Frequently Asked Questions

Tax advisory is single source advisory for all aspects of your financial life. It is a tax-forward approach that emphasises strategic tax reduction. Tax advisory goes well beyond simply filing taxes and looking at your situation year over year. It is a holistic approach that accounts for your wealth, your assets, insurance, your business, your benefits, your investments, your estate, and more over the course of your life.

Circular 230 is a set of regulations issued by the IRS that governs the practice of tax professionals before the federal government. It establishes ethical standards and requirements for conduct, ensuring that tax advisors operate with integrity and professionalism. At Cunningham & Associates, our adherence to Circular 230 is essential because it helps us maintain the highest standards of service, protect our clients' interests, and ensure compliance with all tax regulations. By following these guidelines, we provide you with reliable advice and peace of mind that your tax matters are handled with care and expertise.

Overall, our team has more than 25 professional licenses and certifications including but not limited to:

• EA, or Enrolled Agent, is a tax professional who is authorized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to represent taxpayers in matters related to federal taxation. EAs have passed a comprehensive exam covering all aspects of the tax code, including individual and business taxation, or they may qualify for this designation through relevant experience working for the IRS.
  
• CVA, or Certified Valuation Analyst, is a professional designation awarded to individuals who specialize in business
  valuation. This credential is granted by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) and signifies that the holder has met specific training and experience requirements in the business valuation field.
• ALM, ALM certification typically refers to a professional credential in Asset Liability Management. This designation is aimed at individuals working in financial institutions, including banks and insurance companies, where effective management of assets and liabilities is crucial for maintaining financial stability and optimizing performance.
• CBEC or Certified Business Exit Consultant designation is reserved for (and exclusively offered to) those who do exit planning work for business owners versus those who only seek to understand exit planning conceptually.
• MST or Master of Science in Taxation. This advanced academic degree focuses on the complexities of tax law, policies, and practices.
• CMA or Certified Management Accountant. It is a professional certification granted by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) to individuals who demonstrate expertise in financial management and management accounting.
• While we are not a CPA firm, we also have multiple inactive CPAs on staff including some with "Big 4" accounting experience.

Yes, of course. In our experience, the best advisors and CPAs are those open to bringing on the best expertise for their clients. We pride ourselves on being able to work with outside partners or, when necessary, replace or coordinate based on the needs and best interests of the client. 

Our fees are based on the scope and deliverables as outlined in our engagement letter. 

We can, but we don't typically do that work in a silo. As part of a broader strategy, we are happy to handle compliance.

No, we do not. But, we are happy to work with our clients attorneys or make introductions when an attorney is needed.

We hope they will feel great! CPAs do important work, and lots of it. We just try and add value where perhaps they don't have the time or expertise.