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camustaha
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Joined: January 17 2008
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Posted: January 12 2009 at 7:03pm \| IP Logged

I just got my CPA certificate and I have experience in the Government sector but no Tax experience since I did not work for a CPA Firm. I just open my own small CPA practice and I will be doing taxes this tax season but I am scared of getting really complex tax returns since I don’t have tax experience. Any advice or thoughts on my situation will be appreciated.

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clips2007
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Joined: November 03 2007
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Posted: January 13 2009 at 12:11am \| IP Logged

how would you get clients if you have no experience?

NewFloridaCPA!!
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Joined: December 21 2008
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Posted: January 13 2009 at 3:03pm \| IP Logged

Yeah, I'm a little surprised at this post. I thought usually you needed a fair amount of tax experience to start your own firm because otherwise, you'll run into too many situations where you won't know what to do on people's returns.

The CPA alone is an entry-level designation. Don't get me wrong, it's a big accomplishment but it seems like passing the CPA exam and learning how to do taxes are two different things.

Search for other posts by NewFloridaCPA!!

camustaha
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Joined: January 17 2008
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Posted: January 13 2009 at 5:23pm \| IP Logged

I agree with your comment. I have the CPA certificate and I want to do taxes but I don’t have the tax experience because in my current job I do accounting not Taxes. It will be nice if I am doing taxes in my Job but I am not.

If I start my practice I can do accounting for small businesses and taxes also for individuals but I am worried about the tax part since it can get complicated. I don’t want to quit my Job right now but at the same time I want to do taxes on the side. I am in a kind of dilemma and I though some one will offer advice.

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vivcpa
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Joined: November 10 2008
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Posted: January 13 2009 at 7:15pm \| IP Logged

camustaha wrote:

How good are you at preparing Individual tax return? Would you able to prepare all schedules for 1040 ( A,B,C,D,E)? What about Corporate and Partnership Tax returns? If you can do it than go ahead.

Dahlia1
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Joined: July 08 2008
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Posted: January 14 2009 at 2:03am \| IP Logged

I guess, you are going to use real tax returns and learn as you go. But you are going to sign them. You will be responsible for what you have done. Have you taken the ethics exam? Then you should know what will happen if you do something terribly wrong. I personally would not do it. I want to have my own practice but I got a job with a CPA firm right now and I am learning a lot. There is no way I could have done some serious work right now without any experience.

nacpa
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Joined: September 24 2008
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Posted: January 14 2009 at 10:04am \| IP Logged

Why don't start with volunteering? There is a IRS program named VITA which is designed to help low-income family file a tax return. You can take a test on line to get Tax Preparer Certification. I got books and took courses through the United Way. Check your local organization.

camustaha
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Joined: January 17 2008
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Posted: January 14 2009 at 10:42am \| IP Logged

I valued all your opinions. I think I can do individual returns and for some small business and I plan on researching and reading more tax textbooks and I will learn more as I go along since I am determine. I just wish that I do taxes at my current Job but I don’t. I also purchased the tax software and it is relatively not difficult to use and If I run in to a difficult return I can call IRS or ask other CPA’s who have experience with Tax.

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sanjucpa
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Joined: October 03 2007
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Posted: January 14 2009 at 5:34pm \| IP Logged

camustaha wrote:

I am in the same boat although I have tax experience. What software will be using in your practice. I am in the market for one. My BIG concentration is going to individual taxes since this is the first year.

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