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Discussion:On my own

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ChrisV2 (talk|edits) said:

14 January 2014
I applied for an EFIN online and the system said I didn't need to provide fingerprints because I'm an EA. Then I called a couple of weeks later and the lady I spoke to said "you haven't provided fingerprints". I told her I was an EA and she said "oh that's probably ok then". Not a very warm fuzzy.

I hope it's true that I don't have to submit fingerprints only because I don't want this application delayed.

Anyway, I'm on my own now since my friend sold his tax firm. I had very little runway on this it happened very quickly in Nov/Dec.

Wish me luck :-) I have five clients already and am really hoping to have ten by the end of tax season. 100% growth. That's right, I am a marketing force to be reckoned with, I tell ya'.

EatonCPA (talk|edits) said:

14 January 2014
Good luck Chris!

JackTraffic (talk|edits) said:

15 January 2014
Good luck Chris. BTW you will have way more than 100% growth this tax season.

Oh, and don't price yourself too low... (That's not advice from anything at your website... just general advice to anyone starting out in this business...)

Gazoo (talk|edits) said:

16 January 2014
This was how I was taught to swim at the YMCA in the old days. They just threw us in the deep end stark naked and told us to swim. We were kept naked so that if we drowned, the undertaker didn't have to go to the trouble to undress us. Let me tell you, I learned how to swim quick, and I strongly advocate the old methods even today.

CathysTaxes (talk|edits) said:

16 January 2014
Good luck, Chris.

Joanmcq (talk|edits) said:

16 January 2014
I started the same way but I only had two clients. Make sure everyone you know knows you are a tax pro! You want believe just how easy it is to work it into a conversation.  :) Ask for referrals.

ChrisV2 (talk|edits) said:

17 January 2014
Thanks for the kind words, encouragement and pointers :-)


Yeah I know I have one service at a pretty low price-point, but it is cast within a very narrow range of requirements. I am trying to tell people that I'm an EA but I struggle with how to explain that in one or two sentences, or differentiate it from a registered tax preparer. I've read all the pointers on NAEA, etc. I think it's just a hard concept to explain to the average person. Bottom line is I believe the majority of people out there will consider a tax preparer based on referral rather than specs.

Joanmcq (talk|edits) said:

17 January 2014
I might just talk about, say at a party how it's the last hurrah until busy season hits. Person says, oh, what do you do? I say tax. Conversation ensues.

Make sure EVERYONE knows you are in business for yourself, and what you do. If they say they use TurboTax, offer to review their returns for free. If they go to Block, the same & you'll probably charge less (Block is expensive!). You never know where a prospective client will come from.

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