*Note: CPAs may specialize in different areas. Be sure to check credentials and service offerings.*
If this is your first time working with a CPA, don’t worry — most professionals offer a free consultation and will walk you through what to expect. You may be asked to complete an intake form, share financial documents, or set clear goals for your session.
*Note: Every CPA operates a bit differently. Don’t hesitate to ask questions before committing.*
*Tip: Organize your documents in advance to save time and ensure accuracy.*
*Note: Preparation helps you make the most of your CPA’s expertise.*
*Note: Every CPA is different — take time to find one who fits your goals and style.*
2937 E Grand Blvd Ste 313
Detroit, Michigan 48202
I cannot recommend my accountant highly enough! Her dedication and support have been truly exceptional. Not only do she provide top-notch financial services, but they also go above and beyond by traveling to support her clients and attending events when invited. Her willingness to be present and available is incredibly reassuring. Moreover, she is an attentive listener, always ensuring she fully understand my needs and concerns before offering tailored solutions. This personalized approach has made a signi
Mary and her team have been amazing! She has been working with me since the start of my business and her advice + support can't be match - they are that good! I'm so grateful that I found Mary and I look forward to a long partnership as I continue to grow my business. If you are a small business looking for the best advice, support, direction, and execution from an accounting expert - this team is the PERFECT partner. I can't say enough amazing things.
Mary and her team have helped to take the burden from our minds about finances. From business to personal, they do it all and we have the peace of mind that it is being done properly, and on time! An added bonus, she helps elevate other women and minority owned small businesses to ensure that they are able and capable of scaling and helping to direct them as they grow. So glad we met and work together!
I've worked with Mary and her team for the last few years. Not only have they found ways for our businesses to be compliant, get much needed funding, and helped save thousands in taxes, they've been just a pleasure to work with. I recommend Equitable Accounting whenever I can.
I've been a client of Equitable Accounting Solutions, for both my small business partnership and personal taxes (for the past two years), and I couldn't be more satisfied. Mary Barton , CPA is not only quick and thorough but leaves no stone unturned when it comes to our financial matters. Equitable Accounting Solutions' use of technology through their business portal provides a secure environment to share our personal information. What truly sets Mary Barton and Equitable Accounting Solutions apart is the
Everyone at Equitable Accounting has been great and very helpful in all aspects (taxes, bookkeeping, onboarding employees, and more). I couldn't be more pleased! Thanks!
Mary is extremely knowledgeable, approachable and thorough. She helped our family navigate a complicated tax situation after adding a member of the family and a small business in an already complicated tax year. She really took the time to work with us on understanding our deductions and necessary documentation, which set us up to be in better shape in the coming years. On top of her obvious expertise, we always felt like humans talking to another human. It really was a wonderful experience and we look forw
Mary is a phenomenal CPA! We have been working with Mary since 2020. Communication is very important to me, and Mary is very responsive. She also doesn't have a one size fits all approach. She is able to provide customized packages for her clients. She also remembers the small details about her clients which makes the experience even better. If you're considering a CPA, please consider Mary.
We love working with Mary. She is excellent in customer service, care and appreciation. She humanizes this practice, especially because money/accounting/taxes can be daunting. On top of this, my tax return got back to me super fast last year. Love that and so grateful to have found her.
I absolutely LOVE my CPA!!!!! After talking with a number of potential accountants, I was SO grateful to find Mary! She is incredible at learning about you as a client, and actually helped steer me in a wonderfully positive direction with my business. Mary is as professional and genuine as they come. Call Equitable Accounting Solutions! :)
We worked with Mary, who is so professional and caring. She has helped us through our personal taxes, as well as setting up the accounting for our new business. I feel like she genuinely cares that my business is set up for success. I'm glad to have her on my side.
Mary is wonderful to work with! I have financial and tax anxiety from previous experiences, and Mary was understanding and thorough. She answers questions clearly, works with you, and asks the right questions. I highly recommend Mary for your CPA needs and looking forward to continuously working together!
Equitable Accounting Solutions has been able to promptly provide accounting services. The accountant I work with is patient in answering my questions and was extremely helpful navigating the troubles filing taxes for my fathers estate. Will gladly use their services in the future.
I have a little more complicated filing situation and Mary and her team have kept on top of all the dates, complexities, and filing statuses to make everything smooth and clean. My questions are answered promptly, and I've felt supported and informed every step of the way. Excellent firm, will be using Equitable for my tax needs as long as I can!
Mary has made me feel so supported while navigated the bookkeeping and tax filing for my small business. I started working with her during my first year as a business owner and I am so grateful that I did. If you're looking for someone reliable, responsive, and knowledgeable, you've found it.
Mary at Equitable Accounting Solutions has been by far the best accountant we have ever worked with. She's made confusing processes simple, and ensures that you always have all of your questions answered (in an incredibly timely fashion). Her wealth of knowledge for both nonprofits and small businesses makes it a no-brainer to recommend to everyone that is asking for accounting help!
Tax season can always be stressful, and this was the first time I didn't feel that way! Mary was wonderful, responsive and extremely informative. She happily answered any questions I had before, during and after. I highly recommend if you're looking for a CPA you can trust to help you navigate your business needs.
Exceptional service and really personalized attention to everything that our business has needed! Would recommend Mary and her amazing team at Equitable Accounting Solutions to anyone wanting the best!
I love working with Mary Barton! She has completely changed my relationship to doing taxes and running my business. I was anxious about making sure I was doing everything right and Mary listened, helped me get organized, and filed my personal and business taxes perfectly. Not only does Mary know what she?s doing, she is timely with her responses, attentive to detail, kind and reassuring. I highly recommend her to anyone in need of a CPA.
Mary Barton helped me just in time! She was professional, considerate and understanding of my situation. I work as a freelancer so the paperwork can be daunting but she went through everything, sent me what I needed and put me back on track. Extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
Equitable accounting was my first opportunity to work with a CPA. The responsive communication, professional and knowledgable approach, as well as speed of filing, receipt of refund are a few among many reasons I would definitely recommend Equitable Accounting Solutions to anyone seeking accounting services. Additionally, choosing a woman and minority owned business aligns with supporting economic prosperity in my community. Would absolutely utilize services again for the next tax season!
Our second year using EAS and each experience is better than the last. Mary is the most helpful in every way, and makes something as stressful as filing taxes a BREEZE! I cannot recommend their services enough! Five stars!!
Mary has prepared my family?s city, state and federal tax returns for the past 2 years and both times have been great experiences. From her prompt responses to the convenience of uploading documents to the portal, she didn?t miss a beat in the process. She has also given our family valuable financial advice on ways to reduce our taxable income. She is such a joy to interact with and all around great person. I highly recommend her!
I have been working with Mary and her team for years and so appreciate their response time, steady hand, graceful approach, and financial wisdom. Highly recommend!
Mary Barton and her team are the accounting and financial partners you want in your corner as a business owner. Their expertise allows me to feel at ease about my finances, so I can focus my energy solely on my business.
It was a pleasure working with Mary for my tax and accounting services. She goes above and beyond to ensure her clients receive top value for their financial needs. She clearly explains the process and provides you with the confidence to know your taxes and financial services are handled in the best manner! I would highly recommend Equitable Accounting Solutions for your financial needs.
Mary is so knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. The user interface was so intuitive and easy to securely upload documents and even chat, definitely made this year's taxes a breeze!
BEST CPA THUS FAR!!! PERIOD. Mary was a DREAM to work with. I owned a small online business and had received a very large (IMO) sales tax bill OUT OF NOWHERE that I knew I couldn't afford to pay. I went searching for CPAs who can help. After reading reviews, I came across Mary's site. Soon after I reached out to her, and she got back to me and set up a virtual meeting. During our meeting, I noticed immediately how warm and understanding she was. She promised to help me get to the bottom of the sales tax bi
Mary is wonderful! I work independently in a few different industries and she makes filing taxes super easy. She explains everything very clearly and is quick to respond with any questions you may have. I am so happy I found her two years ago, because I don't stress about tax season anymore.
I wholeheartedly guarantee you?ll never want to work with anyone else once you experience the magic of Equitable Accounting Solutions! Mary is truly a gift to the world. Her support, professionalism, knowledge, and skills are second to none. Her financial talents and knowledge of best practices led to my business to being featured in New York Magazine?s The Cut! Look nowhere else- Equitable Accounting Solutions is IT!
As a still kinda starting-up solopreneur w/a microbiz, this was my first time hiring an accountant ? I am so glad I found Mary & co. From the initial consult-call to the final filing, I experienced nothing but warmth & professionalism. Highly recommend!
First, let me start off by saying that working with Equitable Accounting has been "one of the best decisions" to date for my business! Like so many entrepreneurs, running a business can be daunting, add in bookkeeping, tax returns, budgets, month-end reports, etc, and before you know it, you're no longer running the business, the business is running you. After the pandemic hit and not quite sure if I would still have a business, I made the committment that if we survive. we would get the help needed to
Mary and her team are just THE BEST. They're not judgmental, very strategic, and fair. I trust them with my business and look forward to working with them for many years.
Mary B was a pleasure to work with. She was kind, patient and did an awesome job helping me with my issues in an timely manner.
Mary is amazing to work with. Her attention to detail is impeccable. Her professionalism second to none. I?m so appreciative for her approach, her time and attentiveness.
Mary is an expert that makes tax season easy. Working with her was a lovely experience and I plan to see her next year!
Working with Mary was great and easy! She's so smart and helpful. Happy to continue to work with her for years to come.
Mary is WONDERFUL. Taxes and keeping my books makes my head spin and cry in the corner and she just makes it so easy for me to keep track of all this stuff. I would be lost this tax season without her.
The service that I received was great. I was able to send all my documents without coming in person. Everything was completed online. If I had any questions I could send them a message and they will respond in a timely manner. The only thing that I was concern about was not able to talk to a person more. It worked out though.
Mary is very professional and her expertise is quite admirable . My experience with her has been unmatched!
Even though I took forever to get everything that was needed, they surpassed all expectations- was so thorough and yet quick!!! A pleasure to work with.
Very satisfied with the tax services received.
Look for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, which ensures they’ve passed rigorous exams and meet state requirements. Check for relevant experience in your industry, additional certifications like CFA or CMA, and membership in professional organizations like the AICPA. Verify their credentials through state licensing boards.
Use online directories like the AICPA, CPAverify, or state CPA societies. Search platforms like Yelp or Google for local CPAs with reviews. Ask for referrals from business associates, friends, or financial advisors. Local chambers of commerce can also provide recommendations.
A CPA is a licensed professional who has passed the CPA exam and met state requirements for education and experience. An accountant may lack this certification and could have varying levels of expertise. For complex tasks like tax audits or financial reporting, a CPA is typically more qualified.
Ask about their experience with your specific financial needs, such as tax preparation, small business accounting, or estate planning. Review their website or LinkedIn for case studies or client testimonials. Inquire about their client base to ensure they handle similar financial situations.
Yes, reviews provide insight into a CPA’s reliability, communication, and performance. Check platforms like Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau for client feedback. Look for patterns in reviews, but verify their authenticity, as some may be biased or outdated.
Visit your state’s Board of Accountancy website or use CPAverify.org to check a CPA’s license status. Confirm their license is active and check for any disciplinary actions or complaints. This ensures they’re in good standing and meet professional standards.
Ask about their experience with your financial needs, fee structure, availability, and communication style. Inquire how they handle tax filings, audits, or financial planning. Ask for references or examples of similar work to assess their expertise and fit.
Fees vary based on location, services, and complexity. Basic tax preparation may cost $150-$500, while business accounting or audits can range from $1,000 to $10,000+. Request a detailed fee structure upfront and compare quotes from multiple CPAs.
Yes, many CPAs offer remote services through secure online platforms for document sharing and virtual consultations. Ensure they use encrypted tools for data security. Remote CPAs can be effective if they understand your local tax laws or business regulations.
During consultations, evaluate their ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly. Ask sample questions about taxes or financial strategies and note their responsiveness and clarity. Good communication ensures you understand their advice and fosters a productive relationship.
Beware of CPAs who guarantee specific tax refunds, lack a valid license, or have disciplinary actions on record. Avoid those with poor communication, vague fee structures, or negative reviews highlighting unethical behavior. Always verify their credentials independently.
Large firms offer more resources and specialized teams but may charge higher fees. Solo practitioners often provide personalized service and lower costs but may have limited availability. Choose based on your needs, budget, and preference for personalized attention.
For individuals, annual meetings for tax preparation may suffice. Businesses may need quarterly or monthly check-ins for bookkeeping, tax planning, or financial reporting. Discuss your needs upfront to establish a meeting schedule that aligns with your financial goals.
Yes, many CPAs handle both, but confirm their expertise in both areas. Ask about their experience managing personal taxes and business accounting simultaneously. Ensure they can balance both without compromising attention to your specific financial needs.
Discuss concerns directly with your CPA to resolve issues. If unresolved, check your contract for termination terms. Seek a new CPA by researching reviews, credentials, and referrals. Request your financial records to ensure a smooth transition to a new professional.