With tools such as TurboTax and TaxCut many small businesses owners attempt to file their business tax themselves rather than pay a tax professional. And for most they are able to accomplish the task error free enough not to get audited. Mission accomplished right? WRONG! Tax laws are constantly changing, and in order to stay within the guidelines and maximize your tax benefits you need a knowledgeable professional that can work alongside you. I have worked with Shawn Miller of Financial Freedom Tax Group since 2005 when FFTG first opened its doors; first on my personal taxes and now on both business and personal. Although Shawn is a personal friend of mine I still did not blindly trust his abilities. The first 2 or 3 years I used software to give myself a “second opinion” and validate his effectiveness. Not only does Shawn maximize my refund he advises me throughout the year on what I should be tracking and the most “tax effective” ways to run my business.
PITCH! Financial Freedom Tax Group specializes in the preparation of small business income taxes. Regardless of the entity (Sole Proprietorship, LLC, or Corporation) our staff is fully capable in meeting your tax preparation needs while provide critical guidelines to ensure that you are receiving your full tax benefit for your company.
What key piece of advice would you give to other business owners?
Building relationships is a great asset to any business. Once you have built strong relationships your company can now reap the benefits of those relationships. These benefits can include but is not limited to capital, advice, new contacts, and the additional power of word of mouth.
What question do your customers ask most often? And how do you answer?
One of the main concerns potential clients have for me deals with my experience. My Answer: I have over 12 years of tax accounting and management experience. I was introduced to the tax accounting field through my internship in undergrad and from there I have been fortunate to have manage and run two separate companies with a total of 8 offices under my responsibility. Most importantly I am a firm believer in continued education. I use between 4-7 months out of my year in which I focus on tax research, seminars, and attending tax classes.
How do you define success?
Success is not the ability to gain new clients; it is the ability to create long lasting client relationships. It is important to me to keep my clients returning back for my services year after year.
Why did you start your business?
After spending years working for Corporate America and various Franchises, I envisioned myself successfully providing a more quality product to consumers, while tapping into the limitless potential as an entrepreneur.
Does the name of your business have a significant meaning? If so describe.
Yes, it is everyone’s desire to reach “Financial Freedom”….this is my hope and I am reminded each time I hear my company’s name. Also, I am expanding my scope of operation from tax to business start up, book keeping, and tax planning. Therefore I chose to go with “Tax Group” instead of Tax Company to signify the various aspects of the company.
What separates your business from the competition?
I continue to take pride in the knowledge that I bring to the table when serving my clients. I am constantly attending seminars and update schools to ensure that I have the best knowledge available for those seeking my services for their income tax needs.
What and or who inspires you?
What inspires me is the ability for the generation that I am apart of to achieve higher ground on the blood, sweat, and tears of those before us. Better still, the generations coming behind us will benefit even further.
What book, website, or blog (besides your own) do you recommend to other small business owners?
I believe that you have to be able to sell yourself, so my favorite books are dealing with speaking and networking. “Little Black Book of Connections” by Jeffrey Gitomer, “The Fine Art of Small Talk” by Debra Fine and “Little Green Book of Getting Your Way” by Jeffrey Gitomer.
What is your “must have” software, app, resource or tool for running your business?
Well, as a professional tax accountant I need a tax software that resembles this. I use Drake Software; this is professional tax software in which all my tax and book keeping needs are met for my clients. I also use “The Tax Book” as my quick reference guide to tax situations, and I love using email blasts as a form of marketing.
To contact Financial Freedom Tax Group:
Shawn D. Miller, Sr. Tax Accountant/Acceptance Agent
Financial Freedom Tax Group
770.803.0802
