Axiom Business Consulting Is The Small Business Solution For Financial Services

By Lauren Saslow

It’s tax season folks, and the dreaded Tuesday, April 15, deadline to file your 2013 tax returns or pay any tax due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is rapidly approaching. This is a stressful time of the year, especially for those with complicated financial situations, such as owning a business, doing contract work or buying or selling investments (domestically or internationally), among others.

Axiom Business Consulting, LLC, located in Telecom Park (just four miles south of the Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd. interchange off I-75 at E. Fletcher Ave.), is available for all of your tax preparation and planning needs. Seema Jain, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Tampa Palms resident, founded Axiom in January 2006 and serves as the firm’s president, leading a team of five employees with a mission to, “Deliver more than traditional accounting and tax services by becoming a strategic business consultant and partner for clients.”

Jain earned her Bachelor of Administrative Studies (BAS) degree in Accounting and Taxes from York University in Toronto, Canada, in 1990. She then earned her designation as a Chartered Accountant (CA) at the Ontario Institute of CAs in 2001, before moving to Florida and earning her CPA at the Florida Institute of CPAs in 2006, even though Florida has a reciprocal program with Canada for accountants, so Jain’s pre-existing CA designation was recognized in Florida and did not require her to get further certification.

“I always enjoyed numbers in high school,” explains Jain. “I did really well in my business and accounting electives. Now I enjoy tax planning and advanced development of financial statements.”

Tampa Palms resident and loyal Axiom client Dr. Anita Shembekar was referred to Jain by word of mouth.

“Seema provides exceptional service in a timely fashion,” Shembekar says. “She jumps through hoops and knows tax law.”

Dr. Shembekar even described a situation in which she called Jain with a last-minute request for assistance in a financial matter, and the Axiom staff managed to “squeeze me in.”

“My CPA practice does a lot of work in back taxes, IRS appeals and helping individuals and businesses solve their IRS nightmares,” Jain says. “We put the client in charge of their lives, rather than the IRS.”

In fact, Jain boasts that her favorite part of the practice is defending the taxpayer’s case by negotiating with IRS agents. One tactic, she says, is to create an installment agreement, which allows clients to negotiate a payment plan with the IRS that fits that client’s budget.

The most candid piece of advice Jain wants potential clients to hear is, “It is better to file tax forms by April 15th of every year, no matter what.” Even if you do not pay owed taxes immediately, especially after life-altering situations where you do not have the money available to pay, the amount of interest and penalties accrued over five or more years of failing to file taxes can become financially crippling, and the problem will not simply go away.

In other words, Jain says, do not allow fear of anticipated penalties keep you from filing taxes annually if you know you owe the IRS money; file on time and allow a knowledgeable CPA like Jain to help you explore your options for payment. “It’s nice to be able to help people who legitimately need help,” Jain says.

In addition to tax services (preparation, planning and IRS problems), Axiom also offers business services (accounting, payroll, audits, reviews and compilations), Quickbooks services (setup and training with the electronic program that helps clients organize their finances) and individual services (which include personal financial planning, estate planning and elder care).

“We offer a broad range of services for business owners, executives and independent professionals at an affordable rate,” Jain says.

Wade Thomas — a Zephyrhills resident who has been a client of Jain’s since April 2012 — raves about how wonderful, professional and family-friendly the practice is. Thomas was introduced to Jain through a personal reference when he needed professional guidance in applying for a 501(c)(3), or nonprofit organization status. When his primary CPA retired, Thomas entrusted the financial guidance of all three of his businesses (a car business, a pawn shop and an Internet advertising company), in addition to the nonprofit organization, solely to Axiom.

As Thomas explains, “I was so impressed with (Seema) and the staff! It makes a big difference to me that my money is handled properly. She’s wonderful, and I would recommend her for any of the services she offers.”

On A Personal Note…

I also had a more complicated financial situation in 2013. While I have typically completed my taxes myself with TurboTax online in recent years, the addition of a freelance writing job and renting out a property left me feeling anxious about the probability of owing taxes to the IRS this year. I brought my printed (unfiled) 2013 tax return, forms and receipts to Jain for review.

In just two days, she reviewed and prepared a tax return (including legal deductions I had not realized I was eligible for) that actually allowed me to earn money back, even with her preparation fees! I truly was floored (and relieved) at how quickly and effectively she was able to aid in making my life easier.

While this type of success may not be possible in every client’s situation, Jain certainly demonstrated her knowledge, professionalism and timeliness to me. She even recommended an electronic program that I can purchase to help me keep track of permissible tax deductions for 2014.

Virtual Offices For Lease

In the age of “virtual” business or home-based work, there is a growing need for professionals to lease office space on a short- or long-term basis in order to meet with clients in a formal setting, instead of in their own homes.

To this end, Axiom’s office building has seven furnished office spaces (each approximately 110 sq. ft.) available for lease by the hour.

“Leasing one of our office spaces is a cost-effective solution for clients with small businesses,” Jain says. “Currently, there is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a financial consultant who maintain long-term leases here.”

Clients who lease an office at Axiom, whether temporarily or permanently, also have shared access to a 200-sq.-ft. boardroom that features a wall-mounted flat screen TV for video conferencing or PowerPoint presentations, phone conferencing technology, as well as phone and Internet access.

Additionally, clients have access to a full-time receptionist to schedule appointments, an all-in-one office printer (that includes faxing and scanning features) and a granite-top kitchenette area. The entire office building is carpeted wall-to-wall and features contemporary, dark wood cabinetry, warm brown painted walls and decorative abstract wall art.

Jain’s husband, Sanjiv “Sam” Jain, is the marketing and public relations manager at Axiom who also handles the office rentals. Sam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology in Socorro, NM.

When I asked Sam about the title of the business, he explained, “An ‘Axiom’ is a mathematical truth. And, the truth is what we believe in, and what we do here, and that’s why we chose it.”

Axiom Business Consulting, LLC, CPA, is located at 13234 Telecom Dr., and is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Extended hours are available in April, but by appointment only. Call 395-0089 to schedule a free, 30-minute consultation or visit AxiomBusiness Consulting.com for more info.