How to Find a CPA for Physicians, Doctors and Dentists

For an employed physician or dentist, a CPA mostly handles tax planning: withholding versus estimated payments, retirement contributions, student loans and state returns. See our tax guide for physicians and tax guide for dentists and dental hygienists.

Once you have 1099 or locum income, the work expands to entity choice, quarterly estimates, self-employment tax and filing in each state where you worked. If you elect S corporation status, the IRS expects shareholder-employees to be paid reasonable compensation as wages.

Practice owners need a CPA who can also run the books: payer deposits tied to production and collections, payroll and provider pay, and statements a lender will accept. See medical practice accounting. Facilities may need Medicare cost report support.

• Search the CPA or firm on NASBA CPAverify, a free lookup of license status from participating state boards.
• If the state does not participate, or you want discipline details, use the board listed in NASBA’s state board directory.
• For tax preparers in general, the IRS Choosing a tax professional page explains credentials and links to its preparer directory.

“Physician tax specialist” and “wealth advisor” are not licenses. Ask for the CPA license number and verify it.

1. How many physician, dentist and practice-owner clients do you serve?
2. If I am an S corp, how do you set and document my reasonable compensation?
3. How do you handle W-2 plus 1099 or locum income across several states?
4. Where does my income fall against the 199A limits for health professionals?
5. Can you coordinate retirement plan design with my financial advisor?
6. For practices: how do you reconcile payer deposits to production and collections?

• An S corp pitched with no reasonable-compensation analysis. The IRS can recharacterize distributions as wages. See IRS guidance on S corporation compensation.
• Ignoring the health-field limits under section 199A. Health is a specified service trade or business under Treas. Reg. 1.199A-5.
• No state returns for locum work. Income earned in another state can create a filing requirement there.
• Undisclosed product sales. A CPA who also earns commissions on insurance or investments should tell you up front.
• No questions about your contracts. W-2, 1099 and partnership pay are taxed differently; a CPA should read how you are paid.

• We are a licensed CPA firm working virtually with physicians, dentists and practices nationwide.
• Services include high-income tax planning, S corp and reasonable compensation, multi-state returns and medical practice accounting.
• For healthcare organizations we also handle audits such as home care agency audits.
• Transparent, fair fees quoted upfront, in writing.
• A free initial consultation.

Best for: physicians, dentists and other clinicians with 1099 or locum income, S corporations or their own practice.

1. Free initial consultation. Tell us how you are paid, where you work and what you own.
2. Fees quoted upfront, in writing. Transparent, fair fees in an engagement letter before work starts.
3. Review. We review your last returns, contracts and, for practices, your books.
4. Plan. Entity, compensation, retirement and estimated tax plan for the year.
5. Ongoing. Returns, quarterly check-ins and practice accounting as needed.