If your CPA relationship centers on required filings, you just might be missing out. Sure, you need to ensure timely, accurate compliance. But there isn't a lot of value for you in that. Beyond making the deadlines, you want to plan ahead to make sure that you minimize your tax liability, preserve financial flexibility and keep making progress towards your business and personal goals. This is true whether you are an owner of a closely-held business, a partner in a professional firm, a c-level employee or a professional athlete, artist or performer.
Services
Whether your financial concerns include a business or simply relate to ensuring your family's long-term security, you want to have confidence that you're making the right choices. Since the landscape seems to change so quickly-and, let's face it, so do your needs-the decisions you make today need to leave you in a good position for tomorrow, too.
Did you ever wish you had access to the expertise of a big accounting firm that could offer you sound advice on your finances in today's increasingly complex environment? You could hire a big accounting firm. But then the "access" part might not be so easy. So you might consider hiring us instead. We have been delivering personal service to closely held businesses, high net worth individuals, nonprofits and estates and trusts for decades. Our approach is very hands-on; we work hard to live up to our promise to be your most trusted business advisor.
In over 40 years as a business, financial and tax advisor, Alan has developed substantial expertise in almost every aspect of what it takes to make a business run-and what it takes to put personal finances on a secure footing. He routinely helps clients complete acquisitions, obtain financing, and structure deals to maximize value and reduce liabilities.
In dealing with people's finances, you've got to make them feel comfortable. Our approach isn't stuffy or arrogant-or anything like that of a stereotypical "bean-counter." We make it easy for our clients to tell us just about anything. For me it's personal. Sure, my business is about creating a support structure that my clients can rely on to help them make smart financial decisions.
Reviews (4)
Wendy Samuelson
Jun 25, 2020
David C.
Mar 12, 2019
They required a $5k engagement fee, then took about 5 months to do the work, including putting it on hold for weeks at a time, because they had more important work, in their own opinion. I needed the work done to allow my family to come into the country, so I thought my matter was pretty important. They wouldn't give me an estimate of costs, when I asked repeatedly. Then, they charged me $400 per hour for Steven Finkelstein, who the Managing Partner, David Mond described in his email as "my tax associate", which was inconsistent with the scale of costs in the costs agreement. Mond claimed that Finkelstein was actually "basically a partner", except Finkelstein has no title in his signature, and Mond does, so I was never put on notice about it.
The quality and speed of Finkelstein's work certainly didn't suggest partner level. I suspect that they charge individual customers whatever rates they think they can get away with. When I eventually got an itemised bill, I questioned paying a further $11k, and I was told they would stop working on my matter, which had delivered no value to that point.
This would have left my family stranded overseas. I have other complaints about them as well, but the summary is that I've never been so disappointed with a supposed certified professional organisation in my life. A representative from their professional indemnity insurance company relayed Mond's offer of $500 to make my complaints about their ethics and competence go away, which I found offensive. I have complained about their conduct to the AICPA.
The quality and speed of Finkelstein's work certainly didn't suggest partner level. I suspect that they charge individual customers whatever rates they think they can get away with. When I eventually got an itemised bill, I questioned paying a further $11k, and I was told they would stop working on my matter, which had delivered no value to that point.
This would have left my family stranded overseas. I have other complaints about them as well, but the summary is that I've never been so disappointed with a supposed certified professional organisation in my life. A representative from their professional indemnity insurance company relayed Mond's offer of $500 to make my complaints about their ethics and competence go away, which I found offensive. I have complained about their conduct to the AICPA.
Dan B.
Jun 20, 2016
A few years before she joined this firm, Nancy Adams (who was then with a different firm but is now a Principal at Adelman Katz & Mond) really screwed up my taxes. I'm a freelance TV producer and trusted Nancy to handle my taxes for federal, the state of New York and the state of Massachusetts (I had worked part of the previous year in MA). She completely failed to submit my tax return to the state of Massachusetts, for which I was owed a refund of nearly $600.
Then six years went by, with me having not thought about it, until this past January when I received a bill from the MA Dept of Revenue for the nearly $2000 in taxes they still thought I owed. Upon investigation, I found out the tax return Nancy had filled out and had me sign. she never sent. When I contacted her about this, she became defensive and angry instead of admitting her mistake and working with me to solve the problem.
I had to do most of the work to contact them and solve the problem. It turned out the statute of limitations was 3 years, so I'll never get that refund I was owed. Plus I had to spend weeks dealing with a mess - including the state of MA levying $2000 from my bank account, and then having to wait for them to pay me that money back, once they finally received my tax forms 6 years later. I can't testify to this accounting firm's work other than my experience with Nancy, but I was very disappointed working with her.
Then six years went by, with me having not thought about it, until this past January when I received a bill from the MA Dept of Revenue for the nearly $2000 in taxes they still thought I owed. Upon investigation, I found out the tax return Nancy had filled out and had me sign. she never sent. When I contacted her about this, she became defensive and angry instead of admitting her mistake and working with me to solve the problem.
I had to do most of the work to contact them and solve the problem. It turned out the statute of limitations was 3 years, so I'll never get that refund I was owed. Plus I had to spend weeks dealing with a mess - including the state of MA levying $2000 from my bank account, and then having to wait for them to pay me that money back, once they finally received my tax forms 6 years later. I can't testify to this accounting firm's work other than my experience with Nancy, but I was very disappointed working with her.
Paul W.
Mar 17, 2016
