Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Elkins.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I worked for the IRS, U.S. Tax Court, and U.S. Department of Justice for several years before going back to graduate school for my MBA and to complete my CPA. Meanwhile, my father had his own tax preparation practice and I started assisting him during tax season. We decided to start collaborating on an annual Tax Guide together and have self-published it on Amazon for the last four years now.
Once I finished school, I continued working full-time while preparing taxes for my friends and former classmates “on the side” come tax season. Eventually I had so many clients “on the side” that I decided to take a leap and leave my full-time job to start my own practice and see how much I could grow it (back in 2014). It turned out to be a great decision, and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow in the upcoming future.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been fairly smooth for the most part, but like any new venture there are always a few stumbling blocks. It took me awhile before I could afford to rent office space, so I had to meet clients at my apartment or at a Starbucks, for example. Another huge struggle was that I had to learn how to balance my time, because tax season is so busy that it can cause my personal life to suffer. So I had to really learn how to manage my time and “turn off the phone/computer” at certain times, at least for a little while. I’d say that’s still my number 1 struggle right now, is being able to unplug.
Chad Elkins, CPA – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Since our inception, Chad Elkins, CPA tax preparation services have been focused on building a simple and reliable tax preparation process for individuals and small businesses of all income levels. For less money than it would cost you to file with a big box tax outlet, you get an experienced, responsive, and enthusiastic CPA.
Our specialties include:
– Tax Planning
– Individual Tax Returns (Form 1040)
– Corporation Tax Returns (Form 1120)
– S-Corporation Tax Returns (Form 1120-S)
– Estate Tax Returns (Form 1041)
– Partnership Tax Returns (Form 1065)
– Trusts and Gift Tax Returns
– State Tax Returns (Nationwide)
As far as what I’m most proud of and what sets me apart from others, it’s my responsiveness that has really made a difference. My clients have all told me that they really appreciate how quickly I get back to them when they call, text, or e-mail me, which is something (I’m told) can be an issue in this business. Even if I’m out doing something and a question pops up on my phone, I’ll respond immediately letting them know I can’t answer their question at the moment since I’m not at my desk, but I’ll get back to them ASAP (and I’ll usually tell them when). So this is what sets me apart, though as I mentioned earlier, it can be a challenge to keep it from encroaching on my personal life and time too much.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success = happiness. Happiness is being in control of your own life and future. I never felt like I could be completely happy working for someone else. I knew that early on in my career so to me, success is controlling my own destiny. It’s nice to not have to be at the mercy of just one person’s (bad?) mood as far as my livelihood goes. I am here to serve my clients of course, but I have a lot of them, not just one boss. Mission accomplished!
Contact Info:
- Address: 4707 N Broadway Ave
Ste 302
Chicago, IL 60640 - Website: www.elkinscpa.com
- Phone: 703-217-6646
- Email: chad@elkinscpa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celkinsuva/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chadelkinscpa/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chadelkinscpa
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chad-elkins-cpa-chicago
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Elkins-2016-Comprehensive-Tax-Guide/dp/1522863168
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