Three reasons: predictability, incentive alignment, and cost savings. With hourly billing, you never know what your final bill will be until it arrives — and you might hesitate to call your CPA with questions because the clock is always running. With a fixed fee, you know exactly what you're paying every month, you're incentivized to reach out whenever you need guidance, and your CPA is incentivized to be efficient (not slow). Most annual engagement clients also find that the total annual cost is lower than what they'd pay hourly, because clean, up-to-date books reduce tax prep time dramatically.

Every aspect of our engagement is handled remotely — by design, not as an afterthought. Meetings are conducted via Google Meet video calls. Documents are exchanged through a secure digital upload (encrypted upload/download). Engagement letters, tax returns, and other documents are signed via e-signature. Tax returns are e-filed directly. You never need to visit an office, mail documents, or wait in a lobby. This isn't a compromise — it's how modern accounting should work.

Many bookkeepers simply sync your bank accounts to software and categorize transactions. That's data entry, not bookkeeping. A CPA performs true transactional-level reconciliation — matching every transaction to bank statements, catching duplicates and errors, identifying fraud or unauthorized charges, and building financial statements you can actually trust. Additionally, because a CPA understands tax law, your books are maintained in a way that maximizes deductions and minimizes errors come tax time. And critically: I work faster. My CPA training and 15+ years of experience mean what takes a typical bookkeeper 3-4 hours takes me a fraction of the time. Learn more about our bookkeeping approach →

Yes. While Schemmel CPA PLLC is based in North Carolina, our 100% remote model means we serve clients nationwide. I'm licensed as a CPA in both North Carolina (License #48502) and Missouri (License #2017006587), and I routinely handle multi-state filing obligations for clients operating in multiple jurisdictions. Whether you're in Raleigh, Kansas City, or anywhere else in the U.S., you'll receive the same level of service.

Schemmel CPA PLLC proudly offers discounts to military service members and veterans:

• 10% discount on all services for Active Duty military personnel
• 5% discount on all services for Veterans (non-active duty)
• $0 extension fee for deployed military members who cannot file on time due to deployment or assignment

These discounts apply to both fixed-fee annual engagements and stand-alone hourly services. Simply mention your military status during your initial consultation, and we'll apply the appropriate discount.

If you're on active deployment or military assignment and cannot gather your tax documents by the filing deadline, we handle the automatic extension filing for you — and we waive the $100 extension fee entirely. Your service to the country shouldn't come with a tax penalty or extra costs. Once you're able to provide your documents, we'll prepare and file your returns promptly.

My practice focuses on:

• Pass-through entities — S-Corporations (1120S) and Partnerships (1065)
• Single-member LLCs — Sole proprietors filing Schedule C
• Rental property owners — Schedule E filers with one or multiple properties
• C-Corporations — Corporate tax compliance (1120)
• Military-affiliated business owners — Active duty and veteran entrepreneurs

While I serve businesses across industries, these entity types and structures represent my core expertise and where I deliver the most value.

Getting started is simple:

1. Schedule a free consultation — Contact us by email, phone, or form and we'll set up a 1-hour Google Meet call.
2. Review your situation — During the call, we'll discuss your business, current tax setup, and which services you need.
3. Choose your engagement — Select a fixed-fee annual tier or stand-alone services based on your needs and budget.
4. Onboard digitally — E-sign your engagement letter, upload your documents to the secure upload, and we get to work.

The entire process is remote, efficient, and typically completed within 1–2 business days of your initial call.