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Supporting a Chicago-Based CPA Firm Through Tax Season
10
Dec
Client Background
A mid-sized CPA firm based in Chicago, founded in 2005, specializing in tax advisory services for high-net-worth individuals. With a team of over 50 professionals serving more than 500 clients, the firm had built a strong reputation. Yet each tax season brought overwhelming pressure: long hours, missed deadlines, and exhausted staff.
Business Challenge
Each filing season revealed the same pain points:
- Overworked team: Routinely working 60+ hours per week, including weekends.
- Missed deadlines: Delayed filings leading to client dissatisfaction.
- High payroll costs: Nearly 45% of revenue spent on salaries, making local hiring unsustainable.
- Burnout risk: Declining morale and stalled growth plans.
Burnout risk: Declining morale and stalled growth plans.
Caramel Advisors’ Solution
We focused not only on cost savings but on reducing stress and creating capacity for growth
Step 1: Prioritize quick wins
Introduced an offshore team to take over payroll and compliance tasks
Step 2: Map core vs. non-core processes
Map core vs. non-core processes
Step 3: Deploy a secure, compliant team
Implemented a SOC 2–compliant offshore team for reporting work.
Step 4: Ensure staff buy-in
Conducted joint workshops to ease concerns and smooth integration
Results Achieved
The impact was immediate and sustainable:
Results Achieved
The impact was immediate and sustainable:
45% savings in operational costs
38% faster reporting turnaround.
Ability to support 40% more clients without adding staff
Improved agility to match startup pacing.
Client Testimonial
Our partner’s expertise illuminated blind spots and propelled us forward
CFO , New York Accounting Firm