America’s CPA, a small professional tax preparation practice, found a way to increase capacity, reduce costs, and position itself for nonprofit focused expansion by switching from an on-premise software provider and 3rd party hosting, to a native cloud-based solution with CCH Axcess™ Tax Essentials.
Realizing existing pain points and turning those into opportunities
America’s CPA, a small tax preparation practice in Virginia led by owner Brad Jacobs, CPA, processes roughly 650 returns annually with just one full time employee and one seasonal worker. The firm prepares primarily individual 1040 returns, with additional S-Corp and nonprofit filings, and is now pivoting toward a long-term specialty in nonprofit bookkeeping and tax services.
Before transitioning to CCH Axcess Tax Essentials, the firm struggled with several limitations. Its previous desktop-based tax software required costly third-party cloud hosting, multiple logins when assessing data from previous tax years, and slow performance that disrupted workflows. The pay per return billing model also introduced inefficiencies and unpredictable costs – challenges that became more pressing as staff capacity shrank.
Switching from on-premise software to cloud-based software
Implementing CCH Axcess Tax Essentials quickly transformed operations. By eliminating per return billing friction and bundling Brad’s most frequently used forms – including 1040s, 1120 Ss, and 990s – the firm increased its annual return capacity by 38%, rising from roughly 400 returns to 650. As a fully cloud-based solution, the software also removed the need for external hosting, manual payment entries, and repeated portal logins, while improving speed, security, and overall user experience.
These efficiencies created new bandwidth for growth, and with fewer administrative disruptions and lower overhead, America’s CPA is now positioned to scale into a niche market centered on nonprofit bookkeeping and expanded 990 preparation services.
