learn what other users had to say about

the Cost of Personal Accounting Services

Price 
Location 
Submitted by  
Description
$ 500
Mar 2007
Blue Bell, PA
Tax preparation services  more... close row
$ 500
Mar 2007
Forks, Washington
Expensive but adequate tax preparation  more... close row
$ 250
Feb 2008
Tustin, CA
Payment for preparing state and federal returns  more... close row
$ 510
Mar 2008
New York, NY
Long standing relationship with accountant  more... close row
$ 450
Mar 2008
Seattle, WA
State and Federal Tax Preparation for a 1099 Contractor  more... close row

Description of service

The accountant prepared my state tax forms for the first half of the year in California, as well as my federal tax forms. He used last year's return as a starting point, then gave me worksheets to fill out with this year's numbers, had a meeting where we reviewed the numbers, and finally he prepared the forms.


Review of Service

While the accountant is a really really nice guy, and was referred to me by a family member, he is also very close to retirement. Or, I hope he is. It's very frustrating to be charged by the hour for someone who appears to move and think so slowly.

This represents a 300% increase over what I paid for my taxes last year, and frankly, I'd have preferred to buy a plane ticket to fly to my old accountant for the same money.

The work, at least, seems to have been done accurately. Getting him to understand some of the nuances of the forms (being a art time resident of two different states last year) was a bit frustrating, but in the end, the numbers are roughly what I predicted and the effective tax rate was actually lower than last year, which is always a good sign.


Tips

Sometimes, even referrals from family members can go awry.

I'm still not sure if I plan to pursue this issue and try to get the amount reduced, or if I'll just suck it up and pay it. Clearly, I will go to someone else next year.


$ 150
Apr 2007
San Diego, CA
Personal tax filing and amendment  more... close row
$ 180
Mar 2007
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
E-filing taxes through a CPA  more... close row
$ 106
Mar 2006
Columbus, OH
Tax Accountant
Tax preparer made life much easier  more... close row
$ 125
Apr 2008
Myrtle Beach, SC
Preparing tax returns and reviewing old ones  more... close row
$ 175
Mar 2007
Clarksburg, WV
Accounting firm for tax return  more... close row
$ 120
Feb 2008
WIchita, KS
Accounting service for income taxes  more... close row
$ 125
Jan 2007
Northeast Arkansas
Local accounting service for income tax filing  more... close row
$ 115
Feb 2008
Richmond, MN
Possibly overcharged for tax preparation  more... close row