What to Bring to Your First CPA Meeting (And What to Expect)

If This Is a Tax Appointment

For a tax preparation meeting, bring everything that relates to money you received or spent during the tax year.

• Prior year tax return (federal and state if applicable)
• All W-2 forms from employers
• 1099 forms — 1099-NEC (freelance), 1099-INT (interest), 1099-DIV (dividends), 1099-B (investment sales), 1099-R (retirement)
• Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and dependents
• Records of deductible expenses (business expenses, mortgage interest, charitable contributions)
• Health insurance documentation — Form 1095-A if you purchased through the marketplace
• Any IRS correspondence received in the past year

If You Own a Business, Also Bring

• Profit and loss statement for the year
• Balance sheet as of year-end
• Bank statements for all business accounts
• Records of equipment or vehicle purchases
• Mileage log if you use a personal vehicle for business
• Payroll records if you have employees
• Prior year business tax return

If This Is an Accounting or Bookkeeping Consultation

If you are meeting a CPA for the first time to discuss ongoing accounting services, focus on giving them a picture of your current situation.

• Most recent bank statements for personal and business accounts
• Any existing bookkeeping files (QuickBooks, spreadsheets, etc.)
• Prior year tax returns
• A rough sense of your monthly revenue and major expense categories
• Any outstanding IRS or state tax notices

What to Expect from the Meeting

A good first CPA meeting is mostly a conversation. The CPA should be asking questions about your situation, not just collecting documents. Expect to discuss your goals, your business structure, your pain points, and what you have been doing up to this point.

You should walk away with a clear sense of what they recommend, what the next steps are, and what it will cost. If they cannot give you a price in the first meeting, ask when you can expect a proposal.

Questions Worth Asking Your CPA

• How do you communicate with clients — email, phone, client portal?
• Will I work directly with you or with staff members?
• How do you handle it if I receive an IRS notice?
• Do you have other clients in my industry?
• What do you need from me on an ongoing basis to do your job well?

Have Questions About Your Situation?

Schedule a free 20-minute consultation with MDR Consulting CPA. We will review your specific situation and send a flat-fee proposal within 24 hours — no commitment required.