Discussion:Client representation services

I am looking for some information on some good CPE course on client representation before the IRS. I am studying for the SEE exam and understand the basics but I don't think I know enough about the process, tricks of the trade, how things really work, etc. to take my show on the road and start representing clients.

Can someone point me to a good CPE course that extends the knowledge? I don't have, nor will I have, the ability to stop my current job to go to work for someone who specializes in these cases (although I would like to).

Thanks,

Michael

Michael

I then guarantee you this: once you apply what you have learned from Level 1, you will be able to afford levels 2 and 3 (and then the graduate level, like I did).

I was the recipient of such a scholarship around 1992

now I donate to the NAEA scholarship fund to help others

That sounds great, thanks as always for the great advice. I can't say that I will be able to afford this expensive of CPE going forward (being part time) however, for something as important as client representation, I will definitely do this.

I can't thank you enough, I really appreciate it.

Michael

Michael

I hope the business is there for you when you get done.

After reading the recent post on the main page (not the first post we've had on the subject), I would not be totally surprised if Congress just scrapped the OIC program altogether, at some point.

I am not saying that OIC's are the only thing you could do, but this whole area of practice is being ruined by it's own "success".

There is another very important question: how much legitimate business is there, really?

Remember, many of these boilerroom operations don't care if someone has a legit. chance in getting an OIC accepted. In other words, these are not viable clients they are dealing with to begin with, they are instead merely "available suckers".

I would think that valid OIC cases would be few and far between, honestly. Not cases attempted by unscrupulous firms but cases that qualify for the program and are ultimately successful. But then the question is begged that if the person is OIC qualified, how in the world do they afford our representation fees?

Perhaps Kevin and others that have significant representation businesses could take a few minutes to sort of describe a day in the life of an EA doing representation services. What services do you perform most, what are the most profitable for the time expended, what are the easiest to sell, where is the greatest opportunity to help your clients, etc? I had those very same questions because while the EA exam prepares you to talk a lot about what you know, putting the rubber to the road--so to speak--and actually representing someone is over the horizon somewhere. Without specific training and mentoring (wink wink Kevin5h) I wouldn't disadvantage a client by trying representation....as the old saying goes, I don't even know enough at this point to know what I don't know.

Michael

For instance, it seems to me that an excellent growth area would be estate and trust tax.

Though, when I see the knowledge that someone like Dennis has, I really wonder if there are enough teachers to go around to get the tax community educated to handle the business.

I know that I'm not prepared for it. And I don't see any chance at repeal in 2010, since the Country needs every revenue source it can get it's hands on.

Interesting point, though. The local tax law practitioners around here do estate planning almost exclusively. Business tax planning and compliance seem to go to the CPA firms.

EAs have no noticeable presence at all which might be explained by the fact that there aren't more than half a dozen in the area.

That's why the guys on late night TV keep advertising. Someone wants to hire them NOW to solve the problem that happened TODAY (the levy that has been coming for 3 years from the SFR after 8 years of non-filing).

So then you've got to JUMP IN and work like anything TODAY to help the client, as they have already waited 19 days since the bank levy.

That is one reason why this type of work commands a premium fee. The other is because there are so few people who are actually proficient at it. You don't have time to learn once the client hires you. You've got to know where to find the answers (know the IRM). But more importantly, you've got to know basically what the answers are.

Then you've got to do a lot of handholding/babysitting (which means higher fees) in order to get all of the info from the client. Once they leave your office they think you will call off the IRS and they don't need to do anything else. They tend to forget that you asked for 3 documents by tomorrow.

I do agree that you will generate more immediate, substantial cash flow doing representation than anything else. If you are good at it.

On the other hand, it concerns me that everyone is gravitating to this area, which will ultimately lower fees (maybe substantially lower them).

Of my anticipated CPE training, I will spend the bulk of my money on learning this trade. I like taking complex situations and boiling them down to the nuts and bolts of the issues. I also like helping clients who have serious problems to work through them. I look forward to getting involved in this.

One more question...out of all of your representation work what percentage of it requires that you actually meet face to face with the IRS? I am trying to determine how much of my time will have to be away from my full-time job. I find that clients really like the evening hours I give up but I am sure the IRS does not. I would think that the bulk of your work for clients is done via mail and phone calls?

Michael

but 96% of time discussing things with clients is face to face