Five minutes. Twelve questions.

Coastal Crest is a boutique firm — we take on a limited number of new business-and-owner relationships each year. This qualifier tells us whether we're the right firm for you, and tells you plainly whether we're not. Answer honestly. If you're a fit, we'll send three time slots for a call. If you're not, we'll say so and send resources you can use today.

1. About you

Your name

Company name

Business email

We'll use this for our reply and your engagement letter.

Please enter a valid business email address.

Phone (optional)

For strong-fit leads only, so we can call same-day.

Your role in the business

We only engage with owners and decision-makers — no gatekeeping this call.

Sole owner / founder Majority owner (>50%) Minority owner / partner CEO / President (non-owner) CFO / Controller Advisor / referring party

Where is the business based?

Tennessee Southeast (AL, GA, FL, MS, KY, NC, SC) Elsewhere in the US International

2. Your business

Annual revenue (most recent full year)

Annual profit before owner comp & distributions

Roughly — we'll refine on the call.

Entity structure

S-Corporation Multi-member LLC / Partnership Single-member LLC C-Corporation Sole proprietor Multiple entities / holding-co

How many states do you file business income tax in?

How many years has the business been operating?

Under 2 years 2 – 5 years 5 – 10 years Over 10 years

3. The owner picture

Owner household total income last year (all sources)

W-2 + K-1 + distributions + investment income. Best estimate.

Federal tax bill last year (business + personal combined)

Under $50k $50k – $150k $150k – $500k Over $500k

Do you own real estate held by the business or a related entity?

None Only our operating facility Investment properties / portfolio Both operating & investment

4. Fit & intent

What are you looking for from a CPA relationship?

Choose the closest match. This is the biggest single fit signal.

Full relationship — compliance, planning, strategy, financial planning, records. One firm, one team.Fits how we work best. Tax planning & strategy — I already have bookkeeping and want the returns done too.Common fit. Just tax returns and basic advice.We can do this but it's not our best-fit engagement. A one-time strategy or transaction (sale, restructure, cost seg).Project work — quoted separately. Just shopping to see what's out there.Please try us again when you're ready to engage.

Are you planning a sale, succession, or major transition in the next 2–5 years?

Yes, actively preparing Likely, timing TBD Maybe someday No, long-term hold

What's your budget for annual CPA fees (business + owner)?

Coastal Crest starts at $15,000/year. We'd rather know upfront than waste your time.

Under $5,000 $5,000 – $10,000 $10,000 – $15,000 $15,000 – $30,000 $30,000 – $60,000 Over $60,000 Whatever the right work costs

Current CPA situation

No CPA today — DIY or bookkeeper-only. Local CPA, low fees, feels transactional. Local CPA, does the returns, no proactive planning. Regional/national firm — capable but I'm a small client to them. Happy with my CPA — just exploring.

When would you want to start?

Anything else we should know? (optional)

Recent liquidity event, upcoming transaction, specific pain point, referral source, etc.

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