Elizabeth Bystrom CPA, Ltd.A Private CPA Practice

Areas of practice

Elizabeth’s practice is intentionally small. Each client relationship receives her personal attention, across three areas of focus.

Complex individual tax

“I have one of those tax situations where the answer to most questions is ‘it depends.’”

“Software can prepare the forms, but it can’t tell me whether I’m making the best tax decisions.”

“I reached the point where paying a professional was cheaper than potentially making a mistake.”

Clients often arrive having said something like this. Real estate holdings, significant investments and income from several sources make a return that calls for judgment, not just data entry. Elizabeth prepares each return herself and walks the client through it.

  • Real estate investments: rental properties, depreciation, 1031 exchanges and property sales
  • High-net-worth returns with significant investment income, capital gains and K-1s
  • Business and partnership income that flows to your personal return
  • Returns for more than one state
  • Big life changes: marriage, divorce, an inheritance, selling a home or a business
  • Quarterly estimates and year-end planning

Advisory

A CPA in your corner for the decisions that shape your finances, at home or in your business.

  • A sounding board before you sign, not after
  • Business decisions: entity choice, hiring and major purchases
  • Planning ahead for a sale, an inheritance or retirement
  • Tax effects of selling or closing a business

Financial and goal coaching

Taxes are one piece of the picture. Coaching looks at the whole thing: where your money goes now, where you want it to go, and how to get there.

  • Setting short- and long-term financial goals
  • A spending plan aligned with your priorities
  • Preparing for milestones like buying a home, paying off debt or retiring
  • Scheduled reviews throughout the year

New engagements

Elizabeth keeps a limited number of client relationships, so each one receives her personal attention. New engagements are considered by qualified referral only.