Revolutionizing Tax Strategy and Strategic Partnerships: Insights from Heidi Henderson and Jackie Meyer

In the latest episode of The Concierge CPA Podcast, Jackie Meyer, CPA, President and Founder of TaxPlanIQ, dives into a rich conversation with Heidi Henderson, Executive Vice President of Engineered Tax Services (ETS). Together, they unpack tax strategies, the evolving role of accounting firms, and the importance of work-life balance in the tax profession.

This engaging discussion sheds light on leveraging innovative tax planning strategies, fostering strategic partnerships, and addressing the trends reshaping the audit and tax planning landscape.

You can listen to the full episode here, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Unlocking Tax Savings with Innovative Tax Strategies

One of the standout moments from the podcast centers on the transformative impact of tax strategies like cost segregation, energy incentives, and research and development (R&D) credits. Heidi explains how ETS specializes in helping real estate owners and business innovators unlock savings through these methods.

For example, cost segregation allows property owners to accelerate depreciation by identifying and reclassifying components of a building for shorter depreciation periods. Heidi points out the incredible tax savings these strategies bring, particularly when paired with tools like bonus depreciation.

“Cost segregation isn’t a red flag for audits—it’s explicitly supported in the tax code,” Heidi says, emphasizing the strategy’s role in accurate financial reporting and long-term tax planning.

Strategic Partnerships: A Game-Changer for CPAs

Another focal point of the conversation is the power of strategic partnerships. ETS collaborates closely with accounting firms to provide specialized services, such as energy credits and tax credit consulting. These partnerships enable CPAs to offer advanced strategies without overextending their resources or expertise.

Jackie highlights how ETS, as a preferred vendor of TaxPlanIQ, has become a trusted partner for many firms. Heidi adds, “We aim to make CPAs the heroes for their clients. Our job is to enhance their offerings, not compete with them.”

For firms struggling with capacity or hesitant to dive into advanced tax planning, such partnerships can bridge the gap, providing tools and expertise while maintaining client relationships.

Balancing Growth and Work-Life Harmony

Both Jackie and Heidi acknowledge a growing need for better work-life balance in the accounting industry. Jackie notes how burnout and staffing shortages are driving firms to rethink their traditional models. Heidi agrees, adding, “The industry is facing a capacity crisis, forcing accountants to innovate or risk falling behind.”

From automating routine processes to implementing scalable tax planning solutions, the episode emphasizes adopting technologies like TaxPlanIQ to ease workloads. By streamlining workflows, CPAs can focus more on strategic advisory roles, which bring higher value to their clients and firms.

Addressing Audit Trends and Client Expectations

As tax strategies become more sophisticated, Heidi notes the importance of staying informed about audit trends. ETS ensures that all their strategies are audit-supported with detailed documentation, empowering CPAs to confidently present tax savings to clients.

“A lot of misconceptions around strategies like cost segregation stem from a lack of understanding,” Heidi explains. “We focus on educating both CPAs and clients to clear up these myths.”

This approach aligns with ETS’s mission to enhance CPA-client relationships through education and high-quality service, helping firms thrive even in a challenging regulatory landscape.

Moving Forward with TaxPlanIQ

For accounting firms looking to expand their services without increasing their workload, TaxPlanIQ offers an ideal solution. By seamlessly integrating tax strategies into their practice, CPAs can provide high-value, custom-branded tax plans with ease.

TaxPlanIQ simplifies the process by allowing users to upload client information, view tailored tax strategies, and generate professional tax plans in minutes. With built-in resources like IRS court case references and actionable implementation steps, the software makes tax planning scalable and effective.

If you’re ready to grow your tax firm, increase client satisfaction, and reduce your workload, explore how TaxPlanIQ can transform your practice. Sign up for a free demo today.