Working with clients in multiple states

Businesses, nonprofits and owners outside DC, Virginia and Maryland, and DC-area businesses that operate in other states. Typical examples are remote teams, government contractors with staff in several states, nonprofits with multi-state programs, and owners who have moved.

1. Free 30-minute call. We learn what you need and where you operate, and confirm we can serve you in your state.
2. Engagement letter. Scope and fees are set out upfront, in writing. Fees are transparent and fair.
3. Document exchange. You share files electronically and grant access to your cloud accounting system, such as QuickBooks Online or Xero.
4. Video calls. Planning, reviews and year-end meetings happen by video, scheduled around your time zone.
5. Filings. We prepare federal returns and state returns for each state where you're required to file.

Each state licenses CPAs through its board of accountancy. A majority of states have adopted mobility rules. These generally let a CPA licensed in good standing in one state practice in another without getting another license.

The details vary by state and by service. Attest work, such as audits and reviews, can carry extra requirements. Under the model rules many states follow, a firm offering attest services in a state where it has no office may need a firm permit there unless it meets ownership and peer review requirements. Our CPAs are licensed in multiple states, and we confirm the rules for your state before we take on an engagement.

Working in more than one state often means filing in more than one state. Employees, property or sales in a state can create nexus, which can trigger income or franchise tax, sales tax or payroll withholding there. We help you work out where you're required to file and prepare those returns. See multi-state tax nexus.