Evans Sternau CPA — FAQ
Everything you want to know before hiring a CPA — pricing, how we work, what we handle, and what to expect from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers before
you begin.
We believe you should understand exactly who you're working with and what to expect before any engagement starts. Here's what clients ask most.
How it works
We start with an initial meeting to understand your tax history, business setup, and goals — no commitment required.
You'll get a written, fixed-fee proposal before any work begins. No surprises and no ambiguity about the investment.
After signing, we have an onboarding meeting and begin year-round advisory — not just at tax time.
Our fees are customized for every client based on the complexity and scope of work. As a baseline: individual tax returns start at $1,150, business returns start at $1,600, and monthly accounting services start at $300 per month. Factors that affect your final fee include the number of entities, state filings, transaction volume, and whether you engage us for year-round advisory or tax preparation alone. Because we price for strategy and outcomes — not just forms — every engagement begins with a clear, written proposal so you know exactly what your investment is before we start.
We use fixed, upfront pricing — you'll know the full cost of your engagement before any work begins. To build your proposal, we first gather complete information about your recent and current tax situation, and how your financials are managed if you own a business. Once you sign an engagement, we ask you to place a payment method on file. Monthly services are processed automatically at the beginning of each month, and tax return fees are processed when the work is completed.
Getting started is straightforward. First, complete the intake form on our website — click "Get Started" in the top right corner of our home page. From there, we begin with a data collection step and an introductory meeting to understand your situation — your tax history, how your business financials are managed, and what you're looking to accomplish. From there, we put together a written pricing proposal before any work begins. Once you sign the engagement, we schedule an onboarding call and walk you through exactly what to send us. Most clients are fully onboarded within a week or two of that first conversation.
The easiest way is through our secure online client portal, where you can upload documents from your computer or phone any time. For your security, please do not send sensitive documents like W-2s, 1099s, or Social Security numbers by regular email — the portal encrypts everything in transit.
Both. Our offices in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and The Woodlands serve clients who prefer to meet in person, but our entire process — document exchange, meetings, e-signatures, and payment — works fully remotely. We serve business owners across Texas and beyond, and many of our clients never set foot in an office. You get the same partner-level attention either way.
Year-round. Tax season is when returns get filed, but the decisions that actually move the needle — entity structuring, timing of income and deductions, retirement planning, mid-year projections — happen throughout the year. We build ongoing advisory into our engagements so you can reach us when something changes in your business, not just in April. Our goal is to be proactive partners, not reactive preparers.
Yes, and for most of our clients, that coordination is the whole point. Business and personal taxes are deeply connected — the decisions you make at the entity level affect your individual return, and vice versa. We handle both, and because the same team works across your full picture, we can make sure your strategy is consistent and nothing falls through the cracks.
We work across more than a dozen industries, with deep experience in real estate, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, dental practices, technology, and family offices, among others. Industry-specific tax strategy — like R&D credits for tech companies or entity structuring for real estate investors — is a core part of what we do. If you're not sure whether your industry is a fit, just reach out and we're happy to talk through it.
Outsourced CFO is designed for business owners who want financial leadership without the cost of a full-time hire. We provide financial dashboards, budget monitoring, cash flow forecasting, and regular strategic consultations so you always have a clear picture of where your business stands and where it's headed. It's a strong fit for growth-stage businesses that have outgrown basic bookkeeping but aren't yet ready for — or don't need — a dedicated in-house CFO.
Still have questions?
We're happy to talk through your situation before you commit to anything. Reach out and we'll get back to you within a business day.
Or call us directly at (832) 482-4240