How an Online CPA Firm Works, and How to Choose One

A growing share of people now work with a CPA they never meet in person. You upload documents, sign forms electronically, and meet by video. Done well, an online CPA firm is faster and easier to work with than a local office. Done poorly, it is a return preparer you cannot reach. Here is how to tell the difference.

What working with an online CPA firm looks like

• Pricing up front. You see a price range or a fixed quote before you commit. Good firms publish tools that let you estimate the cost yourself.
• Online onboarding. You complete an intake form, sign an engagement letter electronically, and grant access to the documents the CPA needs.
• Secure document upload. You send tax forms and statements through a secure portal, never as email attachments.
• Video meetings. Planning calls and return reviews happen by video, at a time that suits you.
• E-signature and e-filing. You review your return online, sign the IRS e-file authorization (Form 8879), and the firm files electronically.

Can an online CPA handle my state?

For tax returns, yes. A firm can prepare returns for any state, and federal tax rules are the same everywhere. State licensing rules for CPAs generally let a CPA licensed in one state serve clients in other states under mobility rules. What matters more is whether the firm knows your state's rules: income tax, sales tax, payroll registration, and any city taxes. Ask how many clients they serve in your state.

Five things to check before you hire one

• A real CPA license. Ask for the CPA's name and the state that licensed them, then check it on the state board's website or CPAverify.org.
• Who does the work. Find out who prepares your return, who reviews it, and who you can contact with questions.
• Representation rights. CPAs can represent you before the IRS with a power of attorney (Form 2848). Ask whether audit and notice support is included or extra.
• Clear scope and price. You should know what is included, what costs extra, and when you will be billed.
• Security. The firm should use a secure portal and multi-factor sign-in, and should never ask for your Social Security number by plain email.

Red flags

• A fee based on the size of your refund.
• A promise of a bigger refund than anyone else can get.
• A preparer who will not sign the return or does not have a PTIN. The IRS calls these "ghost preparers."
• Pressure to sign a blank or incomplete return.
• No way to reach the person who prepared your return after it is filed.

How OICPA works

OICPA is an online CPA firm serving clients in all 50 states. You can price most services yourself with our instant pricing tool, see what tax strategies could save with free calculators like the Owner Tax Planner, and start any service online from its service page. A CPA reviews every engagement, and you work with the same team all year, by video and secure upload.

Browse all services or see all free tax calculators.

Frequently asked questions

Will I ever need to meet my CPA in person?

No. Every step, including onboarding, document upload, meetings, signatures, and filing, can be done online.

How do I send tax documents securely?

Through the firm's secure client portal. Do not send Social Security numbers, tax forms, or bank statements by regular email.

Can an online CPA represent me if the IRS audits me?

Yes. A CPA can represent you before the IRS with a signed power of attorney on Form 2848, whether the audit happens by mail, by phone, or in person.

How is the price set?

A good online firm gives you a fixed quote after reviewing your situation. Many services can be estimated before you talk to anyone. At OICPA, the pricing tool gives an instant starting price.

What if I live in a state with no income tax?

You still file a federal return, and your state may have other taxes, such as a franchise tax, gross receipts tax, or sales tax, that apply to your business. An online CPA should handle those as well.