Summary of What This Blog Covers
- Many CPAs get fired for poor communication and delayed responses.
- Business owners need more than tax filing. They need strategic advice.
- Surprise fees and outdated tax knowledge erode trust fast.
- The right CPA offers proactive, year-round support and clear guidance.
You’re out here building something that matters. A business you’ve poured energy, creativity, money, and midnight oil into. And along the way, you’ve realized you can’t do it all alone especially when it comes to the part most of us didn’t get into business for: the financials.
You know you need support. Not just any support, though. You need a CPA who listens, understands your business, and gives you more than a generic tax return once a year.
But instead, you’re chasing your accountant for answers, wondering what exactly you paid for, and feeling more stressed about taxes than you do about launching a new product. And let’s face it: that’s a huge red flag.
So let’s get into it. Why so many business owners fire their CPA, and more importantly, how you can find one who truly adds value, anticipates your needs, and evolves with your business.
1. Communication Is Inconsistent or Nonexistent
Let’s start with what might be the most frustrating issue: communication. You’re running a business. You have questions about your tax estimate, your Q2 numbers, or how to handle contractor payments across state lines. And when you reach out to your CPA… crickets.
Or worse, you’re passed around like a group project no one wants to take the lead on. You call the CPA firm in Austin, Texas you signed up with, and the person on the other end of the phone has to “pull up your file” just to remember who you are.
This isn’t just inconvenient. It’s costing you money, time, and confidence.
Why this happens:
Most CPA firms in Austin and elsewhere are built for scale, not service. They optimize for headcount and hourly billing, not continuity and client relationships. That’s why you might speak to four different people before someone finally gives you a vague answer to your original question.
What great communication looks like:
At Insogna, we believe your time matters and so does your peace of mind. Every client is matched with a dedicated CPA team who knows your business inside and out. We’re not just answering emails. We’re anticipating your questions, offering plain-English explanations, and proactively reaching out before deadlines sneak up.
You’re never in the dark. You’re always in the loop.
2. No Strategic Advice, Just Compliance-Only Service
Here’s the thing: you don’t need someone to just file your taxes. You can hire any tax preparer or use software for that. What you really need is someone who understands how to structure your finances to support long-term success.
A great CPA goes beyond reporting your numbers. They interpret them. They help you understand what’s working, what isn’t, and how to shift things in your favor.
Common signs your CPA isn’t strategic:
- They never ask about your business goals.
- They don’t suggest entity changes, retirement strategies, or cash flow solutions.
- You hear from them once a year, usually around March 15 or April 15.
This is what I call the “April-Only CPA” and it’s not enough.
What strategic support looks like:
A small business CPA in Austin should be helping you:
- Choose the right business entity (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp) for maximum tax efficiency.
- Set up retirement plans that reduce your tax burden and build long-term wealth.
- Identify the best times to make capital investments or distributions.
- Strategically time your income and deductions to minimize your tax liability.
At Insogna, we treat strategy as a year-round conversation. Tax planning isn’t a one-time event. It’s a living, breathing process. Whether it’s identifying new tax credits, adjusting quarterly estimates, or planning for an upcoming sale, we’re there. Always.
3. Surprise Fees and Murky Invoices
Few things are more discouraging than receiving an invoice with unexpected charges. You thought the phone call was included. You thought answering an email wouldn’t cost $250. You thought the price you were quoted was the price you’d pay. And then surprise!
Here’s what’s really happening: Many CPA firms in Austin, Texas use hourly billing models that reward complexity and volume, not efficiency or clarity. Which means every question, every email, every file request becomes a new billable event.
And let’s be honest, that makes you hesitate to even ask for help. And that’s not a partnership. That’s a transaction. You deserve better.
A better way:
At Insogna, we offer transparent, all-inclusive pricing. No hidden fees. No ambiguous “consulting” line items. Just clear service tiers so you know exactly what you’re getting and what it costs. No financial guesswork. Just financial guidance.
4. They’re Behind on Tax Law Changes And You’re the One Paying for It
The tax code changes all the time. Federal legislation shifts. State-level incentives appear and disappear. Deadlines change. Credits expire.
And your accountant’s job? To track it all before you need to.
But if you’re the one emailing your CPA a headline about a new deduction… that’s a problem.
How it impacts you:
- You miss out on deductions or credits because no one told you in time.
- Your CPA gives you outdated or incomplete advice.
- You find out from a peer or online forum about a benefit you already qualified for months too late.
Why tax law updates matter more than ever:
We’re in a time of fast-moving economic and legislative changes. Between pandemic-related tax credits, IRS modernization, and state-by-state shifts, staying compliant and strategic requires a proactive CPA, not one who plays catch-up.
At Insogna, we stay ahead of the curve. From FBAR filing requirements to depreciation rule changes and industry-specific credits (like the Qualified Business Income deduction), we’re tracking it all and customizing our guidance to fit your business.
5. They’re Reactive, Not Proactive and You’re Left Playing Catch-Up
This is a big one. If you’re always reacting to last-minute tax issues, scrambling to send files, and being surprised by what you owe, it’s time to rethink your CPA relationship.
Because you deserve better than fire drills.
What reactive looks like:
- You only hear from your accountant during tax season.
- There’s no tax projection or quarterly planning.
- Every conversation feels rushed or surface-level.
- You get unexpected tax bills and feel completely unprepared.
What proactive feels like:
- You know your tax liability well in advance and have a plan to reduce it.
- You’ve met with your CPA multiple times throughout the year.
- You have a documented plan for growth, expansion, and transition.
- You don’t just know what’s happening, you know why it’s happening.
At Insogna, we pride ourselves on being the opposite of reactive. We reach out first. We build relationships that are rooted in clarity, trust, and next-step thinking. That’s what makes our team the top Austin CPAs and why our clients stay with us year after year.
How to Vet Your Next CPA (Before You Sign Anything)
If you’ve made it this far, you’re clearly thinking about upgrading your accountantvand that’s amazing. Because awareness is the first step toward clarity, control, and better financial outcomes.
Here are five essential questions to ask when interviewing your next CPA:
1. Who will be my point of contact?
Avoid firms that pass clients from person to person. Look for a dedicated team that offers consistency, communication, and personalized attention.
2. Do you offer proactive tax planning?
You want year-round support, not just April panic. Ask how often they check in, and what their planning process looks like.
3. Is your pricing transparent?
If they hesitate to answer, be wary. Great firms share pricing upfront and help you understand what’s included and what’s not.
4. Can you support my growth?
Look for a full-service CPA firm that provides bookkeeping, payroll, cash flow strategy, and CFO-level insights. Your needs will evolve. Your CPA should too.
5. How do you stay updated on tax laws?
Their answer should be specific: continuing education, IRS bulletins, internal training, and tailored updates for client industries.
The Insogna Difference: Partnership, Not Paperwork
At Insogna, we exist to serve entrepreneurs, creators, founders, and visionaries. We’re here to help you understand your numbers, feel confident in your decisions, and reduce the friction around finances so you can focus on what you do best: building something great.
We offer:
- Dedicated CPA teams that know your business
- Proactive tax planning and forecasting
- Transparent, flat-rate pricing
- Full-service support: bookkeeping, payroll, tax prep, CFO strategy
- Responsive, friendly communication
Whether you’re based in Austin, scaling a business across multiple states, or managing remote contractors overseas, we’ve got your back.
Final Word: You Deserve More Than Compliance, You Deserve a Strategic Financial Partner
Here’s your reminder: you are allowed to expect more from your CPA.
You’re building something powerful. You deserve a CPA who helps protect it, grow it, and optimize it not just once a year, but every step of the way.
So if you’re feeling that itch, that maybe your current accountant isn’t quite cutting it, that’s not you being difficult. That’s you being wise.
Now is the time to upgrade.
Let’s build something better together.
Schedule a consultation with Insogna today. We’ll show you what it feels like to finally have a CPA who listens, leads, and helps you move forward with clarity and confidence.