisshit.com/