Keesha is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Financial Planning Professional (CFP®) with her own firm based out of Chicago. She has had her private practice for 13 years now and specializes in providing accounting, tax, and financial planning services to individuals, families, solo entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
“…make sure you find someone you can trust and have a good rapport. An accountant/advisor with a good personality and enjoys helping others succeed will make a lastly partnership.”
Taxfyle: How did you get interested in accounting?
Keesha: I’ve always been interested in accounting and working with numbers. Even from a young age, I was the treasurer of my mom’s bowling team when I was nine years old. When I took my first accounting class in college, I knew that this was exactly what I wanted to do.
T: How do you build and maintain effective relationships with your clients?
K: For small businesses I like to set up monthly or quarterly calls in order to stay proactive with their business accounting needs. I think that it’s imperative for clients to stay connected and on top of their accounting and financial data. Accounting is typically viewed as historical data. However, with regular short meetings we can address issues as they arrive and plan accordingly.
T: What do you think are some of the biggest issues facing sole proprietors?
K: Often times entrepreneurs do not fully understand the effect of tax laws. Especially in today’s economy, which has seen an increase in freelancers and shared economy participants. More individuals have found themselves now a business due to income reported on 1099 vs. being an employee on payroll. These newly sole proprietors tend to get hit with unexpected tax bills in their initial year. And spend the 2nd year paying back taxes owed and trying to stay current with present estimated tax payments. Often times they have difficulty tracking their receipts, and if audited, are missing documentation required by the IRS.
T: What advice would you give to small businesses that are just starting off?
K: Hire an accountant that you can trust and understand your specific needs. In the beginning, it is critical to setup monthly virtual meetings and use an accounting software or app to assist with financial record keeping. And mostly importantly ask questions.
T: What do you like to do in your free time?
K: I love hot yoga and running long distances to clear my mind and reduce stress. I don’t run very fast, but I like to jog and I already have a marathon under my belt along with several half marathons. I also enjoy spending quality time with my family, including my husband and three children.
T: Is there anything else you would like to add?
K: Just make sure you find someone you can trust and have a good rapport. An accountant/advisor with a good personality and enjoys helping others succeed will make a lastly partnership. Lastly, also focus on your personal financial health and not just your business’s.
Keesha Tyler CPA, Runner, Wife and Mother, Yogi.
