ProSeries® Tax spotlight: James P. Coco, CPA

Welcome to another accountant spotlight. Today, we’re talking with James P. Coco, CPA, owner of his firm in Medina, Ohio. James has been practicing for 31 years, and has been an Intuit® ProSeries® Tax customer for 27 years. An active member of the Intuit Accountants Community, James shares his views of ProSeries, a bit about his practice, and even what he did for his very first job.

Scott Cytron: James, thanks for participating in this spotlight. Can you please tell me a few ways ProSeries benefits your practice?

James Coco: Breaking into the tax preparation business in 1997, I learned to prepare income tax returns manually, but preparing tax returns in ProSeries allows me to see the income tax return being created as I enter the information. This approach reinforces my knowledge of tax law and how the income tax return should look. Using ProSeries also allows me to prepare a large number of returns. I have confidence in the program that the math is correct in the return, which allows me to concentrate on tax law and how it applies as I work on a return.

SC: Many tax accountants prefer to work with their clients remotely, but I understand you like seeing your clients in the office. Why?

JC: I have three monitors in my office and prepare all returns with my clients present. I find that by having my clients in person, they can answer any questions that may arise, and facilitates me to complete 95% of returns at one sitting without having to email or telephone clients for information on missing data. I have one of the three monitors facing my clients so they can see their return being built, mirroring one of my screens.

SC: How has your practice changed over the last 5 years?

JC: My practice centers around three major areas of concentration: individual income tax preparation, small business accounting and related business taxes, and payroll processing for my business clients. Over the last five years, I’ve continued to add new clients, mostly from referrals or from people doing a Google search for CPAs in the area.

SC: What is your vision for your firm going forward?

JC: Continue providing quality tax preparation to the community.

SC: What do you like to do in your spare time?

JC: I like to read business and tax news, analyze the stock market, run and lift some weights, and take one of my classic cars to local car shows.

SC: What was your first job?

JC: I was actually self-employed as a youngster. I had my own paper route, delivering papers to my neighborhood and making sure the papers were delivered in time. On Saturday mid-mornings, I would walk the route again, collecting the weekly subscription from my customers.

SC: If you were stranded on a desert island with access to only one kind of technology, what would it be and why?

JC: I’d have to say a desktop computer.. Even though I have a smartphone and a laptop, I find myself using my desktop computer more than anything; it’s about having large screens and a full-size keyboard.

SC: Thanks James!

Editor’s note: Would you like to be interviewed for a ProSeries or Accountant Spotlight? Send me an email and I’ll follow-up with you.