Summary of What This Blog Covers
- Your CPA is reactive: If they say “That’s outside our scope,” they’re not equipped to support growth.
- No tax planning before year-end: You’re likely overpaying without Q4 tax strategy.
- No structure advice: They can’t guide you on S Corp elections or multi-state expansion.
- Bookkeeping is unchecked: Inaccurate books lead to costly errors. Get a CPA who catches them early.
Let’s cut to the chase. If you’re running a growing business and your CPA is still acting like they’re doing your taxes as a favor, you’ve got a bigger issue than just a missed deduction.
Every smart entrepreneur reaches a crossroads: either outgrow your CPA, or get held back by them.
Maybe you started with a solo accountant who filed your Schedule C back when things were simple. But now you’re a multi-entity, multi-state, possibly multi-seven-figure business and you need someone who thinks bigger than data entry and W-2s. You need someone who offers strategic insight, not just transactional compliance.
At Insogna CPA, we don’t just do taxes. We reshape how business owners view accounting from an annual burden into a high-leverage opportunity.
So how do you know it’s time to move on?
These four red flags aren’t just warning signs. They’re your business screaming for smarter strategy, better service, and a CPA who can actually grow with you.
1. “That’s Outside Our Scope” Has Become Their Go-To Response
If your accountant is a one-trick pony (only appearing during tax season to file your return) ask yourself: what are they actually doing the other 11 months of the year?
A strategic CPA should be able to:
- Analyze whether your business should switch from an LLC to an S Corporation
- Evaluate tax implications of hiring across multiple states
- Guide you through forming or dissolving entities
- Explain your nexus exposure before you hear from another state’s tax authority
- Walk you through how changes to tax law affect your industry
Instead, many CPAs avoid these topics entirely. Why? Because they’re either not trained for it, or their business model isn’t built for this level of guidance. If your questions are always met with “You’ll need to ask a lawyer,” “That’s not something we do,” or worse, “Google it,” then you’re working with a compliance-only shop, not a strategic partner.
Here’s where we’re different. At Insogna CPA, we’re known for clarity, precision, and our ability to translate tax complexity into actionable decisions. We’re a licensed CPA firm in Austin, Texas that proactively handles multi-state registrations, tax structure changes, and S Corporation optimizations all with concierge-level service.
This isn’t “extra.” It’s essential for scaling businesses.
2. You Get a Tax Plan… After You’ve Already Filed
Let’s talk about one of the biggest missed opportunities in the tax world: proactive Q4 planning.
If your accountant isn’t talking to you before year-end about ways to reduce your tax burden, you’re leaving real money on the table. And worse, you’re making decisions blind.
Smart tax planning should happen while you still have time to influence the numbers, not after the clock runs out. That’s why we do full Q4 reviews with our clients, where we:
- Project your total income and tax liability
- Evaluate if a change in payroll structure could save thousands
- Identify asset purchases or investments that qualify for deductions under Section 179
- Explore charitable contribution strategies or retirement plan optimizations
- Plan for quarterly estimates and avoid underpayment penalties
This isn’t a favor, it’s the standard of service you should expect from any certified public accountant near you claiming to support your growth.
If your CPA’s version of planning is handing you a tax bill in March, it’s time to level up.
3. They Can’t Explain or Execute on Structure Strategy
Your business entity isn’t just a legal form, it’s a tax strategy.
But far too many business owners get zero guidance on whether they’re set up the right way. The result? They overpay on taxes, miss compliance requirements, and lack a clear structure as they grow.
If your CPA isn’t initiating conversations about:
- Electing S Corporation status via Form 2553
- Multi-entity structuring for liability and tax planning
- Foreign qualifications when expanding into new states
- The tax implications of adding partners, shareholders, or investors
- The best way to compensate yourself from your business
…then they’re missing the mark.
We’ve helped dozens of clients save five figures annually just by shifting from an LLC to an S Corp with correct payroll, clean bookkeeping, and proper filings in all required states. And yes, we handle FBAR filing too, for those who do business internationally.
We’re not just a tax accountant near you. We’re a strategic advisor who keeps you compliant while ensuring your structure supports and does not sabotage your financial goals.
4. No One’s Touched Your Books Since Last Tax Season
Here’s a secret: your tax return is only as good as your bookkeeping. And if your accountant isn’t reviewing your books at least quarterly—if not monthly—you’re taking unnecessary risks.
We’ve seen returns filed with:
- Loans misclassified as income
- Owner draws treated as deductible expenses
- Outdated chart of accounts that miss critical tracking fields
- Sales taxes incorrectly included in revenue
- Payroll posted as “miscellaneous”
Mistakes like these aren’t just technical errors. They can trigger audits, lead to overpaid taxes, and create financial reports that mislead your lenders or investors.
At Insogna CPA, we review bookkeeping with surgical precision. Whether you’re using QuickBooks Online, Xero, or another system, we make sure your data is:
- Properly categorized
- Apportioned by state (if you have nexus exposure)
- Consistent with payroll and payment platforms
- Reconciled and clean before filing season
For business owners searching “tax preparation services near them” or “Austin accounting firms,” the real question is: are you looking for someone to file your return, or someone who owns the integrity of your financial system?
Because there’s a massive difference and only one of them helps you grow.
BONUS: Are You Doing Business Internationally? We Handle That, Too.
Modern businesses don’t just operate across state lines, they cross international ones, too. Whether you’ve got:
- Contractors in Europe
- Foreign bank accounts
- Currency conversions to track
- Payments through international platforms like Payoneer or Stripe Global
You may be on the hook for foreign disclosure requirements. That includes FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Reporting) and FATCA compliance.
If your CPA has never asked about this, run, don’t walk.
At Insogna CPA, we proactively identify international tax triggers and file all necessary reports on your behalf. We also advise you on:
- Withholding requirements
- Cross-border tax planning
- S. reporting standards for foreign transactions
Because in today’s global marketplace, having a certified CPA near you isn’t enough. You need one who understands the world.
What’s the Real Cost of Staying with the Wrong CPA?
Let’s break it down:
- Missed deductions = real dollars lost
- Poor planning = overpaid taxes
- Bad bookkeeping = audit risk
- No strategy = stalled growth
If your CPA isn’t saving you more than you’re paying them, what exactly are you paying for?
Why Clients Choose Insogna CPA
Because we are:
- A CPA firm in Austin, Texas with national and international reach
- Experts in S Corporation compliance, multi-state nexus, and tax strategy
- Trusted by service-based businesses, eCommerce sellers, agencies, and consultants across the U.S.
- Known for proactive, concierge-level support that anticipates needs before they become problems
We’re not just here to file your taxes. We’re here to transform how you grow your business with insights, systems, and strategy built to scale.
So, Be Honest. Do Any of These Sound Familiar?
- You’re growing fast, but your CPA is still doing the bare minimum
- You’ve never had a conversation about entity structure or tax planning
- Your books are a mess and your accountant hasn’t noticed
- You’re handling multiple states or countries and no one’s advising you
Then yes, it’s time for a change.
Ready to Work With a CPA Who Sees the Big Picture?
You’ve built something worth protecting. Now you need the right financial partner to help you scale it.
Whether you’re searching for:
- A small business CPA in Austin
- A strategic tax professional near you
- A seasoned team for S Corporation tax planning
- Or just a better way to handle your multi-state filings and bookkeeping
You’re in the right place.
Let’s schedule a discovery call and build your roadmap to cleaner books, smarter tax moves, and a financial strategy that actually supports your growth.
Because your CPA shouldn’t just be filing forms. They should be helping you win.