Dawn James, CPA & Co., P.A.Schedule a Consultation
Engagements

Clear, flat engagements. Built for long‑term partnerships.

You'll know exactly what you're paying before any work begins — and the fee won't change because you asked a question in July.

Founder

From $1,200/ year

For early‑stage founders and solo entrepreneurs.

New LLCs, side businesses turning real, and consultants ready for a CPA who actually plans ahead.

Included

  • Federal & Maryland personal return
  • Schedule C or single‑member LLC return
  • Estimated tax planning
  • Entity & structure consultation
  • Year‑end planning call
  • Email access to your advisor year‑round

Not included

  • — Monthly bookkeeping
  • — Multi‑owner business returns
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Most clients

Growing Business

From $4,800/ year

For established small businesses ready to grow with intention.

Owner‑operators of LLCs, S‑corps, and partnerships who want bookkeeping, business tax, and personal tax under one roof.

Included

  • Everything in Founder
  • Monthly bookkeeping & reconciliation
  • Business return (1120‑S or 1065)
  • Owner K‑1 coordinated with personal return
  • Quarterly business review
  • Reasonable compensation review (S‑corp)
  • 1099 preparation & filing
  • Direct phone access to your advisor

Not included

  • — Payroll (optional add‑on)
  • — Audit preparation
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Advisory & Coaching

From $9,500/ year

For growth‑stage owners who want a true business partner.

Established businesses scaling team, locations, or revenue — and owners who want strategic coaching alongside the books and the returns.

Included

  • Everything in Growing Business
  • Monthly advisor strategy calls
  • Cash flow forecasting & reserves
  • Payroll services included
  • Annual business valuation refresh
  • Pricing & profitability reviews
  • Hiring & expansion planning
  • Coordination with attorneys, bankers, advisors
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Final fees are confirmed in writing after a short intro call. Pricing reflects typical engagements; complex situations (multi‑state, prior‑year cleanup, M&A support, nonprofit audit prep) are scoped individually.

How engagements work

You're paying for an outcome, not a stopwatch.

Hourly billing rewards slow work and quietly punishes you for asking questions. Flat annual engagements do the opposite — and they make true advisory relationships possible.

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Flat fees, scoped up front

Before any work begins, you get a written engagement for the year. No hourly meters, no surprise invoices — if a 30‑minute call helps you make a better decision, that's the point.

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Priced on value, not hours

What matters isn't how long the return takes. It's that the strategy is right, the books are clean, and you have someone to call. The fee reflects the outcome — not a stopwatch.

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Steady year over year

Pricing only changes when your business meaningfully changes — new entity, new location, new complexity. Otherwise, what you pay this year is what you pay next year.

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One firm, one invoice

Bookkeeping, payroll, business returns, and personal returns are bundled. No separate bills, no piecing things together across providers.

Common questions

A few things owners usually ask.

What if my business changes mid‑year?+
If something meaningful happens — you add a partner, open a location, raise capital, or pivot the model — we'll re‑scope before doing the additional work. Small questions and check‑ins are always included.
Do you charge for phone calls and emails?+
No. The flat engagement covers all the regular back‑and‑forth. The whole point is that you don't hesitate to reach out — that's where the best advisory work happens.
What about prior‑year cleanup or amended returns?+
Scoped separately, but quoted up front. If reviewing your last two years turns up missed deductions or untracked entities, Dawn will tell you what amending would cost and what you'd likely recover.
When are fees due?+
Half at engagement, half when the year's work is filed. For business clients on monthly bookkeeping or coaching engagements, fees are billed monthly via ACH.
Is there a minimum engagement?+
Our practice is built around long‑term relationships. We're not the right fit for one‑off, lowest‑cost filings — but there's no multi‑year contract either.
Next step

Build your business with a financial partner invested in your success.

A short consultation, a clear scope, and a written engagement for the year ahead. No pressure.

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