“Are we doing this right?”
Start with what is making you unsure. The next step may be an explanation, a defined review of the work, or a question that needs more information.
FOR HOUSTON BUSINESS OWNERS · JAG CPA & CO.
What do you want the business to make possible?
Getting the books done and the return filed matters. So does understanding what the numbers mean for the business—and the life you’re building around it.
Room to reinvest. A more dependable income. More time for the work and people that matter to you. I want to understand what you’re working toward, what still feels unclear, and what an answer would help you do. That’s where I start.
Request a ConsultationRequest a 30-minute phone conversation with Joe. Our team emails the questionnaire; Joe reviews the fit before the team confirms the appointment.
START WITH WHAT YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND
The work gets done.
Some questions still need a conversation.
You may already have someone preparing the returns or keeping the books. You want to understand the choices behind the work, what the numbers mean, and what deserves attention next.
“What should we be planning for?”
Tell us what you are considering and when it matters. That gives us a starting point for discussing the facts, alternatives and work needed.
“Will someone understand the business?”
Explain how the business works and what you want from it. Your context belongs in the conversation, along with the numbers.
SEE THE REASONING
Your goal changes the questions we need to ask.
An answer becomes more useful when we understand the decision behind it. Here are two examples of how I work through a question.
60 seconds · Silent video with on-screen text. The explanation is also written here.
01 / PROFIT AND CASH
The business made a profit. Why did cash go down?
Suppose a business earns $100,000 in sales and incurs $80,000 in expenses. It reports $20,000 in profit. But $25,000 of those sales has not been collected.
Profit$100,000 − $80,000$20,000
Cash movement$75,000 collected − $80,000 paidDown $5,000
Invented figures for a simplified accrual-basis example: all $80,000 of expenses were paid, with no other transactions. This is not a client result or a tax calculation.
What I would want to understand next
Which amounts remain unpaid? When are they expected to arrive? What does the business need to pay before then? Following the cash helps us understand the decision the profit figure alone cannot answer.
How would this fit with the help you already have? →60 seconds · Silent video with on-screen text. The explanation is also written here.
02 / BUSINESS PURPOSE
What does this purchase need to do for the business?
For a proposed equipment purchase, I want to understand the business reason, the alternatives and the cash it leaves available before we get into the tax treatment.
- Start with the purpose. What would the equipment help you do? What problem would it solve?
- Compare the choices. Could repair, renting or waiting address the same need?
- Look at the cash. What would remain available for the rest of the business?
- Then evaluate the tax treatment. That requires the relevant facts and applicable rules.
If the equipment solves a useful business problem and the cash position supports it, the purchase may deserve a closer look. If the benefit is unclear or cash is needed elsewhere, another option may make more sense.
Bring the decision into focus
Write down what you expect the purchase to change and the alternatives you are considering. That gives us something specific to work through.
A hypothetical decision framework. No deduction or tax savings is assumed; detailed analysis and recommendations require an agreed scope.
See how we discuss fit and scope →Start with the part you want to understand.
Try finishing three sentences: I want to understand… My current support covers… The decision I want help with is…
If you do not know yet, say that. You do not need to diagnose the issue or choose a service before explaining the question.
A WORKING RELATIONSHIP THAT MAKES SENSE
How would JAG fit with the help you already have?
Start with what is working.
Already have someone handling the books or preparing the returns? Tell us what that person handles, what you want to keep, and where you want more help.
Keeping records current and helping you interpret them are different responsibilities. We need to understand which responsibilities are covered before discussing whether JAG has a sensible role.
Any transition or cleanup work would be discussed and scoped separately.
Know what you’re agreeing to.
A useful proposal should answer four plain questions:
- What work are we doing?
- Who handles each part?
- What does it cost?
- What would be separate?
Accounting and advisory, tax planning, and annual return preparation are separately scoped. You do not need to choose a service before explaining your situation.
Good work asks something of both of us.
You can come with questions, mistakes or things that need sorting out. A useful partnership starts with a willingness to look honestly at the facts and take responsibility for the next step.
We explain how we see the situation and listen to how you see it. We take responsibility for our work and for correcting our mistakes. You bring the information we agree is needed and take responsibility for your decisions and commitments. Clear responsibilities give us a way to work through the difficult questions together.
Why honesty and responsibility matter to Joe →Accounting and advisory
Work on reliable records, understand what the numbers mean, and discuss support for business decisions.
Tax planning and preparation
Consider the tax questions connected to the business and identify the appropriate planning or filing work.
Tax planning and annual return preparation are separate; return preparation is quoted separately. Before any engagement, we define the work, fees, and responsibilities.
A NOTE FROM JOE
Houston is home.
We’re here to stay.
The purpose behind JAG
I started JAG with about $9,000 and a lot of uncertainty. Understanding what I wanted to build—and what our work could mean in people’s lives—took much longer.
Our purpose is to make people’s lives better through better management of their taxes and finances.
Read my story: What I Was Really Building →You’re putting time, work, and responsibility into building your business. I want to understand what you’re trying to accomplish before recommending a path.
We’re not building JAG to sell it to a big firm. Houston is home, and I want to build lasting relationships with business owners here.
That starts with listening, explaining the tradeoffs, and being clear about the work. Sometimes the next step is more information. Sometimes it’s simpler than the question that brought you in.
Joe Gallegos, CPA/CVA
JAG CPA & Co.
START WITH YOUR QUESTION
What are you trying to work through?
Request a 30-minute phone consultation with Joe. The first conversation is about your situation, whether JAG is a fit, and an appropriate next step.
Request a ConsultationChoosing a time starts a request. Your appointment is confirmed after the questionnaire and Joe’s approval. Further analysis or ongoing work requires a separate agreed scope.
Need help with the request? 713-234-5112
- Request a time
Choose an available time in the consultation calendar.
- Give Joe some context
Our team emails the New Business Client Questionnaire. Tell us about the business and what you want help deciding.
- Joe reviews your request
Your answers help him understand the situation and review the fit before the call.
- Receive confirmation
After Joe’s approval, our team confirms the phone consultation.
A FEW PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Before you take the next step.
Do I need to know exactly which service I need?
Start with the situation and the question you want to work through. The questionnaire and fit review help Joe understand whether JAG can help and which service path may be appropriate.
What if I already have a bookkeeper or CPA?
Tell us who handles the current work, what is working well, and what you want to change or add. Start by explaining the situation; you do not need to reorganize everything just to request a conversation. Any transition work would be discussed and scoped separately.
What will we cover in the first conversation?
Your business, goals, and questions; whether JAG is a fit; and a practical next step. A finished plan, detailed analysis, implementation, or ongoing services require an agreed scope.
How will I know what the work includes and costs?
The scope and fees depend on the work needed. Accounting/advisory, tax planning, and annual return preparation have separate scopes. We define the work, fees, and responsibilities before an engagement.
Why do I need to complete the questionnaire?
It gives Joe context about your business and what matters to you before the call. He uses it to review the fit. Complete it and wait for confirmation after his approval; a selected time alone is not a confirmed appointment.
Still exploring a question?
You can keep reading before deciding whether to request a conversation. Explore JAG’s Business Blog for more explanations, or bring your question to the first conversation.