--- title: Questions clients ask | Ashcombe & Reed description: Fees, deadlines, the portal and how we work, in plain English. --- [Skip to main content](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/faq#main-content) Next deadline: [extended individual returns, Oct 15 →](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/tax-calendar?hsLang=en) [Client portal](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/client-portal?hsLang=en)·[(212) 555-0148](tel:+12125550148) [**Ashcombe & Reed**Certified Public Accountants](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/home?hsLang=en) - Services Services - [Tax preparation & planningBusiness and personal returns, planned before year end.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/tax-preparation?hsLang=en) - [Bookkeeping & monthly closeReconciled books, closed by the 10th of every month.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/bookkeeping?hsLang=en) - [AdvisoryCash-flow forecasts, entity choices and a monthly review.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/advisory?hsLang=en) - [Audit & assuranceReviews, compilations and audits for lenders and boards.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/audit?hsLang=en) [All services](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services?hsLang=en) ![A partner meeting a client at a round table](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-for-accounting/images/photos/v5/v5-meeting-client-round-table.jpg?width=800&name=v5-meeting-client-round-table.jpg) Free consultation An hour with a partner, free. Bring last year's return. You leave with a written scope and a fixed fee. [Book a consultation](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/contact?hsLang=en) - Industries - [Dental & medicalPractice entities, owner pay, buy-ins.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries/medical-and-dental?hsLang=en) - [ConstructionJob costing and bonding statements.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [RestaurantsTips, payroll and food-cost reporting.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [NonprofitsForm 990, restricted funds, audits.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [Retail & tradesInventory, sales tax and seasonal cash.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [Real estateRentals, 1031 exchanges, depreciation.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) [All industries](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - Partners - [![](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-for-accounting/images/photos/partners/partners-01.jpg?width=96&name=partners-01.jpg) Eleanor AshcombeManaging partner · tax](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners/eleanor-ashcombe?hsLang=en) - [![](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-for-accounting/images/photos/partners/partners-06.jpg?width=96&name=partners-06.jpg) Daniel ReedTax partner · CPA, CFP](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners/daniel-reed?hsLang=en) - [![](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-for-accounting/images/photos/partners/partners-03.jpg?width=96&name=partners-03.jpg) Denise CarterAudit partner](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners/denise-carter?hsLang=en) - [![](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-for-accounting/images/photos/partners/partners-04.jpg?width=96&name=partners-04.jpg) Robert HaleAdvisory partner](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners?hsLang=en) [Meet the firm](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners?hsLang=en) - [Fees](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/fees?hsLang=en) - [Tax calendar](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/tax-calendar?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/blog?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/contact?hsLang=en) [Client portal](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/client-portal?hsLang=en) [Book a consultationBook now](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/contact?hsLang=en) - Services - [Tax preparation & planningBusiness and personal returns, planned before year end.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/tax-preparation?hsLang=en) - [Bookkeeping & monthly closeReconciled books, closed by the 10th of every month.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/bookkeeping?hsLang=en) - [AdvisoryCash-flow forecasts, entity choices and a monthly review.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/advisory?hsLang=en) - [Audit & assuranceReviews, compilations and audits for lenders and boards.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/audit?hsLang=en) [All services](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services?hsLang=en) - Industries - [Dental & medicalPractice entities, owner pay, buy-ins.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries/medical-and-dental?hsLang=en) - [ConstructionJob costing and bonding statements.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [RestaurantsTips, payroll and food-cost reporting.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [NonprofitsForm 990, restricted funds, audits.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [Retail & tradesInventory, sales tax and seasonal cash.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [Real estateRentals, 1031 exchanges, depreciation.](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) [All industries](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - Partners - [![](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-for-accounting/images/photos/partners/partners-01.jpg?width=96&name=partners-01.jpg) Eleanor AshcombeManaging partner · tax](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners/eleanor-ashcombe?hsLang=en) - [![](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-for-accounting/images/photos/partners/partners-06.jpg?width=96&name=partners-06.jpg) Daniel ReedTax partner · CPA, CFP](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners/daniel-reed?hsLang=en) - [![](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-for-accounting/images/photos/partners/partners-03.jpg?width=96&name=partners-03.jpg) Denise CarterAudit partner](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners/denise-carter?hsLang=en) - [![](https://www.nopethemes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/studionope-for-accounting/images/photos/partners/partners-04.jpg?width=96&name=partners-04.jpg) Robert HaleAdvisory partner](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners?hsLang=en) [Meet the firm](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners?hsLang=en) - [Fees](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/fees?hsLang=en) - [Tax calendar](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/tax-calendar?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/blog?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/contact?hsLang=en) [Client portal](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/client-portal?hsLang=en)[Book a consultation](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/contact?hsLang=en) [Client portal](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/client-portal?hsLang=en)[(212) 555-0148](tel:+12125550148) Questions # Answers before *you ask.* Fees, deadlines, the portal and how we work, in plain English. Can't find yours? A partner replies within one business day. [Ask a partner →](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/contact?hsLang=en) Questions ## Questions clients ask Search, or browse by topic. Anything else goes to your partner at the consultation. All Fees & billing Working with us Tax & deadlines Portal & security Search questions ### Fees & billing 4 questions How we price the work and when we bill it. #### How is the fee set? We quote a fixed fee before any work starts and write it into the engagement letter. The fee covers everything the letter lists, so a phone call or a quick question never turns up as an extra line on the invoice. #### When do you send invoices? Monthly clients are billed on the first of each month. Return-only clients get one invoice when the return is ready to sign. You can pay by bank transfer or card from the client portal. #### What if the work grows during the year? If you add a business, buy a rental or need a new state return, we send the new fee in writing before we start that work. You decide whether we go ahead. #### Is the first consultation free? Yes. The first hour with a partner is free, and you leave with a written scope and a fixed quote whether you hire us or not. ### Working with us 4 questions Who you deal with, and how quickly they reply. #### What happens at the first consultation? You meet the partner who would lead your file, at our New York or Montclair office or by video. We go through last year's return and what changed this year, then send an engagement letter with the fee within two business days. #### Who will I deal with day to day? One partner leads your file and one manager handles your documents and questions. You have both names, direct lines and email addresses from the first week. #### How quickly do you reply? Within one business day. During filing season, anything with a deadline attached gets an answer the same day. #### Can you take over from my current accountant mid-year? Yes. With your permission we request last year's returns and workpapers from your current firm, bring the books up to date and agree the fee for that catch-up separately in the letter. ### Tax & deadlines 4 questions Extensions, estimated payments and letters from the IRS. #### Can you file an extension for me? Yes. We file Form 4868 for individuals or Form 7004 for businesses before the deadline. An extension gives you more time to file, but any tax owed is still due on the original date, so we estimate it and send you the amount to pay. #### Do I need to make estimated tax payments? If you are self-employed, own a rental or have income with no withholding, you probably do. We work out the quarterly amounts with your return and send a reminder with the exact figure two weeks before each due date. #### I got a letter from the IRS. What should I do? Don't reply or pay yet. Upload every page to the portal and your manager will tell you within one business day what it means and what happens next. If we prepared that return, answering the notice is part of your fee. #### Which states do you file in? Every state where you or your business has a filing requirement. Most of our clients file in New York and New Jersey, and we handle the part-year and nonresident returns that come with moving or commuting between them. ### Portal & security 4 questions Where your documents live and who can open them. #### How does the client portal store my documents? Every file you upload is encrypted in transit and at rest, in a folder only you, your partner and your manager can open. Nothing travels as an email attachment. #### Do I need two-factor sign-in? Yes. The portal asks for a code from an authenticator app or a text message each time you sign in on a new device. Setting it up takes about a minute from the welcome email. #### How long do you keep my records? We keep returns and workpapers for seven years after filing, which covers the period the IRS can normally review. You can download your own copies from the portal at any time. #### Can my spouse or bookkeeper have access? Yes. Ask your manager to add them and choose whether they see everything or only the folders you pick. Each person signs in with their own account and their own two-factor code. No questions match Try a different word, or clear the filters to see everything. Clear filters ## Bring last year's return. We'll take it from there. A free hour with a partner. You leave with a written scope and a fixed fee. [Book a free consultation →](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/contact?hsLang=en)[Call (212) 555-0148](tel:+12125550148) [**Ashcombe & Reed**Certified Public Accountants](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/home?hsLang=en) CPAs for owner-run businesses and the families behind them. 118 West 27th Street, New York21 Church Street, Montclair Services - [Tax preparation](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/tax-preparation?hsLang=en) - [Bookkeeping](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/bookkeeping?hsLang=en) - [Advisory](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/advisory?hsLang=en) - [Audit](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/services/audit?hsLang=en) Industries - [Dental & medical](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries/medical-and-dental?hsLang=en) - [Construction](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [Restaurants](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) - [Nonprofits](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/industries?hsLang=en) Firm - [Partners](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/partners?hsLang=en) - [Fees](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/fees?hsLang=en) - [Tax calendar](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/tax-calendar?hsLang=en) - [Blog](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/blog?hsLang=en) Clients - [Client portal](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/client-portal?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/contact?hsLang=en) - [(212) 555-0148](tel:+12125550148) - [hello@ashcombe-reed.com](mailto:hello@ashcombe-reed.com) © 2026 Ashcombe & Reed, CPAs · Licensed in NY and NJ · AICPA member [Privacy](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/legal#privacy)·[Terms](https://www.nopethemes.com/tickmark/legal#terms) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "We quote a fixed fee before any work starts and write it into the engagement letter. 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