Cromwell & Associates, LLC

Serves Washington, DC

35244

Hired 26 times

4 employees

18 years in business

$1250

5.0

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, Square cash app, Stripe, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Credentials

License

License Holder: Stephen Cromwell 
License Type: CPA – Certified Public Accountant (MD) 
License number: #34199 
License verified on 6/3/2025 
Valid through 1/12/2026 
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License

License Holder: Stephen Cromwell 
License Type: Attorney (MD) 
License number: #2112140006 
License verified on 6/3/2025 
Valid through 6/3/2027 
Verify license 

Background Check

Stephen Cromwell 
Completed on 10/25/2022 

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Introduction

Before you settle with the IRS or state tax authority, you want to be sure you have received the settlement or payment plan possible. As both a CPA and attorney, I am able to represent individuals and businesses both administratively, and in US Tax Court, and Maryland Tax Court.   One group of individuals we really enjoy working with are those individuals who are self-employed. There are a lot of ways in which a self-employed business owner can reduce their tax liability and save for retirement. Mostly I enjoy helping individuals and businesses achieve success by alleviating the stress of maintaining compliance with tax and regulatory authorities. The profession of accounting is about helping people and developing relationships built on honesty and trust.

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Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

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Generally, most returns start at $350. The pricing of the return will be more depending on the complexity of the return. Based on the information provided by the client and the review of the prior year return we can provide the client with a fairly accurate quote. Of course, this quote will depend on whether additional issues are uncovered during the preparation of the return. The client will be informed if difficulties are encountered during the return preparation process.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

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Generally for individual returns we need a copy of the prior year return. Technology allows us to work with clients throughout the United States including Hawaii and Alaska. We will obtain the prior year information and enter that information into our tax software. This will generate a tax organizer for the current year. The tax organizer will allow the client to gather information for the current year and double check to see if they have missed anything based on the documentation from the prior year. After the client has gathered their data they are free to make an in-person appointment or scan and send the documentation to us and then we can have a meeting either via telephone or Skype.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

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I am a licensed attorney and a certified public accountant licensed in the State of Maryland. I have been working with taxpayers for over 20 years both compliance and tax controversy matters.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

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I started with one client about 20 years ago and built my business from scratch one client at a time.

What types of customers have you worked with?

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The most common type of work we perform for clients is individual and business/nonprofit tax preparation. In addition to traditional tax work, we complete a fair number of estate and trust tax returns. Our services are rounded out by completing compilations, reviews, and audits of client's financial statements when necessary.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

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I like working with clients that have IRS or state tax issues. I enjoy helping individuals and businesses get back on track. Individuals and business owners are mostly unaware of the tools available to them to interact with the IRS and get their tax issues corrected. I also enjoy helping small business owners save and invest for retirement.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

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Look for someone whom you can continue working with for the long haul. While pricing a professional service is important it should not be the overriding factor in choosing a tax preparer. You want to be comfortable working with this person. The more the individual knows about your situation the better that professional will be able to help you. At the same time a tax professional is looking for clients that are ethical and provide their tax professional with full disclosure of their tax situation.

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

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It is not all about price. Accounting and tax preparation is a very fluid and dynamic profession. The profession is under constant change due to new accounting standards and tax code changes. To keep up with these changes accounting firms need to spend a great deal of money and time building and maintaining expertise within their specialty. There are a lot of incremental costs that go into the final price of the tax return or accounting service. Yes we all want to keep fees reaonsable but generally the level of fees will dictate the level of expertise. As they say, you get what you pay for or that the advice is worth what you pay for it.

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