How to Find the Right CPA or Attorney

Question

Hello everyone,

I run two companies in the Richmond, Virginia area. One company is a property investment company, and the other company is a professional services firm (Architecture and Engineering). They are both side projects now and I run them while working full time for another company as an engineer. However, my 'side projects' are picking up very quickly. Last year was my first tax year for the AE business, and we really did not have much cash flow, so I handled the taxes myself.

This new year, the AE company's revenues have already exceeded six figures, and the real estate investment company is working on its second (potentially third) deal.

Needless to say, I am going to need a tax professional and a legal professional with experience in real estate and professional AE services. Does such a thing exist? Are there other people in a similar situation? I'm looking for ideas on how to find the right professional with the right experience. How do you start this hunt? Just looking for some advice or clever strategies to make sure I start off on the right foot!

Thank you,

Kenny

Jon Deavers · Answer

Hi @Kenneth Shultz

I can make two solid referrals for an attorney and a CPA.

@Sean Tluchak and his firm have closed dozens of deals for me and he is very knowledgeable and investor friendly. They operate a great team over there.

The CPA is a client of mine who specializes in working with local business owners for developing tax strategies and may be a great fit. He isn't on BP to my knowledge so feel free to send me a PM or colleague request and I'll pass along his info.

Best of luck!

Brandon Hall · Answer

@Kenneth Shultz first off, congrats on the growth. That's awesome and I hope you continue to crush it.

I'd definitely suggest a real estate CPA for the PM company. For the services company, it's less important for the CPA to have niche knowledge of the industry. Why? Because you are selling a service based product. CPAs also sell service based products so they are inherently knowledgeable about service based businesses.

Now, I'd still look around for a CPA firm that's in the architectural space as they will have a large network you can probably tap into, but it sounds like you are already doing a great job of that yourself.