Mike Sylvester, CPA

I need to be the next IRS Commissioner...

We need a modernized, streamlined, effective Internal Revenue Service and a simpler income tax code that is easier to administer.

Upcoming Session on Selling Firms In this video, I’m sharing details about an upcoming session I’ll be running on June 19th at 1600 EST, focusing on preparing your firm for sale. This follow-on session builds on Elizabeth Rue's previo...

I am running a one hour session on selling your firm in the Collaboration Room at 16:00 on June 19th. I have sone a lot of consulting on this and have seen a lot of horror stories unfold.

This one minute Loom video tells you a little more.
www.loom.com/share/2da071...

Upcoming Marketing Session 🚀 In this video, I’m sharing details about an upcoming session I’ll be running in the collaboration room June 27th at 1 PM EST focused on our marketing funnel. Currently, we’re not investing in marketin...

I expect 600 or more potential new clients to contact my firm in 2025 with zero dollars spent. It is time to make changes!

www.loom.com/share/808f57...

Mastermind Insights for CPA Firms 🚀 In this video, I share insights from a recent mastermind group I led within The Collaboration Room, focusing on the common challenges CPA firms face. Most participants reported being two to four weeks...

www.loom.com/share/8e412d...

I ran a Mastermind group this last week.

Almost all of the firms in the group had the same problem. They are 2-4 weeks behind...

We discussed how to resolve it.

Attached is a three minute video about the best ways to deal with this problem.

Be overstaffed!

Comic Relief on Comfort Letters In this video, I share my frustrations about lenders expecting CPAs to write comfort letters without considering the implications. I recently received a request from a client for a comfort letter, and...

A less than one minute video about things many CPA's and EA's would like to tell lenders about "Comfort Letters."

www.loom.com/share/874054...

The Boomer Mike Camera Saga Hey there! In this video, I share my amusing experience trying to find a USB-C cable for my new Logitech camera. Despite my efforts, I ended up at multiple stores, only to find out they didn't have wh...

This is a two minute "Boomer Mike" story. It involved Amazon, a new camera, and a USB-C cable...

You should be able to make fun of yourself.

www.loom.com/share/18a91e...

Building a Thriving CPA Community 🌟 In this video, I introduce myself as Mike Sylvester, a CPA from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and share insights about my firm and The Collaboration Room, an online community for accounting professionals. We h...

Here is a fun, less than two minute video about the Collaboration Room.

www.loom.com/share/5ac428...

It is scary how few Americans understand how their Social Security benefits are calculated.

Mike Sylvester Mike Sylvester's stories. Mike Sylvester covers tax policy with a focus on small businesses.

Social Security is a program that too many people do not understand.

If you subscribe to Forbes check it out and if you like it follow me on Forbes.

Note I have no affiliation with Forbes, I am a Tax Contributor. I write two pieces a month and it is a blast!

www.forbes.com/sites/mikesy...

Your FRB email address?

We’re still matchmaking, #TaxSky #TaxBS 💘

@fortwaynecpa.bsky.social breaks it down in this video, but don’t blame him for the Cupid border. That was us. For the theme. For the drama. 😂

Sign up for the newsletter + get entered to win a free month inside TCR: manage.kmail-lists.com/subscription...

Marketing isn’t just about doing more, it’s about knowing what actually works.

In today’s TCR class, @fortwaynecpa.bsky.social shared how he tracks every campaign (even the old-school ones) to know what brings in the best clients.

Want in on the next one? Join TCR!

You don’t need a big ad budget to bring in clients. You just need the right system.

@fortwaynecpa.bsky.social’s Basic Marketing class is tomorrow at 12PM ET in TCR. He’s walking through what worked to bring in 530+ leads without paid ads.

Be there, #TaxBS #TaxSky!

#MarketingForAccountants

No fluff, just facts: scaling a firm is tough. @fortwaynecpa.bsky.social says it starts with a solid foundation. Clear processes, good software, and an efficient team.

Catch his feature in the 2025 Workflow Report by Financial Cents: financial-cents.com/2025-workflo...

I need to put something on them. Now that we have so much less paper in the office there is no doubt my office does not look the same as it used to.

We converted our file room into two offices next year.

I would be interested in cool bobbleheads...

Onboarding new clients without setting expectations? That is a fast pass to stress city.

@fortwaynecpa.bsky.social shared at his tax season recap why spotting errors early saves heartache later and how it’s reshaping his firm’s onboarding process.

Real talk for real results. #TaxSky #TaxBS

Mike Sylvester Mike Sylvester's stories. Mike Sylvester covers tax policy with a focus on small businesses.

I am a Forbes Tax Contributor. I have no affiliation with Forbes and write a couple of articles a month for Forbes.

Please follow me on Forbes:

www.forbes.com/sites/mikesy...

These are major errors. Loan to Shareholder of $300K due to basis issues. Intercompany loans not tying out. Loans never changing. Interest and principal not handled.

I cooked some killed Portuguese chicken for dinner. Karena gave it a 9 of 10...

I made enough for tomorrows Portuguese salad.

My wife's family is from New York and I have a lot of experience with them.

Bit New York is huge...

No I would more say being brash.

Many New Yorkers have a specific reputation.

I registered today. So did Karena...

We will get there late Wed night and leave at 3 PM Sunday...

Booked the hotel...

I need to find a Peloton or spin class... Or two...

I rode 240 miles on my Peloton this month...

Great for me during tax season.

I am impressed with myself...

We can hear thunder from the interior of our house...

Not every return is straightforward, and that’s okay.

In @fortwaynecpa.bsky.social's Mastermind, he shared how one new CPA reached out for help reviewing tough returns…and kept coming back.

Sometimes, the best move is asking someone who’s been there.

#TaxSky #TaxBS #AccountingCommunity

93rd day of last 95 days riding Peloton before work...

Thinking about starting a firm? The work is out there—but not all of it is worth taking.

In @fortwaynecpa.bsky.social’s New Firm Group, we broke down how to find quality clients, avoid the bad ones, and price right. Because just being busy isn’t the goal, being profitable is. #TaxSky

I put 11 returns out the door yesterday and isolated all day.

Unfortunately I need to average 6 a day to be done on April 12th at end of day.

I have a feeling I am working April 13th...

#TaxBS #TaxSky

Rode Peloton for 30 minutes before work today and was my personal best. Burned 302 calories and rode 8.92 miles. I have ridden 87 of 89 days since bike activated...

I had to take two days off due to one of my knees...

11 returns out the door yesterday.