Day: February 20, 2018

John Wood, C.P.A., Offers Trusted Tax Preparation & Accounting Services

Whether it’s tax preparation, IRS audits and other tax resolutions or small business accounting services, John S. Wood, C.P.A., P.A., in Tampa Palms, is here to help you.

Whether you’re a small or emerging business, an individual or a pass-through entity like an S-Corporation or Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), John S. Wood, C.P.A., P.A. can help you navigate the ever-changing tax codes and if necessary, negotiate with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on your behalf.

“Tax laws change every year and the code can be complex, especially if you have multiple investments,” Wood says. “In the case of negotiating a tax debt, I can speak directly with the IRS on behalf of a client and can help get the problem resolved, so they can move on with their lives.”

He also says that the IRS can put liens on property and levy bank accounts.

“The IRS has access to every database known to man,” Wood says. “Once they start actions, they don’t go away. But, once a client comes to me, they don’t have to deal with the IRS anymore.”

Wood’s firm offers “rescue” services for taxpayers who owe back taxes. The firm offers guidance, representation and can help the client get into an installment agreement that will sometimes get the IRS to accept less than the original tax bill.

“As small business owners, we do so much by ourselves. One place we don’t want to mess around with is taxes and the IRS,” says Brandon Diehl of STRATIX Marketing. “It was beyond easy to work with John, he double checks everything and as a business owner, he’s invaluable to me. Even if you keep your own books, it’s good to have a C.P.A. you can call.”

Looking Back…& Forward, Too

Wood, whose office is located in the Palm Lake Office Building off Amberly Dr. in Tampa Palms, remembers a time when life in the area was a bit more simple. He moved to the New Tampa area in 1987 and graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Accounting in 1997.

“When I moved to the area, there was barely anything between Skipper Road and S.R. 54,” Wood says. “The area has developed a lot. There’s more diversity, which is a positive aspect, and the impact of technology on our lives has changed the way we do business.”

When Wood started in the business more than 21 years ago, he says that much of the client interaction was face-to-face. Clients would bring in the proverbial, “shoebox” of receipts and sit down across a desk from Wood. It’s not to say those types of interactions don’t exist anymore, but they are certainly much rarer today.

“It’s transitioning to a virtual practice these days,” Wood says. “Accounting trends like cloud-based software as well as new programs and applications make it so that I actually see less and less of clients. The old days when I’d get people’s bank statements in the mail are gone.”

New Tech, Old Time Service

Wood also says that new technologies are helping to streamline the process for both tax preparation and accounting services.

Quickbooks has been around since the early 2000s but can now be integrated into online platforms that a C.P.A. like Wood can share in real time with a client. Wood says he also started using an application called Hubdoc this past year. Hubdoc can automatically pull your bills and bank statements into one secure hub. Wood can then access the hub and get all pertinent financial information that he needs to provide service to a client.

“A lot of the manual processes of accounting and bookkeeping have been eliminated by this technology,” Wood says.

Hubdoc, coupled with the LogMeIn application, streamlines the process even further. LogMeIn allows C.P.A.s like Wood to remotely access his own or his client’s computer. Wood has been able to utilize the technology for the last five years.

“The screens pop up on my computer just like they were on my client’s,” Wood says. “We’ll actually take turns using the mouse; the technology is amazing.”

The remote access can save clients a significant amount of time and help them negotiate financial programs like Quickbooks or even the IRS website.

With 90 to 95 percent of Wood’s business coming in via digital or electronic submissions, it slashes preparation time and can give hands-on assistance to a client without even being in the same room.

Do You Still Need A CPA?

There are several other reasons why a client would want to use a C.P.A. and not try to file their taxes themselves. The biggest one? Money.

“I’ve had clients where I’ve amended previous tax returns for them and gotten them a bigger refund,” Wood says. “Part of bringing a new client on board is that I’ll review their previous year’s tax return.”

He also says that he often finds credits and deductions on clients’ previous tax returns that they missed when they filed themselves.

“Credits are a dollar-for-dollar reduction of what you owe, while deductions lower your taxable income,” Wood said. “The layperson is not aware of many of these.”

Did you send a child to college last year? There’s an education credit you can use. Even if you run a small business, Woods’ services could help make it run more efficiently.

“Businesses need much more than an individual,” Wood said. “You’ll need a profit/loss statement and something to keep track of it. You’ll need to put it in a format that’s properly classified to fit it on your tax return.”

Wood also provides value to your business by managing assets, measuring, processing and combining financial information. Making a profit is essential to any business. At John S. Wood C.P.A., P.A., customers get what they need to measure their financial results so that they can take appropriate action to maximize their businesses’ profits.

“John’s services have been an absolute asset to my company,” says Loren Staker of West Coast Water Tech. “He’s done wonders, he’s kept me up to date on changes in the tax law…I could go on and on. He’s a friend and business associate and I would recommend him to anyone. As long as I’m in business, he’s my accountant.”

Wood offers free consultations and brings back a bit of the interaction lost in technology.

Now is the busy time of year, he says, estimating that 65 percent of his business comes in between January and the end of April. Beyond that, his services extend year-round for individuals who have filed extensions or businesses that have quarterly payroll and sales tax reports.

Wood says he likes to rely on word-of-mouth advertising, although he admits that he has been an avid Neighborhood News reader himself since the beginning.

“Most of our new business comes from referrals,” he says.

Whether it’s tax preparation, tax resolution or small business accounting services, John S. Wood C.P.A., P.A. is here for you. His office is located at 15310 Amberly Dr, in Tampa Palms, and he can be reached at (813) 514-2920 or you can visit JWoodCPA.com .

CPA John Wood

Wesley Chapel Community Responds To ‘What New Business Do You Want?’

City Investors, INC- Vulcan- 2200 Westlake

In pretty much every issue of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, we tell you what’s new and what businesses are coming to our area. That’s because pretty much every time we’re putting together an issue, there’s something else new, and something else coming.

We know you love it. We can tell.

When we post on Facebook that a new restaurant is coming, our readers like it and share it more than any of our other posts.

But, even with all the growth we’re seeing in Wesley Chapel, it seems there’s room for more.

When Marilyn Chick, a Wesley Chapel resident for 19 years, posed a simple question on the Wesley Chapel Community page on Facebook last month, Marilyn had no idea that people would comment on it more than 1,000 times.

“What new businesses would you like to see come to Wesley Chapel?”

“I was so surprised,” Marilyn says, “It’s the first time I’ve ever posted something on Facebook that got that kind of response.”

Facebook statistics show that, although the post itself had only 30 “likes,” the comments the post generated got about 2,300 “likes,” and about 7,400 people viewed the original post.

Scrolling through the comments, it’s easy to see a big trend. Most of the responses say, “Trader Joe’s,” “Whole Foods,” “Fresh Market,” or some combination of the above, with plenty of “Aldi” thrown in there, too.

Besides the requests for green grocers, many posts asked for specific restaurants.

Cheesecake Factory… Carrabba’s… PF Chang’s… More places like Buttermilk Provisions and Capital Tacos… Friendly’s… Einstein Brothers Bagels… Even Cici’s Pizza, Steak ’n Shake and White Castle.

“I get it,” says Marilyn. “Everyone has an idea of what they want, what they haven’t had in a while and (especially) what they’re hungry for.”

And, of course, there were some tongue-in-cheek responses, like this one from Krista Davidson, poking a little fun at the Fucillio Kia on S.R. 54, “A car dealership where the salesmen stand outside in red shirts.”

There also were plenty of responses saying, “no more!,” like this one, from Rusch Jason, which says, “No new businesses. If anything, they need to slow down growth until the roads catch up!!!!”

All those posts didn’t answer the bigger question Marilyn says she was really searching for. “I’ve retired as a radiology nurse from the Zephyrhills hospital, so I’m looking for something to do,” Marilyn explains. “My daughter, Maxine, and I are thinking about starting a business.”

Marilyn says neither she nor her daughter cook, so a restaurant is out of the question.

But, in the hundreds of suggestions, she says she found a few that resonate with her, especially the ones that suggested a community center and something for kids.

“It would be so nice to have something for the performing arts,” she says, which was suggested in a few comments. “We have a lot of sports, which is great, but there are other kids who would love to be in a play, or have a place to play their instruments.”

Marilyn says she doesn’t consider herself to be an entrepreneur, but admits, “we’re thinking about it and looking at what would fit best for us” as she moves forward and hopes to open a business here in Wesley Chapel.

She has plenty of suggestions to consider.

And, don’t worry, we’ll still be sure to tell you when that Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods or Aldi finally opens in Wesley Chapel.

Communication, Education Keys To Comprehensive Care at Ferrera Dental

General & cosmetic dentist Dr. Robert Ferrera of Ferrera Dental Care, located just off BBD Blvd.

If you’re coming in for an appointment at Ferrera Dental Care, located just off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., south of E. Bearss Ave., be prepared to use your mouth — and not just to “open wide.”

General and cosmetic dentist Robert Ferrera, D.D.S., believes that effective, two-way communication is key to achieving excellent results.

“I know it sometimes drives my staff crazy because they are looking at the appointment books,” Dr. Ferrera says, “but I always like to have a conversation with my patients before we start any kind of procedure.”

Those conversations help familiarize the patient with their dentist, which helps build the kind of patient-doctor relationship that makes any local practice thrive. As a result, Dr. Ferrera has had some clients who have been with him for most of his 30-year career, like Bob Cornett.

“I have known Dr. Ferrera for many years, in fact I was his first patient,” Cornett says. “Over the years, I’ve been blessed to have been associated with him. I can’t say enough for the respect I have for Dr. Ferrera and his entire staff. I’m there every three months, and have been doing this for many years.”

The initial conversation also helps Ferrera ascertain what the patient is or is not doing that could be causing his or her problem. Oftentimes, it’s not something quite as simple as forgetting to brush your teeth. Permanent and full mouth damage can be caused by certain habits that patients develop, sometimes unbeknownst to them.

“Most people who come in needing full mouth rehabs did the damage to their teeth unintentionally,” Dr. Ferrera says.

Full mouth rehabs are a specialty at Ferrera Dental.

Teeth grinding is one of the leading causes for patients requiring full mouth rehabilitation. Dr. Ferrera says that grinding is not only something people do while sleeping, but something they also may be doing while they are wide awake.

Having a conversation with patients prior to a procedure can reveal clues about the causes of other dental/mouth issues. Whatever the solution, a friendly, familiar environment is provided where the patient can relax, even when undergoing an otherwise uncomfortable procedure. (Don’t worry, though — Dr. Ferrera’s office offers sedation dentistry for patients who want it.)

“Full mouth rehabs are not just problems with your teeth, it’s where the uppers and lowers don’t fit together properly anymore,” Ferrera says. “The work is partially cosmetic, but we give patients function they haven’t had before.”

It’s not an overnight process, Dr. Ferrera says. There’s a strategic approach that he takes in order to start moving forward in the treatment process, using implants, crowns, bridges and veneers. Sometimes, if the case warrants it, Ferrera will refer a patient to one of the orthodontic specialists or oral surgeons he has worked with before.

“I try to work with specialists who have worked with me for a long time, so we can get the result the patient wants in the long run,” Dr. Ferrera says. “Some of these specialists I refer patients to have worked with me for 15 to 20 years.”

That familiarity helps Ferrera Dental maintain a level of consistency. This is especially important when it comes to patients who require ongoing treatments.

“I happen to be one of those individuals that needed extensive dental work,” Cornett says. “Dr. Ferrera not only diagnosed my problems, but set me up with the appropriate surgeons to have the surgeries performed. After the surgeries, he took care of all the dental fixtures that were required.”

Continuing Education & New Technology

Even though Dr. Ferrera says he has been a practicing dentist for more than 30 years, he never stops learning.

While the State of Florida requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years, Ferrera says he takes 60 hours every two years. At each course or seminar, he says he looks for at least one new piece of information that he can apply to his practice.

“Technology and procedures are constantly changing and evolving,” he says.

Cerec Restoration is one of those developing technologies. Cerec is a dental restoration system that allows dentists to produce and place custom-fitted ceramic dental restorations using a variety of computer-assisted technologies.

Ferrera got involved with Cerec in 2009, during the nationwide economic downturn. Domestic laboratories were raising prices for lab work and many dentists turned to sending crowns offshore to keep costs down. “I never wanted to send anything offshore,” Dr. Ferrera says. “I realized that I could control my costs by using the Cerec machine.”

Today, instead of multiple appointments and sometimes a weeks-long process, Dr. Ferrera can now create and place a crown in only one day.

There are two parts to the Cerec machine. The first uses two tiny cameras to map a 3-D image of the patient’s tooth or mouth.

The information is sent to a second machine that processes the information and mills a piece of porcelain right there in the office. The system can be used to produce any permanent, single-tooth ceramic restoration, including crowns, veneers, onlays and inlays.

A Hometown Guy

Ferrera has deep roots in the Tampa Bay community.

He graduated from Tampa Catholic High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the University of South Florida.

He graduated at the top of his class in 1985 from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry in Columbus, with his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree. His first job upon returning to Tampa after college was with the late Dr. Richard Valdes, who had an office in northeast Tampa near what is now Florida Hospital Tampa on BBD.

Ferrera’s father, Robert, worked at the American Canning Company in Tampa until the plant closed down and shipped production overseas. Robert Sr. then got a job as a security officer at Avila. It was there that he met Dr. Valdes, one of the few residents the elder Ferrera felt was gracious and down-to-earth. One day, Ferrera’s father waved down Valdes and asked him to counsel his son.

“I was very fortunate (Dr. Valdes) chose me,” Ferrera says. “I see him as my mentor. If there’s anything I’m good at, it’s because of him.”

Dr. Ferrera worked in an associate position for Valdes for seven years, until his mentor passed away in 1991. By then, Ferrera was already involved in the Temple Terrace Rotary Club. He would soon team up with his friend and neighbor Bill Leonard (as well as Tom Wade) to help create the Rotary Club of New Tampa in 1995, which still meets Fridays at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club.

Ferrera has held every chair position in the Rotary Club of New Tampa with the exception of president.

Participation in community events attracted Ferrera to other organizations, like the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago & Sant’ Yago Foundation, and the Rough Riders, which both are part of Gasparilla.

The Sant’ Yago Foundation connected Ferrera — whose grandfather was from Spain and grandmother was from Cuba — to his Latin roots. The foundation provides full-ride scholarships to 22-25 junior and senior students at USF, the University of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College who are of Hispanic origin.

Ferrera joined the Rough Riders in 2017. The Rough Riders are a 501(c)(3) non-profit group whose members dress in regalia reminiscent of U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, who camped in Tampa on their way to Cuba during the Spanish-American War. In addition to participating in Gasparilla, they organize their own Saint Patrick’s Day in Ybor City and go on teddy bear runs, delivering plush toys to children in hospitals; they also visit veterans in VA hospitals.

Ferrera has lived in Tampa Palms with his family for the last 26 years. His wife Cheri manages the accounting department at Ferrera Dental and his daughter Morgan runs the office. Dental hygienists Diantha Higdon and Marie Crenshaw each have 20 years each of experience, as does dental assistant Lisa Snow, who works the front desk.

“I can actually say I look forward to my visits,” Cornett says. “If you’re looking for a dentist with exceptional skill and compassion, give his office a ring.”

Ferrera Dental Care will celebrate its 20th anniversary at its 15047 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. location in March. For more information, call (813) 558-6684 or visit DrFerrera.com.

Ferrera Dental

NT/WC Reader Survey Results: Best Gym, Massage, Nail/Hair Salons

If you’ve never seen the amazing array of fitness equipment on the 2nd floor of the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Wellness Center, you owe it to yourself to take a tour.

Although we have many wonderful fitness facilities located in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, our Neighborhood News readers have voted the Health & Wellness Center inside the Wellness Plaza adjacent to (and owned by) the same Adventist Health Care System as Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel as their favorite.

And, who could blame them? Situated on the first and second floors of the Wellness Plaza, the 50,000-sq.-ft. facility includes two heated, indoor pools, a huge variety of cardio and strength equipment (including free weights), men’s and women’s saunas, a 1/9-mile indoor track and more than 100 group fitness classes, including Les Mills, Zumba, barre, hot yoga and indoor cycling. There’s even a circuit training area that allows you to get a full-body workout in just 30 minutes.

“It’s definitely the best gym I’ve ever belonged to,” I heard one satisfied female customer tell another. “I’ve lost 20 lbs. and I feel the best I’ve felt in years.”

With its convenient location on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., between S.R.s 56 and 54, the FHWC Health & Wellness Center is a short drive from I-75 and a visit for a tour is well worth the trip from anywhere in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and beyond.

I recently took my second tour of the facility with Fatima, one of the enthusiastic front desk staffers, and, even though I live at least 12-15 minutes away and the membership prices aren’t cheap, Jannah and I are seriously considering joining because you can’t beat the variety of equipment and classes you get to use or the true community feeling you get any time you visit.

The Health & Wellness Center also has a great Fit Fresh café and smoothie bar that also sells nutritional supplements and healthy snacks for people on the go, a membership referral program (receive $20 in “Wellness Bucks” for each new membership you refer), a Fit Friends Kids Club which offers unlimited two-hours-per-day babysitting for 1-2 children for just $30 per month or $7 per hour child care, whether you’re a member of the facility or not.

Other fee-based services include personal training (although members get one free consultation with a certified personal trainer), small group training, licensed massage therapy, nutrition coaching (members also get one free nutrition assessment with a registered dietitian), swim lessons for adults and children, Pilates Reformer and more.

Memberships start at $57 per month or $684 for a one-time annual payment (save $114) and you can add a second family member, age 13 and over (living in the same household) for just $34 per month or $408 for a one-time annual payment.

The FHWC Health & Wellness Center (2700 Healing Way) is open Mon.-Fri., 5 a.m.-10 p.m. & 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sat. & Sun). For more info, visit FHWCwellness@ahss.org or call (813) 929-5252. — GN