*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.*
1200 TX-276
West Tawakoni, Texas 75474
Thank you Lakeside Tax and Bookkeeping, for your many years of service!! I first met Staci in 2005 through a trusted friend?s referral, simply looking for a tax consultant. Nearly 20 years later, I can confidently say I found one of the best. Staci handles my personal taxes, business taxes, bookkeeping, and provides invaluable financial advice. Over the years, I?ve come to rely on her for everything, and that says a lot?especially since I don?t trust easily, particularly when it comes to money and taxes.
I?ve been working with Staci Thomas at Lakeside Tax and Bookkeeping for an amazing 16 years (since 2009), and I can honestly say she?s been a lifesaver! She handles all my QuickBooks and tax preparation for my independently owned dog grooming salon. I don't know how I would have managed without her. I never have to worry about anything tax-related because I know she?s on top of it. Staci is not only incredibly skilled and reliable, but also friendly, kind, and an all-around great person. I trust her complet
A shoutout to our Accountant and Friend, Staci at Lakeside Tax! When we moved to Texas back in 2007 we didn't know anyone. We were starting our business and one of the first people we met (by accident) was Staci. Well you can't run a successful business without an accountant, and we hit it off immediately! She has been helping us with our Business and Personal taxes (we're grandfathered in) for all these years and her dedication to always staying ahead of the curve with knowledge and continuing education i
Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping has been handling all my personal and business tax needs for over 13 years. Staci and her staff are wonderful to work with! They made doing business and working together online and remotely popular long before it was a standard. I know I?m in good hands with Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping!
I have used Staci with Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping since 2004! She has been a tremendous asset to our company - from setting up and teaching our office team on Quick Books, support on our payroll, monthly banking bookkeeping, company tax returns and even our personal tax returns. She is a true professional and has become part of our team and family!
Staci and her team have been providing tax and bookeeping services to our small business for about 14 years. We are very grateful for her quick response and high quality work. She is always available for questions and really cares about our business. She has a great systems that make communication with us very efficient. I could not imagine using anyone else. Thank you Staci!
More than 10 years ago I started a LLC, I was clueless and very anxious once first tax time arrived. One of my friends referred Staci! And that was the best thing that could have happened! I called her and told her I was clueless and so stressed. She invited me to her office and I arrived with a box of paperwork with no idea on how to start this!! From there I knew she was the one! She was so nice and patient. Through the years Staci gave me many tools to stay organized and I learned so much! Long story sho
Lakeside Tax is so efficient. They understand what needs to be done to get your taxes prepared and on their way to filing. Easy to work with from start to finish. No beating around the bush or putting you aside. You are a top priority. I could not have had a better experience with them and recommend them highly. KW
My company has worked with Staci & Lakeside Tax for 12 years and we definitely recommend them to anyone needing financial services. We utilize their services with QuickBooks, payroll support and tax preparation. Lakeside Tax inherited a bit of a mess when they initially took over all of our accounts, but got it cleaned up right away and it has been smooth sailing since!
My husband has used Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping for more than 7 years now for his small business needs, including bookkeeping and consultation. We have also used them for our personal taxes. They have been very responsive, friendly and easy to work with. We highly recommend them for any of your accounting needs!
Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping has been providing accounting services for my company for the past 12 years and they have done a great job. They take care of my monthly reconciliation, payroll support, quarterly reports, tax preparations for both my company as well as my personal taxes as well as other business accounting needs. They are well versed with the QuickBooks platform. Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping allows me to concentrate on my daily operations of my business knowing that my accounting is being take c
We have been working with Lakeside Tax since 2012. Staci and her team have always been great to work with, and are willing to go above and beyond to ensure a great experience. I highly recommend Lakeside Tax and Bookkeeping.
Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping Services is the absolute best. Staci and her team are professional, highly knowledgeable and very quick to respond and assist. Always a pleasure working with this team.
We have been doing business with Staci and Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping for over a decade now! We know that we can always count on this team to get the job done right. We highly recommend their services to any new businesses and businesses looking for a change in a professional tax expert. You won?t be disappointed
I have to say hands down the best business decision I could have made last year was hiring lakeside tax! Staci, Emily and Susie make a great team! They all are very knowledgeable in the tax field and are so kind and professional. They answer all my questions and just handle business. I could not do it without there help!! Thank you
Staci and her team have been doing tax work for our family for over 10 years. Their tax knowledge, communication and customer service has been excellent. I would highly recommend them.
Staci Thomas and I have worked together for several years. She initially started out helping with our personal taxes. She did such a great job that I asked her to help me with my business taxes. She walked me through all the steps and got me started. She is professional, intelligent, and answers my questions in a timely manner.
Thank GOD the day I found Staci!! As a retired doctor I established three consulting and service firms spanning business, patient care and government compliance issues and a real estate company. My past tax people were terrible and very expensive. i continually had IRS notices being fought and when i really dug in I found a mess I thought I would never resolve. Staci had it all cleaned up, at a very reasonable price, in no time (weeks- not months or years) and has kept all straight at a very reasonable pri
Lakeside Bookkeeping and Staci have provided a peace of mind for my business and family since 2017. The honest and fair guidance she has provided is second to none! We will be partnering with them for years to come!
Our taxes are quite complicated as we have a number of rental properties, limited family, partnerships, and other entities from whom we have to gather our tax records. She helped us unravel a huge mess from a much bigger and more expensive accounting firm. We love her. She?s so knowledgeable and as we speak, she has referred us to an insurance agent who will probably save us hundreds if not thousands of dollars in our personal and rental properties. she goes above and beyond and is very efficient and promp
Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping has been doing our bookkeeping and taxes since we started our company in 2020. They help us tremendously by doing the monthly bookkeeping which includes our bank and credit card reconciliation. Lakeside Tax helped us transition from a sole proprietorship to a limited liability company. They do our 1099 preparation and of course our annual tax preparation and filing.
Staci and team have been a great asset for us. We have used them for many years and recommend their service for bookkeeping and tax filing.
Lakeside Tax and Bookkeeping, Staci Thomas, owner and her employees have assisted my company for nearly 17 years, with consulting, taxes, necessary documents, etc. I have been in business for over 25 years and cannot thank Staci and her group enough for their expertise and knowledge, that has helped me keep my company current in all aspects of necessary paperwork?
We have used Lakeside Tax & Bookkeeping for our business and personal tax preparation and they did not disappoint! Gave us peace of mind! We highly recommend their services!
Staci and her team have been doing my 2 business and personal tax returns for years. They are carrying, professionals, and always available when you have questions or concerns. They make you feel comfortable like you are part of the family. Staci takes the time to share tips and gives you advices. They will always go the extra mile if you need them. I can?t thank Staci and her team enough. I?m never stressed, I know my returns are in good hands! Thank you guys for all you do and for taking such a good care
We've worked with Staci for nearly 15 years. She and her team are friendly, communicative, and detail oriented. They make filing taxes so easy and save us so much time every year. I can't recommend them enough!
Staci is wonderful and taxes and truly knows what she is doing. Super personal and works with each client
Absolutely love this company! They are professional and very responsive at all times. I highly recommend their services!
Very nice people there. Answered all my questions. A business that cares about their customers!
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.