"Since you are level 15, I am interested in hearing about your firm"

I started off working for a CPA firm that did quality work but was also known for its high prices.  Thirty years ago I started up doing my own thing.  That reputation of being expensive bothered me and I have over compensated over the years and work too cheap.  But preparing tax returns is just part of my gig.  We also do our fair share of auditing so I shift gears from tax to audit once that regular tax deadline hits.

Your thirst to find out what everyone else is doing doesn't really mean that much.  We all live in different areas and our clients often have different needs.  I could charge $25 for a tax return if I really wanted to and could probably make ends meet if I really needed to.  I live in a rural area and could probably live off the $25 return because I could fill up the freezer with fish and wild game instead of going to the grocery store.  Someone with a practice in downtown NY or LA aren't going to be able do that.  And besides, what are your real needs?  From dealing with clients over the years, I have learned that what someone considers a necessity changes as their income increases.  When you are making $25,000 a year, a new in '72 station wagon (with fake wood trim) is probably all you really need for transportation.  Someone making $250,000 could be thinking they wouldn't be caught dead in anything less than a brand new BMW.

So the moral of the story is, go do your thing and don't worry about what the other guy is doing.  I know years ago one of our competitors used to drive by our office at night to see if our lights were still on (his way of trying to determine how busy we were).  So do your thing and if your "thing" works for you I'll borrow from Nike and say "just do it".