From Nuclear Physics to Niche Tax Practice: Paul Kluskowski Journey
Your Host: Roger Knecht, president of Universal Accounting Center
Guest Name: Paul Kluskowski, EA
In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, host Roger Knecht has an insightful discussion with Paul Kluskowski, an experienced financial advisor and tax consultant with expertise spanning over 20 years.
They explore how Paul leveraged his diverse experience to build a successful tax and financial planning practice. Paul shares the story of how he made the transition into accounting and tax preparation services. After nearly a decade working in operations at a nuclear power plant, he returned to college to obtain a physics degree. Paul then became a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley where he ranked in the top tier before making the leap into tax services by earning his Enrolled Agent credential.
Roger and Paul discuss Paul’s valuable insights, strategies, and lessons around purchasing established tax practices, structuring win-win deals with retention clauses, building referral relationships, specializing in niche markets, developing efficient remote workflows, and effectively utilizing client portal technologies.
The catalyst for Paul’s transition was recognizing the high demand in the market and seizing the opportunity to add bookkeeping, accounting and tax services by becoming an Enrolled Agent. His story provides inspiration for professionals considering a switch into the accounting field later in their careers.
Based on lessons learned from two purchases, Paul shares recommendations around valuation, retention planning, obtaining past tax returns, and avoiding platform transfer issues.
Paul advocates for purchase terms with retention clauses and revenue thresholds to create wins for both buyers and sellers over the long term. These kinds of deals enable smooth transitions when buying remotely.
Paul understood the value of developing symbiotic referral relationships with professionals who provide complementary services. By establishing connections with a bankruptcy attorney and tax resolution specialist, Paul was able to benefit from steady sources of new client referrals. The bankruptcy attorney began regularly referring Paul to new clients who needed assistance getting their tax filings up to date.
Early in his career, Paul worked for almost a decade as a diesel mechanic. This hands-on industry experience gave him in-depth familiarity with tools and supply franchise models. So when the opportunity arose for Paul to acquire a tax practice with multiple Snap On Tools franchisee clients, he leveraged his unique background knowledge to quickly build rapport and craft tailored offerings.
By specializing in providing bookkeeping, tax preparation, and advisory services for franchisees in tool distribution, Paul and his team gained efficiencies through dealing with repetitive client situations. They were able to streamline and systematize their processes to enable smoother operations and higher profitability within this niche target market.
Paul highlights the game-changing capabilities of client portals coupled with tools like Quickbooks Online for smoothly exchanging documents and keeping projects on track in virtual engagements.
Paul Kluskowski’s unique professional background has fueled his ability to deliver specialized services in accounting and tax preparation for niche client groups. His insights around identifying opportunities, purchasing and building successful practices, leveraging referral networks, niching effectively, streamlining remote operations, and integrating technologies can help accounting professionals grow and enhance their own firms.
For more insights like this, subscribe and follow The Premier Accounting Firm podcast. Remember, if it’s about accounting it’s universal.
About Our Guest: Paul Kluskowski
Paul Kluskowski is an experienced financial advisor and tax consultant with expertise spanning over 20 years. As an Investment Specialist and EA (Enrolled Agent) at TR Financial Management Group, he helps nuclear power plant workers and self-employed clients achieve financial success.
Kluskowski began his career in the nuclear energy industry, obtaining his reactor operator license at the young age of 22 and advancing to Senior Reactor Operator by 25. After nine years working in plant operations, he left to pursue a college degree, earning a BA in Physics from Andrews University. Kluskowski then expanded his skillset into the financial sector as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, where he ranked in the top 10% of his peer group and earned multiple National Sales Awards. Today, he leverages his unique background to serve niche clientele through wealth management and tax preparation services. Kluskowski actively shares his expertise through publications like The Game Changer’s Guide to a Better Financial Life.
Sponsors:
- Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.
Offers:
Speak with Paul Kluskowski, EA. Reach out to him via Linkedin, mention this podcast and he’s happy to discuss with you the following:
- Purchasing a practice
- Creating a referral relationship
Become a Professional Tax Preparer, PTP. Get the training to offer quality tax planning and preparation services for individuals and businesses. Have the confidence and competence to do the work efficiently and profitably.
Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant’s library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today:
- “Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant’s guide to QUICK turnarounds” – the how-to-guide e-book for accounting professionals
- “in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable” – e-book
Learn what it is you can do to become an author, leveraging your expertise to market effectively your services and get the clients you deserve. This is a webinar you don’t want to miss. Learn from Mike Capuzzi what a Shook is and how you can use it to position yourself as the Premier Accounting Firm in your area. This is a must-see presentation so get ready to take some great notes.
In addition to becoming an author, see what you can do to follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals. After more than 40 years we’ve identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share. Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center.
For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE!
Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don’t want to miss.
Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal.
Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe.
Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have. We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback
For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777
