Get in touch / FAQs
Questions, answered.
The things people ask before they become clients — and after. If yours isn't here, the first conversation is free.
Working with Xel.
Getting startedWhat happens in the free consultation?
Thirty minutes with a member of our team — we review your situation, flag what we'd do differently, and quote a scope. No obligation, and you keep the advice either way.
Do I have to use every Xel service?
No. Most clients start with one thing — usually the tax return or the books — and add services when it makes sense. The integration is there when you want it.
How does onboarding work?
You get a portal link, a document checklist, and a named team. We pull prior-year returns, set up access, and confirm the calendar. How long that takes depends mostly on how quickly records come across.
Who will I actually work with?
A named team led by a partner, so you are not re-explaining your situation. Calls and messages go to your team, not a queue.
Can I work with you if I'm not near an office?
Yes — we serve clients in all 50 states through our virtual office: secure portals, e-signatures, and video reviews.
Can you take over from my current accountant mid-year?
Yes — we request the file, reconcile what's been done, and take the handoff from there. Mid-year switches are routine.
Pricing, taxes & deadlines.
Money questionsHow is pricing set?
Pricing is agreed before work starts, so the invoice is never a surprise. Most engagements are flat and scoped; some work fits an hourly rate better, and where it does we say so and give you the expected range first.
What documents do you need for my tax return?
Your portal checklist covers it: prior-year return, income forms, and the records for anything new — a closing statement, a K-1, a brokerage summary. Photograph or upload; no shoebox required.
What if I'm behind — multiple years of returns?
Common, fixable, and judgment-free. We sequence the years, handle penalty abatement where available, and get you current.
Can you help with an IRS or state notice?
Yes — send it through the portal before you respond to anything. Most notices are resolvable with the right paper trail.
Do you handle multi-state taxes?
Every day — remote employees, part-year moves, businesses selling into many states. It's one of the most common reasons clients come to us.
Books, payroll, wealth & security.
The detailsDo you work in QuickBooks Online?
Yes — QBO is our standard. We'll migrate you from desktop, spreadsheets, or another bookkeeper, and you keep ownership of your file.
Which payroll platforms do you support?
ADP, Gusto, Paychex, and SurePayroll — we run the platform you're already on, or recommend one if you're starting fresh.
Is Xel's wealth management fiduciary?
Yes — investment advice comes through Xel Wealth Management, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser held to the fiduciary standard.
Is there an investment minimum?
No hard minimum — engagements start with a financial plan, and we'll tell you plainly if a full engagement isn't worth the fee yet.
How secure are the portals?
Bank-grade encryption in transit and at rest, per-engagement access control, and IRS-compliant e-signature. Lost your link? Call or email and we resend it for you.