How One CPA Tripled Revenue While Cutting 85% of Clients

A Shift from Tax Preparation to True Advisory

For more than 25 years, Matt DePretis has led DePretis CPAs, a San Francisco Bay Area firm serving small business owners. His eight-person team focuses exclusively on entrepreneurs—clients who bring complexity and opportunity to tax planning.

In recent years, Matt reshaped his firm from handling hundreds of clients to working with just over 100. While the client list shrank, revenue tripled. The key? A focus on deeper advisory services like tax optimization, rather than commoditized tax returns.

The Challenge: Delivering Fresh, Advanced Strategies

Even before adopting TaxPlanIQ, DePretis CPAs offered tax planning. But the team often struggled to generate new, high-value ideas year after year.

“Sometimes there are easy things you can do to save on taxes,” Matt recalls. “Sometimes there’s not a lot. And our whole point of our business is to bring value. We want to bring more value to our client than they’re paying us.”

Without a reliable resource for advanced strategies, delivering consistent value felt like an uphill climb.

The Solution: TaxPlanIQ as a Trusted Strategy Database

At an AICPA Engage conference, Matt discovered TaxPlanIQ. His reaction was immediate:

“I met Jackie Meyer, and what she showed me, I was like, oh my gosh, you’ve solved it. I’d been looking for this for so long.”

Today, DePretis CPAs uses TaxPlanIQ primarily as a strategy database—drawing on curated tax-saving ideas, preferred partner connections, and supporting IRS case law. The software equips Matt’s team to confidently present options and explain them clearly to clients.

The Impact: Options, Peace of Mind, and Better Service

With TaxPlanIQ, Matt’s firm can present multiple strategies—even when few are implemented. Clients see the full spectrum of possibilities, which builds trust and reassurance.

“Clients want options. Even if they don’t take them, they want to know they’re getting the very best tax ideas. Sometimes they’ll pick two and save the rest for later. What we’re really giving them is peace of mind.”

The benefits extend beyond clients. By focusing on advisory work instead of endless tax returns, DePretis CPAs has reduced burnout and improved employee satisfaction. During the last tax season, the entire firm averaged just 39.5 hours per week—a stark contrast to industry norms.

“When you have staff that are well-rested and love their job, clients get great service,” Matt emphasizes.

For Matt himself, the shift has been transformative. He now works about 30 hours a week year-round—without sacrificing growth or client impact.

Looking Ahead: Why Tax Planning Is the Future

Matt is clear about where the profession is headed: “Tax planning is the future. By adding it, you can take on fewer clients, work with only the ones you want, and provide better service. Everyone wins.”

With TaxPlanIQ, DePretis CPAs has the tools to deliver that future—helping clients reduce taxes, gain clarity, and sleep better at night.
And for firms looking to make the same leap, TaxPlanIQ makes it possible to create high-value, customized tax plans in minutes.

Discover how TaxPlanIQ can help your firm. Sign up for a complimentary demo today.

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Your Discount is 10% OFF any TaxPlanIQ plan.

Your Discount is 10% OFF any TaxPlanIQ plan.

Your Discount is 10% OFF any TaxPlanIQ plan.

How One CPA Tripled Revenue While Cutting 85% of Clients

A Shift from Tax Preparation to True Advisory

The Challenge: Delivering Fresh, Advanced Strategies

The Solution: TaxPlanIQ as a Trusted Strategy Database

The Impact: Options, Peace of Mind, and Better Service

Looking Ahead: Why Tax Planning Is the Future

Ready to see what it can do for your firm?

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