Four Practical Case Studies of Real Advisory Success

woman and man meeting in office; chart on his laptop screen

And four lessons learned.

By Jackie Meyer

You’ve already heard the story of one of my first high-net-worth clients – an executive preparing their own tax return, making costly errors and ultimately turning to me for help. Let’s revisit this example with a deeper dive into the transformation and outcomes.

MORE: Your Balanced Millionaire Journey Begins Now | How to Cultivate Holistic Wealth | Five Hard-Earned Lessons from Exiting an Accounting Firm | It’s Never Too Early to Plan Your Exit Strategy | Beyond Blocking: More Time Management Strategies | Reclaim Your Hours with Time Management and Productivity Hacks | Master the ROI Method: Price for Value, Not Time
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Case Study 1: From $150,000 in Tax Savings to 1,400 Percent ROI

The Situation: This client was an executive with a complex financial situation, including private equity investments that generated dozens of K-1s. When I initially reviewed his self-prepared return, I found that he had misclassified a capital gain sale as royalty income, which led to an overstatement of income by hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2012, I charged him an hourly rate of $150 to amend the return and correct the mistake. This simple fix saved him $150,000 in taxes.
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Five Hard-Earned Lessons from Exiting an Accounting Firm

Or “what I wish I knew earlier.”

By Jackie Meyer

Having gone through the process of selling clients and eventually an entire firm, I gathered some invaluable lessons. If you ever consider selling part or all of your practice, keep these in mind:

MORE: It’s Never Too Early to Plan Your Exit Strategy | Beyond Blocking: More Time Management Strategies | Ten Key Guidelines for Accounting Staff | Leverage Technology for Growth | Master the ROI Method: Price for Value, Not Time | How I Became an Accidental Entrepreneur | Build a Seven-Figure Firm in Four Hours a Week
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  • Always Have a Retention Clause: If you sell clients or your firm, include a clause in the sale agreement that protects you if clients don’t stick around.

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It’s Never Too Early to Plan Your Exit Strategy

businessman thinking with hand on his chin

Consider the legacy you’re leaving.

By Jackie Meyer

Building a successful advisory practice is a significant achievement. But have you considered what happens next once you’ve reached your current goals? It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day operations and growth of your firm without thinking long-term. However, true freedom and peace of mind come from knowing you have a plan for the future of your business and the impact you’ll leave behind.

MORE: Beyond Blocking: More Time Management Strategies | Reclaim Your Hours with Time Management and Productivity Hacks | Hiring Strategies for Your Dream Team | Streamline Your Operations with Systems and Processes | From Compliance to Advisory: Shifting the Value Proposition | Build a Seven-Figure Firm in Four Hours a Week
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This article delves into the critical topics of exit strategy and legacy. We’ll explore why it’s essential to plan for the future even in the early stages of building your firm, discuss various options for eventually selling or transitioning your business, and get you thinking deeply about the legacy you want to create. Planning your exit isn’t about wanting to quit – it’s about building a business that’s a valuable asset and ensuring your hard work carries on according to your wishes.
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870 Pages, Simplified | The Concierge CPA

OBBB affects every income tier—and tax advisors are urged to act now.

This is a preview. The complete video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to PRO Members | Go PRO here
Sponsored by “It’s NOT Just the Numbers: How to Move Beyond the Numbers and Deliver REAL Value for Your Clients.”
by Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead. See Today’s Special Offer

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The Concierge CPA
With Jackie Meyer
For CPA Trendlines

In the latest episode of The Concierge CPA, Jackie Meyer, a nationally recognized tax strategist, and Dave Lukas, CEO of TaxPlanIQ, walk through the most significant provisions of the new law. The hosts emphasize that while the changes add complexity, they also create what Meyer calls “a once-in-a-generation opportunity for accountants to step up as trusted advisors.”

More Jackie Meyer

One of the biggest wins for business owners is the permanent return of 100% bonus depreciation. Companies can immediately expense the full cost of qualifying assets—including used property—placed in service after Jan. 19, 2025. “Timing matters more than ever,” Meyer stresses, urging CPAs to model scenarios carefully to avoid unintended consequences with Qualified Business Income (QBI) deductions.

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Beyond Blocking: More Time Management Strategies

Meditative businessman is pondering time management while surrounded by alarm clocks

Includes eight key mindset shifts and habits to cultivate for peak productivity.

By Jackie Meyer

While time blocking is a cornerstone strategy, it’s not the only tool in the productivity toolbox. Different tasks and personalities call for different approaches.

MORE: Reclaim Your Hours with Time Management and Productivity Hacks | How to Bring Core Values into Your Accounting Firm | The AI Revolution: Embracing Artificial Intelligence in Your Practice | Craft Tiered Service Packages for Maximum Impact | Niche Down to Scale Up | Build a Seven-Figure Firm in Four Hours a Week
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Here are a few other effective time management techniques and when to use them:

  • Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent vs. Important): Made famous by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and popularized by Stephen Covey, this matrix helps you prioritize by dividing tasks into four quadrants:
    • Urgent AND Important: Do these tasks first. They are crises or deadlines that you must handle now (e.g., a client’s tax filing due today).

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