Monday, June 5, 2023
SWAIM & ASSOCIATES
Accountants and Tax Advisors
Our firm provides our clients with highly professional and expert service at a fair and reasonable price. The services offered to our clients provide value and are of superior quality. Our services include the following deliverables but are not limited to a tax return and assistance with related notices, tax audits, accounting services, financial statements, letters, reports, meetings, emails, or phone calls.
What we Charge For – All we have to sell is our time and knowledge; we have no products to sell to you. We have spent many years becoming knowledgeable and educated in tax and accounting. In addition, we are required to continue our education annually to maintain our licenses. When you contact us, you need our knowledge and assistance with something. Time is money. This is why all of our time is billable.
Fees – We base our fees on time required at regular rates for the type of services and personnel assigned, plus out-of-pocket costs. We also consider the difficulty and size of the assignment, the degree of skill required, time limitations imposed on us by others, the experience and ability of the personnel assigned, the nature of the project, the level of cooperation by the client’s staff, and the value of the services to the client. We reserve the right to increase or decrease our fees based on the value of the services rendered. The minimum fee for preparing any tax return is $500.
Payment for Services – Payment is expected when invoices are presented. We accept checks or cash. Invoices will generally be prepared upon project completion and are due upon receipt. With larger projects, or projects that are delayed for any reason, we may issue progress invoices throughout the time services are provided. Invoices will be issued monthly for routine or ongoing services, such as bookkeeping or general consulting. We accept cash or checks. We reserve the right to suspend services if an account falls in arrears. All invoices are due on receipt.
Telephone conversations and emails – These are billed like any other time spent that we work on a client’s behalf. If matters of substance are discussed, the time is charged and billed to the client Phone calls or emails requiring research, business or personal planning, tax compliance, etc., will be billed in accordance with our billing policy. . Generally, but not always, at the rate of $200 per hour. Minimum charge is $50.
Cessation of Services –. We also reserve the right to cease further services until satisfactory payment arrangements are made. There is a $100 charge for bounced checks. If we stop work or withdraw from this engagement due to your failure to pay on a timely basis for services rendered, we shall not be liable for any damages resulting from our cessation of services. Clients with unpaid balances will generally be required to pay any past balances in full, and a retainer may be charged for future work. If, for any reason, the account is turned over to an attorney for collection, the costs of legal and professional services necessary to collect the balance due will be added to the account to cover our collection costs. If you have concerns about your bill, please contact our office regarding your circumstances.
Retainers – We may require a retainer fee paid upfront before work begins for some projects. This is standard practice for new clients, large projects, and one-time projects, such as preparing delinquent returns. Progress invoices will be issued monthly and are due in full until the project is completed, when the retainer is applied to the final bill, and any overage will be returned to the client.
While our fees are non-negotiable, we are happy to address any billing or pricing concerns you may have.