Aaaagh! Some advice from the Finance and Investing people here:

[ret5hd]

So, this has been a complicated year for us (at least for us it is, maybe not some here)...sold some property, a bit of inheritance, Social Security, Medicare AND marketplace insurance, some investment income, some regular income (wages with taxes withheld), some freelance income (no taxes withheld) etc etc.

Trying to get ahead of the game, I started searching for a REALLY GOOD cpa. The one we used in the past was pretty good, but he retired and sold his business to a person that I am just not that impressed with...used the new guy for the last 2 tax years, but he's slow and I am just afraid he isn't suited for us.

Anyway, most of the ones coming up in my searches seem to specialize in those that need help with back-taxes...not us. Or H&R Block type places that just seem to be paper pushers and form fillers. Also not us.

We need a solid, professional, future-tax-implications-aware, give-us-advise, nothing shady or even slightly gray, willing to spend some time questioning us and answering questions, etc etc etc. The kind of firm/person that asks the questions that we aren't smart enough to realize need to be asked.

This might be a one-tax-season-only "relationship", but not necessarily. We don't mind paying for personalized service...but I want to be able to see with numbers that they did a good job.

How does one find such a person/firm? My searches included our area and the terms "CPA", "CTA" "certified public accountant" and "certified tax advisor".

Any hints?

[spooky3]

1. Those search terms sound good. CFA might work too.

If you have a university nearby with a good faculty of finance and/or accounting in its business school you could search the faculty’s websites to see if they have expertise and do private practice.

[ret5hd]

3. Excellent idea! I am going to research/email some of them tonight.

Thank you. For some reason as soon as I read your reply I said "Of course! Why didn't I think of that!" (Spouse is in higher education and often gives recommendations for some of her more gifted students).

[spooky3]

5. You're welcome!

[lastlib]

6. CFAs (Chartered Financial Analysts) are investment analysts/managers.

They don't specialize in taxes. Look elsewhere, pls.

I was in the process of becoming a CFA until my company gave me the boot and shipped my job to India. In that 3-year process, I did zero study of taxes.

This OP needs a certified tax advisor or CPA or attorney who specializes in tax work.

[Shermann]

2. I do use H&R Block for my returns, but they are quite simple

They are all about those tax returns though, their tax professionals work seasonally and may not be available this time of year. Also, they sort of work off a menu of services and don't stray very far from it. But they are more skilled than "paper pushers and form fillers" in my experience.

[stopdiggin]

4. Yes! ditch the yellow pages and Google!

start asking around within your social circles. And, if that circle isn't particularly large - expand it. Your people know other people - and, within their own circles, people also know who has a small amount of property .. who's pretty sharp with their dollar .. who owns or formerly owned a business. And those people know the guy (or guys) you're looking for. Be explicit in saying , "We're really kind of looking for some advice and help .." - as opposed to just nattering on to an available ear at the local coffee klatch. But 'people' are the way you're going to find the person you're looking for.