Murtha & Flischel — New Name, Same Great Accounting & Tax Services! 

The friendly, professional staff of Murtha & Flischel, LLC, is led by co-managing partner Kyle Flischel, CPA (in lighter blue jacket), Tom Murtha, CPA, and co-managing partner Patrick Murtha. (Photo provided by Captured by Arlene Photography) 

New year, new tax returns to file — and a new name for a trusted staple of the local community. 

As of Jan. 1 of this year, the well-known local Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm known as Murtha & Murtha, LLC, has been operating under the name of Murtha & Flischel, CPAs, as the firm’s long-time senior accountant Kyle Flischel is now a named managing partner with fellow managing partner and co-founder Patrick Murtha. 

Thomas Murtha, CPA, Patrick’s father, is still at the firm, located in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56, as a co-founder and senior partner, working with his core clients and providing expertise in complex situations. Also, the firm’s second office in Zephyrhills, which was formerly known as Henson & Murtha, CPAs, also is being rebranded under the new name. 

The trio of Patrick, Kyle and Tom, with more than 60 years of combined experience, can handle accounting, bookkeeping, mergers and acquisitions, taxes and other related services for their clients. 

Coming Full Circle 

Before Murtha & Flischel, it was originally Kyle’s dad, Raymond Flischel, and Tom Murtha who started working together as Flischel, Murtha & Associates in 1997 in Englewood, FL. Ray became a CPA in 1978 and worked for more than 40 years in the profession before retiring. 

Tom Murtha also is a CPA and he earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, in 1976, and his M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, in 1981. He has been doing business valuations, mergers, acquisitions and taxes since the 1990s and also taught accounting courses at Hillsborough Community College and the American Institute of Banking for more than 15 years. 

Patrick and Kyle may have gotten the tax and accounting “bug” from their fathers, but they became friends and colleagues all on their own. They both attended the University of South Florida (USF), where Patrick received Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in both Finance and Accounting in 2009 and 2015 and Kyle obtained a B.S. in Accounting in 2011 and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Accounting with a tax concentration in 2017. 

During 2009 and 2010, Patrick helped sell Tom and Ray’s Englewood firm and opened a new firm with Tom — Murtha & Murtha, LLC, in Tampa. Then, in 2015, the Murthas moved to Wesley Chapel, where Kyle joined them. 

When you work with Murtha & Flischel CPAs, you get the benefit of more than 60 years of experience with 
(l.-r.) Patrick Murtha, Kyle Flischel & Tom Murtha. (Photos by Captured by Arlene Photography) 

Since then, the business and its staff have grown steadily over the years. The Wesley Chapel office has expanded in size over time to a full building in the same office park to accommodate two additional senior accountants as well as new bookkeepers and receptionists, who help with clients across the state, as well as day-to-day administrative tasks. 

Patrick and Kyle have both taken on another challenge recently — getting their pilot’s licenses. Patrick has his already and Kyle is working on getting his soon. 

While Patrick admits this endeavor is “90% hobby,” becoming pilots has already proven beneficial to their business, too. 

“We consult with clients statewide,” shares Patrick. “So, we were recently working with a client on a business acquisition on the east coast of Florida and it took us only 45 minutes to fly there versus the usual three hours or so driving on I-4.” 

Complicated Tax Returns? Murtha & Flischel Can Help! 

Tax season, which just began, is undoubtedly the firm’s busiest time of year. While there are many tax software and online tax services available to use at home, people with complex situations — such as needing to file in multiple states due to moving, working or owning properties in other states, etc. — may find that doing their own taxes at home isn’t so easy. 

“We’re well-versed in helping clients file in multiple states, along with their federal taxes, if they have income or assets from multiple states,” says Patrick. 

What separates Murtha & Flischel from TurboTaxÂź software or nationwide firms like Jackson Hewitt is the firm’s personal touch and responsiveness. Patrick and Kyle insist on meeting clients “eyeball to eyeball” and Patrick says the person who meets with you will be the same person who files your tax returns, and will return your calls throughout the year. 

“We believe in building long-term relationships, so we can answer questions year-round, not just during tax season,” Patrick says. “A lot of clients who come to us from another practice say they liked who they were working with, but that they didn’t return calls or answer emails. Our primary goal is to communicate well with our clients.” 

Potential clients who worry that hiring a tax professional may be too costly shouldn’t hesitate to call Murtha & Flischel. The initial consultation is always free and the firm’s rates are similar to those of national tax preparation companies. Plus, they will look at your tax paperwork for the current year and tax returns for the previous three years to better understand your financial situation — as well as look for opportunities to submit for missed savings — and ultimately put more money back into your pocket. “Kyle is excellent and we have been using his services for over three years,” shares client David Ernst. “I only wish I had found him sooner. Kyle has helped not only with our taxes, but also with audits and making amendments to prior years.” 

Business Owners — Take Note! 

New this year, Patrick and Kyle are reaching out to all business owners to inform them of an important new federal requirement that went into effect on Jan. 1 of this year. 

Under the U.S. Department of the Treasury is a group called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which is now requiring many businesses to register all beneficial ownership information (BOI) or decision makers. 

According to FinCEN.gov, this requirement comes as a result of bipartisan legislation called the Corporate Transparency Act, which was passed in 2021 to “make it harder for bad actors to hide or benefit from their ill-gotten gains through shell companies or other opaque ownership structures.” 

“This requirement can apply to limited liability corporations (LLCs), other corporations and partnerships, and even rental property owners,” says Kyle. 

If your business was created prior to 2024, you have until the end of the year to report BOI, but for businesses newly established in 2024, owners will only have 90 days. 

It’s free and relatively simple in most cases to register BOI online through the BOI e-filing system, but the penalties for not registering or registering incorrectly are steep — “civil penalties up to $500 for each day the violation continues” and possibly “criminal liabilities of up to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.” 

If e-filing your BOI independently seems daunting, Murtha & Flischel can guide you through the e-filing process or help you determine if your business falls within the 23 exempted groups. And, while the FinCEN requirement is new, helping business owners is something the firm has been doing for a long time. 

A popular service Murtha & Flischel offers is the “CFO retainer package.” With this package, the firm helps businesses and people who are self-employed do monthly accounting and bookkeeping as well as budgeting for the future. Murtha & Flischel also offers advice for tax planning, mitigating tax bills and about health insurance or retirement plans. 

“Patrick Murtha did my business’ taxes from 2022 forward,” shares a client named Khaled. “Great knowledge. Very responsive to all my questions. He is beyond just a regular CPA, he is a tax strategist. I highly recommend Patrick Murtha for small business owners, particularly doctors.” 

Additionally, if you’re considering selling your business, Patrick says the firm can help you understand the current and potential future value of your business with the principals’ expertise in business valuations and appraisals. 

“If you have a publicly traded business, you can estimate your piece of the business’ worth by multiplying the number of shares you own by its current trading value, but small businesses can’t do that,” explains Patrick. “We help businesses estimate their worth by looking at their budgeting, financial statements, sales and cash flow, which can help to set realistic goals and benchmarks for growing or selling your business in the future.” 

The Wesley Chapel office of Murtha & Flischel, CPAs is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101. The Zephyrhills office is at 5315 8th St. For a free consultation or tips on tax filings, call (813) 991-1120, or visit TampaTaxFirm.com today. 

Murtha & Murtha, LLC, Takes The Confusion Out Of Tax Season

It seems like taxes get more complicated every year, and the Covid-19 pandemic has caused more confusion than ever.

Patrick Murtha, the managing partner of the accounting firm of Murtha & Murtha, LLC, says, “There is an abundance of changes the IRS is sending our way.”

Patrick, his father Tom, and Kyle Flischel run Murtha & Murtha in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 (across from Sam’s Club) in Wesley Chapel. 

While Kyle has served as the firm’s long-time senior accountant, he recently became a full managing partner of the business. The trio has more than 60 years of combined experience in handling taxes on behalf of their accounting clients.

One of the biggest changes parents will see on their taxes this year is in the child tax credit. In past years, people have gotten a credit on their annual taxes — and often a refund — for each child in their care, but this year, that money has already been paid to those parents in quarterly payments.

“People are used to getting that refunded,” Patrick says, “but it won’t be like that this year because they already got it.”

While that may cause confusion — and some people may be upset that they won’t get as large a refund as they are used to, or may end up owing money —Murtha & Murtha promises that if you have the firm prepare your taxes, you will always understand the issues and exactly why you owe what you owe.

“It’s really important for us to understand every single thing that goes on the tax return so we are able to make sure our clients understand it, too,” he says. “Some just say, ‘Tell me what I owe,’ but others want to know why they owe, so we make sure they understand exactly what happened and why, and what we can do to make sure future outcomes are not that way.”

Patrick says people are still dealing with stimulus issues, too. But, whatever your situation, the accountants at Murtha & Murtha are up to date on all of the tax code changes and can help you file your taxes easily and correctly.

“We’re experts, we’re prepared and we’re well-learned,” Patrick says, “so we’re able to confidently handle all of that.”

Bobbie Smith is a small business owner who came to Murtha & Murtha a couple of years ago when she needed help with taxes, both business and personal.

As the owner of the Wesley Chapel-based Interior Design By Bobbie, she lives in Meadow Pointe III.

“They do everything for me,” she says, “I am so impressed with them, their knowledge, their expertise, and their response back to me. Every time I have a question, they are quick to reply to me.”

Patrick says that’s intentional. He says communication is the top priority at Murtha & Murtha, and while mistakes can sometimes happen because of human error, not returning a client phone call in a timely manner is “unforgiveable.”

And, he says, while some tax firms have a strategy where CPAs meet with clients face-to-face but hire seasonal tax preparers to actually complete the client’s tax forms, that’s not how Murtha & Murtha does it.

“Whoever you meet with is who is going to actually be doing your tax return,” he explains. “If I meet with you and learn about your situation and tax circumstances, I’m going to remember that and it will play a role in making sure I remember to catch things. That doesn’t translate.”

Tax season is Murtha & Murtha’s busiest time of year, but it’s just part of the services the firm provides.

Patrick says Murtha & Murtha’s “CFO Retainer Package” continues to attract new clients. With this package, the firm helps businesses and people who are self-employed do monthly accounting and bookkeeping, but also helps with budgeting, and act when clients have questions about tax planning, mitigating tax bills, or about offering health insurance or retirement plans, for example.

“It’s almost as if you hired a CFO (Chief Financial Officer), but you’re not paying a six-figure salary,” explains Patrick. “We come up with a plan as to how you’re going to grow your business and mitigate your tax bill, so that the tax return should just be a formality. Most people are just looking at their bank account, and it’s impossible to really manage a business effectively that way.”

Patrick understands that most business owners are too busy worrying about their primary business to really step back and look at the big picture, so Murtha & Murtha provides its clients with an extra layer of financial planning and analysis for their business.

Background

Tom Murtha, CPA, earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, in 1976, and his M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, in 1981. He has been doing mergers, acquisitions and business valuations since the 1990s.

Patrick, who grew up around tax codes at his father’s business, graduated from the University of South Florida in 2009 with B.S. degrees in both Finance and Accounting. He joined his father in opening a firm in Tampa in 2010, focusing on mergers and acquisitions.

Meanwhile, Kyle Flischel, CPA, is practically family, having gone to school with Patrick at USF.  

The Murthas merged with another accounting office in Zephyrhills a couple of years ago, and that location is now called Henson & Murtha, CPAs. It is located at 5315 8th Ave.

Murtha & Murtha, LLC, is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101. For more information, visit TampaTaxFirm.com or to schedule a free consultation, call (813) 991-1120.

Murtha & Murtha Handling Covid Fallout This Tax Season

Kyle Flischel (left) and Tom (not pictured) and Patrick Murtha take on every tax problem, big or small, at Murtha & Murtha, LLC. (Photo: Charmaine George)

Every tax season is different.

Some are busier than others, some are upended by new tax laws or bills, while still others are a mad scramble.

This tax season, however, is almost indescribable, says Patrick Murtha, who along with his father Tom and new partner (but longtime senior accountant) Kyle Flischel run Murtha & Murtha, LLC, in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 (across from Sam’s Club).

Due to Covid-19, nothing about this tax season seems normal, Patrick says. Everyone was impacted, with some people losing their jobs and collecting unemployment, others receiving PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans and many  people having to borrow money from their retirement plans in order to survive. 

Some people moved away from Florida, but many others moved in. And, not everyone struggled, Patrick says, noting that some clients had their most lucrative years ever  in 2020.

Either way, Patrick says 2020 was the year of “major life changes,” and clients need more help now than they ever have as they navigate through tax season waters that are now murkier than before.

“This has been amazingly busy,” says Patrick. “The average return is a little more complicated, and we have a lot more clients coming in. It’s crazy.”

That means thousands of tax returns between Murtha & Murtha’s two offices (the Murthas recently merged with another office in Zephyrhills, which is now called Henson & Murtha, CPAs.)

Luckily for clients new and old, Tom, Patrick and Kyle have more than 60 years of combined experience in handling taxes on behalf of their accounting clients.

Because of Covid-19, the Murthas have adapted to the new reality. They started last year, when Covid hit right at the annual March peak of tax season, and now have a well-oiled virtual online machine to help them assist clients.

“We pivoted pretty quickly,” Patrick says. “Right when Covid hit last year we made that move, making virtual appointments, video calls, phone appointments. We bolstered that a lot more in the offseason. Now, we’re a full, web-based client center.”

Clients can sign in, upload their tax documents and any other paperwork the Murthas may need to complete their taxes. “We created a really convenient way for us to work, and for our clients, too,” Patrick says.

He adds that about half of Murtha & Murtha’s clients are handling this tax season online. The other half still prefers to come in to the office, where CDC guidelines are strictly followed. As the pandemic passes, there may be less of a need for an online exchange of tax forms and paperwork, but the firm plans to keep the online option in their arsenal.

That arsenal is quite full as it is. Murtha & Murtha consults, advises and deals in complicated and intricate tax laws, providing business valuations and due diligence while also running the successful Murtha & Murtha Mergers and Acquisitions, LLC.

Tom is fond of saying “we do it all,” which isn’t too far off. And, while taxes are a huge part of what Murtha & Murtha does, Tom says consulting with clients throughout the year is often just as valuable.

A Little Background

Tom Murtha, CPA, earned his B.S. degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, in 1976, and his M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, in 1981. He has been doing mergers, acquisitions and business valuations since the 1990s.

Patrick, who grew up around tax codes at his father’s business, graduated from the University of South Florida in 2009 with Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in both Finance and Accounting. He joined his father in opening a firm in Tampa in 2010, focusing on mergers and acquisitions.

Meanwhile, Kyle Flischel, CPA, is practically family, having gone to school with Patrick at USF.  

Murtha & Murtha offers a popular “CFO Retainer Package,” which helps businesses (and those who are self-employed) who might need a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) but who don’t have the budget to hire a full-time manager or accountant for that job.

For a fraction of the cost of a full-time CFO, the Murthas operate in an advisory position and can handle everything from accounting and bookkeeping to setting up payroll and ensuring that all of a client’s income and expenses are classified correctly.

They also will put together a budget, which Patrick says hardly any other companies do. The Murthas are big on budgeting, which helps their clients make decisions in real time, instead of waiting until the end of the year.

And of course, they will take care of all of your tax preparation and planning.

“The CFO program is growing just as quickly as our tax business is,” Patrick says.

Since starting the CFO program, Patrick says they’ve only lost two clients, but both were due to capital acquisitions. “In both cases, the companies were successful,” he says.

If using Murtha & Murtha sounds daunting and exorbitantly-priced, the Murthas promise that it’s not. The firm handles just about every kind of client, from rich businessmen to small business owners to regular W-2 workers, and the prices are comparable to other tax firms like H&R Block. And, every client gets the same personal treatment. It is that personal touch that differentiates Murtha & Murtha from others, Patrick says. 

While they handle the taxes of some large companies, Patrick says that individual returns account for about two-thirds of Murtha & Murtha’s billings — and that number may be growing this year with the influx of new clients.

During Covid-crazy 2020, Patrick says the firm still grew but not at the rate they originally anticipated. However, he says this year could be record-breaking.

“Whatever we should’ve gotten last year we are getting this year,” Patrick says, “(in addition to) what we would have normally gotten this year. It’s going to be the busiest season we’ve had by an order of magnitude.”

Murtha & Murtha, LLC, is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101. For more info, visit TampaTaxFirm.com. To schedule a free consultation, call (813) 991-1120. 

Henson & Murtha, CPAs, is located at 5315 8th Ave. in Zephyrhills. For more info, call (813) 782-0580.

Murtha & Murtha, LLC, Is Ready To Help You Tackle Tax Season

Tom Murtha, CPA (left), and his son Patrick, of Murtha & Murtha, LLC, go over some of the new tax codes that will take effect next year. (Photo: John C. Cotey)

Sometimes, your taxes can be a snap. Buy a computer program, plug in some numbers, and voila! Tax return!

But oftentimes, it’s not that simple.

In fact, for many, it can be a long, painful, costly and needlessly confusing experience. It doesn’t have to be, though.

The father-and-son team of Tom and Patrick Murtha, of Murtha & Murtha, LLC, specialize in making tax season a smoother ride for individual filers and businesses. Stop by, meet the Murthas, hear what they have to offer and experience what the duo refers to as the “Murtha & Murtha Difference.”

“It’s true,’’ says Tom Murtha, CPA (Certified Public Accountant). “We really are different.”

The Murthas, partners and owners of their firm in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 (across from Sam’s Club), have decades of combined experience. Along with sharing a friendly and an affable nature, they pride themselves on building relationships with clients as much as they do their skill in detangling financial numbers that can mire even the most diligent filer or business person in a maze of numbers, forms and laws.

“We’re very approachable,” Tom says, “and that makes a big difference. People are sometimes afraid of going to professionals with all these licenses. They wonder, ‘Will I be able to talk to them?’ But, we are approachable, and we return phone calls.”

Returning calls may not sound like that big of a deal, but when it comes to tax season, it is. A lot of the customers the Murthas will see this tax season are those looking for an accountant because theirs have gone missing.

“I’ve been getting a ton of people saying “I don’t know where my CPA is,” Patrick says. “It’s kind of unbelievable.”

Patrick grew up around tax codes, spending lots of time at his father’s business. He also became friends with the firm’s senior accountant, Kyle Flischel, the son of one of Tom’s former business partners, while they were both in high school and helping their dads with tax returns.

Patrick and Kyle both attended the University of South Florida. Patrick now holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Finance and a B.S. in Accounting, while Kyle holds a B.S. in Accounting and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Accounting with a tax concentration.

(From l.-r.) Patrick Murtha, Heather Harris, Tom Murtha and Kyle Flischel are ready to tackle the tax season head on. (Photo: John C. Cotey)

They say this tax season will be the busiest yet, but unlike others who get bogged down and are slow to reply, the team at Murtha & Murtha is ready. The firm added marketing manager Heather Harris to the squad last summer.

“She was a big addition,” Tom says. “We’re really excited about that as we get ready for tax season, because it’s going to get really crazy.”

The Murthas offer free consultations — and often, peace of mind for those whose tax questions are keeping them up at night — but prefer to do those consults in person. They ask potential clients to bring in their last 2-3 years of tax returns, which Murtha & Murtha will examine and, in quite a few cases, find errors that lead to amending those returns and earning a larger refund (or paying less tax)  for their clients. And, the Murthas promise they will always be honest with their clients, whether the news is good or bad.

“We ask people to come in; let’s meet eyeball to eyeball and make sure we want to work together,” Tom says. “I don’t want you to commit to me unless we like each other and can work together. That’s so important.”

Tom earned his B.S. degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, in 1976, and his M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, in 1981.

While he was working on his MBA, Tom also worked as assistant controller in the non-bank financial segment of a major New York City bank.

He moved to Brandon in 1987 and opened Accutax Services, Inc., a non-CPA public accounting business. One day, his wife told him it was time to leave behind the fire ants and cow patties of Brandon for the surf. Around the same time, he received an offer to sell Accutax Services, which he did in 1997.

The Murthas moved to Gasparilla Island, and it wasn’t long before Tom joined another CPA firm in nearby Englewood, FL, that he eventually bought into — Flischel, Murtha & Associates.

An Educated Educator

When Tom passed his Florida CPA test in 2000, he says it was with the fourth highest score in the state. He’s also taught accounting courses at both Hillsborough Community College (HCC) in Tampa and at the American Institute of Banking in New York City.

Tom says that gives him an edge over others when it comes to his ability to easily explain complicated tax situations in plain language to his clients.

“I kind of consider myself to be an educator,” Tom says. “I make sure when clients walk out of here that, after a complex situation, they understand what’s going on. I’ll ask them to repeat things back to me. We go over everything again and again and again. I don’t want people walking out of here if they don’t understand what’s going on. That doesn’t help anyone.”

Patrick graduated in 2009, and joined his father in opening a firm in Tampa in 2010 focusing on mergers and acquisitions. One of Patrick’s first tasks was to sell Tom’s Englewood accounting firm.

“Within a month, a contract was on my desk,” Tom says. “That was his first success.”

In 2013, the Murthas expanded to full service, and in 2015 moved to their current location in Wesley Chapel.

CFO Retainer Packages

At their new location, Patrick conceived of another success — a “CFO Retainer Package” to help businesses and those who are self-employed whose company may need a Chief Financial Officer but don’t have the budget to hire a full-time manager or accountant.

For a fraction of the cost of a full-time CFO, the Murthas will provide monthly financial reports — “valuable for getting loans and bringing on investors,” Patrick says — and create a budget for the business.

“It’s a big deal, because it really makes a business look at numbers and compare it to expectations,” Tom says. “A lot of business owners go day to day, thinking it is what it is and the economy is what it is. But, there’s so much a business can do to bring in more business.”

While most accountants focus on the previous year as they file returns, the Murthas also choose to look forward. Because they do valuations as part of their CFO Retainer Package, businesses can find out what they need to do to raise their value and sell at the price they desire.

The CFO package also offers unlimited consulting time with the Murthas.

“It’s really intended for business owners in growth mode, who are excited about it and want it to grow,” Patrick says.

And, for those wondering how the new Republican-backed tax bill might affect their returns, now is as good a time as any to find a trustworthy and reputable CPA firm, like Murtha & Murtha, to prepare. Patrick says that deductions, exemptions and tax rates are all changing, as he plopped a 200-plus page “summary” of some of the new changes coming in 2018 on the table.

“I’ve learned it,” Tom says. “I got it.”

The Murthas handle a wide spectrum of filers, from individuals to businesses that bring in from $100,000 a year to those with $80-million stock portfolios.

Patrick says Murtha & Murtha specializes in big issues, like helping those with rental properties, those who are self-employed, have complicated investments and especially those coming off big life changes like a divorce or an inheritance.

“But we help anyone who needs it,” Tom says.

With tax season ready to kick into high gear, the Murthas are excited for another busy few months.

“The tax season is the best time of the year,” Tom says. “We really enjoy helping people, making a difference with businesses who see their businesses is growing because of us. That keeps me excited. Why do it if it doesn’t make a difference and if you can’t take the worry away?”

Murtha & Murtha, LLC, is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel. For more information, visit TampaTaxFirm.com or to schedule a free consultation, call (813) 991-1120.

Get Much More Than Just Tax Preparation With Murtha & Murtha CPA

Tom and Patrick Murtha admit that most new clients find their full-service accounting firm, Murtha & Murtha Certified Public Accountants (CPA), around tax season. That’s when people are scrambling to meet deadlines for both their personal and business taxes.

They are quick to point out, however, that with Murtha & Murtha, it’s just the beginning of a personal relationship that lasts year-round.

“We have a tremendous amount of experience,” says Tom.  “We’re here to be your most trusted advisor.”

Tom and Patrick are the father-and-son team who are both partners and owners of the firm, located in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 (across from Sam’s Club). Kyle Flischel serves as the firm’s senior accountant.

Thomas E. Murtha, CPA, earned his B.S. degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, in 1976, and his M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree in Accounting from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, in 1981. While he was working on his MBA, Tom also worked as assistant controller in the non-bank financial segment of a major New York City bank.

He moved to Tampa in 1987 and opened Accutax Services, Inc., a non-CPA public accounting business that he sold in 2010. In 1999, he also joined another CPA firm in Englewood, FL, that he eventually bought into — Flischel, Murtha & Associates. When Tom passed his Florida CPA test in 2000, he says it was with the fourth highest score in the state. He’s also taught accounting courses at both Hillsborough Community College in Tampa and at the American Institute of Banking in New York City.

Patrick grew up around his father’s business and met Kyle, the son of Tom’s former business partner, while they were both in high school and helping their dads with tax returns. Patrick and Kyle then both attended the University of South Florida. Patrick now holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Finance and a B.S. in Accounting, while Kyle holds a B.S. in Accounting and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Accounting with a tax concentration.

When the partners opened their firm in 2010, Murtha & Murtha focused on mergers and acquisitions and was located in downtown Tampa. In 2013, the Murthas expanded to a full-service accounting firm and moved to their current Seven Oaks location.

“We work with businesses from startup to $25 million,” says Tom.  “We don’t just juggle numbers. We get our business clients into budgeting.” He explains that businesses with a budget can then compare their budgets to their actual expenses to see where the numbers are out of line.

“When you have a budget, that’s when you start to control your business and keep it from controlling you,” Patrick adds.

Your Company’s CFO?

Murtha & Murtha offers a “CFO retainer package” to help businesses that need the role of a Chief Financial Officer but don’t have the budget to hire a full-time manager. For a fixed monthly fee, the firm provides services such as monthly accounting, annual budgeting and annual market value estimations.

Tom says that’s an important function. “Everyone who owns a business hopes to sell it someday,” he explains, “and hopefully make some income along the way.”

If you buy or start a business, Tom asks, “Is the value of your company going the right way?”

He says it’s important for business owners to take the time to consider these and other questions. “We like seeing our clients be successful,” Tom says. “That’s what makes us successful.”

Jorge Brea, owner of Symphonic Distribution, a Wesley Chapel company that distributes music to iTunes, Spotify and other outlets, is one of the companies that look to Murtha & Murtha for an annual market valuation and other services.

“Truthfully, they’ve been tremendous,” Jorge says. “They’ve helped us take more control of our books and have been really helpful in providing best practices and standards.”

Jorge also says the market valuation service is extremely helpful. “It’s this really cool yearly report that gives you a lot of statistics and data to see how you compare to other companies,” he explains. “It’s information that you can’t just look up on your own.”

Murtha & Murtha’s customized, personal approach is the hallmark of the way the firm works with both its business and individual clients. This isn’t the kind of accounting firm where clients are encouraged to simply drop off a folder and wait for an email. Tom, Patrick or Kyle will sit down with each new client, interview them and really get to know and understand each of them and their unique financial situations.

Responsiveness is another hallmark of Murtha & Murtha. “The number one reason people tell us they’re switching CPAs is because their CPA didn’t return their phone call or emails,” says Patrick. “We have a system in place to be sure we’re communicating with customers well, and we don’t use ‘it’s tax season’ as an excuse (for not returning calls).”

Tom and Patrick say people are often nervous about how expensive it is to hire a CPA to help with taxes. “The reality is that, of course, it costs more than doing it yourself with tax software,” explains Patrick. “But very frequently, we can find more savings, and we can go up to three years back to get refunds.”

He explains that silly mistakes answering simple yes or no questions can have implications that the typical tax software user just doesn’t understand.

“There are a lot of things you can do, and we understand the implications of the decisions you make in how to prepare your taxes,” explains Patrick, a long-time member, former treasurer and current Sergeant-at-Arms of the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club. “We always advise what’s in our client’s best interest, not our own.”

Tom adds, “In my 30 years in the business, I have seen everything that can go right, and everything that can go wrong. I like getting into things that are complicated.”

They caution people not to make financial decisions based on tax implications alone. Murtha & Murtha has a strong network of financial advisors, bankers and attorneys to refer their clients.

“It’s great to be aware of tax implications, but what happens when life comes along?” asks Patrick. “We’ll work with your financial advisor throughout the year and look at financial implications and all factors in a decision.”

He adds, “We’ll sit and talk with you, and work together with you. We’re not high pressure, and we’re not trying to sell you on anything. People get intimidated by taxes, but we know the tricks and we’ve got the experience to help you.”

Murtha & Murtha CPAs is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101. For more information, visit TampaTaxFirm.com. To schedule a free consultation, call 991-1120.