Fellow Big 4 partners who have switched to using outside tax advisor (instead of your firm’s) ... What benefits have you experienced? One of my family acquaintances has his own practice for high net worth, S corp and Big4 partners/MDs. That makes me wonder if it is worth switching from my firm’s no cost services. I am a California resident and believe my tax situation is similar to most early/mid level Big4 partners (primary and rental home with mortgages, foreign property, wife’s income etc)...

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Firm’s tax people operate with the firm’s interests in mind. A private CPA operates with your best interests in mind. When I switched my CPA refilled my previous three returns and I got 20-30k back from each year. This was when I was a new partner.

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Following as I am in similar situation. Partners who use other tax advisors told me that our internal tax service folks are very very conservative and we end up paying more taxes than we should. Not sure if it’s true

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Outrageously conservative, but I still use the Firm just for convenience.

Sure

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I have been at 2 big 4 firms and have always used external tax preparation and financial advisory services. I recently retired and in comparing my knowledge and preparation for retirement with others who relied solely on firm resources, I am grateful for having external advice for many years.

smart

I get much better service from using an outside firm that I did from using my firm. The outside firm charges me half as much as my firm did. So after the imputed tax value it comes out about the same.

Have now been at 2 Big 4s and have always used an outside tax advisor with our best interests at heart. Worth every single penny.

Partner 1 & 2 - Would be able to share your tax advisor contact information if I DM you?

Thanks all! Looks like its time for me to move away from firm provided Tax services

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