OUR PROCESS
We make it simple. You make it official. We take it from there.
Working with a financial firm should feel organized and straightforward — not stressful. At The L Crew – Accounting, every engagement, including our bookkeeping services and tax preparation, follows a clear process designed to protect your information, respect your time, and deliver accurate results. We work entirely through our secure client portal, meet by appointment only, and never begin work without a signed engagement letter and confirmed payment. Here is exactly what to expect.
HOW WE WORK
Tax Preparation Clients
Step 1 — Schedule a Consultation Every tax engagement starts with a consultation — by Zoom or in person at our Lantana, FL office. Walk-ins are not accepted. Please contact us before booking to confirm availability. Free consultations are available on a limited basis and require prior management approval. All others are billed at our standard hourly rate.
Step 2 — Receive Your Proposal After your consultation, we review your situation, complexity, and scope of work. You receive a clear written proposal — detailing the services, fees, and timeline — before anything begins.
Step 3 — Sign & Pay Once you approve your proposal, you will receive an engagement letter through the portal. No work begins until it is signed and your retainer or reservation fee is received. Both are required to secure your spot on our schedule.
Step 4 — Upload Your Documents You will receive portal access and a personalized document checklist. All documents are submitted through our secure encrypted portal — we do not accept drop-offs, email attachments, or faxes. Your file goes into the queue only when your document submission is complete. The turnaround clock starts when we have everything we need, not before. If we reach out twice for missing information and do not hear back, your file is placed on hold until documentation and full payment are received.
Step 5 — We Prepare Your Return Files are worked in the order they are received and completed. Standard turnaround is 5–7 business days from the date your complete file is received, or as otherwise communicated. During peak season (January through April) turnaround may extend toward the longer end of that window. If documents are not received by our seasonal deadline, a written extension request is required — extensions do not extend your payment deadline, and you remain responsible for any penalties or interest on unpaid taxes.
Step 6 — Review & File Your completed return is delivered through the portal for your review. We walk you through the results before anything is filed. Your electronic signature is required before submission to any tax authority. If we do not receive a response to your review within 7 business days, your file moves to a pending queue. We follow up once before archiving.
Bookkeeping & Accounting Clients
The bookkeeping services process follows the same foundation — consultation, proposal, signed engagement letter, and retainer — with a few differences in the ongoing flow.
Once onboarded, you will receive recurring document requests through the portal on a monthly schedule. Clean, reconciled financials and reports are delivered through the portal by the agreed monthly deadline. Ongoing communication, approvals, and questions all happen through the portal as well. Your books are only as accurate as the information you provide — complete and timely document submissions each month keep everything on track.
THE CFO DISCOVERY PROCESS
Our Fractional CFO service is the most involved — and most selective — engagement we offer.
We work exclusively with businesses that have been operating for a minimum of two years and generating at least $500,000 in annual revenue. A fractional CFO relationship goes deep into your business, and onboarding requires a serious investment of time on both sides. We do not take on every client who inquires — and we think you would expect nothing less from an advisor operating at this level.
Every prospective CFO client begins with our CFO Discovery Process — a structured conversation where we review your financials, goals, team structure, and challenges together. This is not a sales call. It is a mutual evaluation. If we are the right fit, we move forward with a clear onboarding plan. If we are not, we will tell you directly — and refer you elsewhere where we can.
Once engaged, CFO onboarding includes a comprehensive financial assessment, reporting framework setup, KPI identification, and a structured 90-day onboarding plan. From there, monthly advisory meetings, cash flow reviews, and management reports are delivered on a set schedule through the portal.
CFO engagements are available to clients nationwide.
YOUR SECURE PORTAL
Everything lives in one place — documents, signatures, payments, messages, and delivered work. Your information is never sent by unencrypted email and never accepted by drop-off. The portal is available 24/7 from any device and is the fastest way to reach us and receive responses.
HOW WE COMMUNICATE
We return every call and respond to every message — and we ask that you give our process the same respect.
Portal messages and texts receive the fastest responses. Standard response time for all communication is 24–48 business hours. Phone calls are returned in the order they are received — one clear message is all you need. Multiple calls do not move you forward in the queue. When we are with a client in front of us, they have our full attention, just as you will when it is your turn. During peak season, January through April, responses may run toward the longer end of the window.
A FEW IMPORTANT NOTES
We don't verify — you confirm. We prepare every return and report based entirely on the information you provide. We do not independently verify accuracy or completeness. Ensuring your information is truthful and complete is your responsibility. Any penalties, interest, or liability resulting from inaccurate or incomplete information remains with you.
Audit support is separate. Our standard fees do not include IRS correspondence, audit support, or representation before any tax authority. If you receive a notice or are selected for audit, contact us immediately — these services are available under a separate agreement at an additional fee.
Amendments cost extra. If a return needs to be amended due to incorrect, incomplete, or late information provided after filing, that is a new billable engagement.
Extensions require a written request. We do not file extensions automatically. A written request is required. An extension gives you more time to file — not more time to pay. Estimated taxes are still due by the original deadline.
Ready when you are.
Every great engagement starts with a conversation. Schedule your consultation today — by Zoom or in person — and let's build something that works.