Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay Bachelder

Hi Shay, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I started my career in the financial services industry back in 2003 after graduating from college. Even though my degree was in Psychology, I took a job as an Accounts Payable clerk at the corporate office of the company I worked for in college. Through this position, I was given the opportunity to get licensed as a tax preparer here in my home state of Oregon (currently the only state that requires licensing and one of four states that requires testing and continuing education.) I realized that I really enjoyed preparing tax returns and learning the ins and outs of the tax code and how to strategically save clients money. I went on to get my Tax Consultants License in Oregon, which allowed me to open my own tax practice, Casler Financial, LLC which has now been in operation for almost 18 years. I then went on to get my Enrolled Agent designation with the IRS. An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns as well as ethics. The Enrolled Agent license is the highest designation that the IRS awards tax professionals. I can help clients who have received letters or are being audited by the IRS or state taxing authorities. I can prepare tax returns and offer advise and guidance on tax savings strategies as well as how best to structure your business activities to pay the least amount of tax. I truly enjoy what I do and am excited for the opportunity to grow my small practice and help even more individuals, small businesses, and real estate investors save money on taxes.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The tax code is constantly changing so staying up to date on things can be challenging. I complete at least 30 hours of continuing education each year to keep my licenses current and I try to stay involved in networking groups of peers that I can run things by and learn from. It has been challenging being a solo business owner, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to develop and grow a team of experts that can work together and collaborate on your behalf to bring you the highest level of service and the greatest tax savings possible.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

Casler Financial can prepare your tax return for you. We can also represent you in the case of an audit. We can help you plan and strategize to get the most tax savings possible. We can help you structure your business or real estate investments in the most tax advantageous way possible. We can give you advise based on 20+ years in the industry. Sometimes you just want to talk to a professional and be able to ask questions and get honest answers and feedback. In an industry that is overwhelmed and understaffed, it can be difficult to find a tax professional to prepare your tax return, let alone meet with you or speak to you on the phone to answer your questions. I like to think that this is an area that sets me apart from the competition. I offer virtual consultations via zoom to anyone who is interested. You don’t have to be a tax preparation client of mine to get my professional advise. I know that many people like to prepare their own tax returns, for one reason or another, and I am happy to meet with this type of client and help guide them or advise them, answer questions, or review their returns for potential errors or missed tax savings opportunities. Tax preparation is important, but planning and looking ahead to the future is where true tax savings and wealth building are realized. If you are interested in booking a private zoom consultation with me, you can schedule online here: https://www.caslerfinancial.com/scheduling

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?

In 2017 and 2018, before the pandemic, my family and I had the opportunity to spend an extended amount of time in Mexico, immersing our kids in the Spanish language and culture in hopes of them being bilingual someday (and escaping the cold, dreary winters of the Pacific Northwest). Through this opportunity, I was able to transition my office to operate virtually, which ended up being such a blessing when Covid shutdowns happened and people were not comfortable meeting face to face. I had already been operating a virtual office for years, I had a secure portal set up through my website and was already comfortable meeting with clients via phone or web conference. My business didn’t skip a beat, in fact, I have experienced continued growth for the last five or six years despite spending zero dollars on advertising. All my new clients have come to me via word of mouth, which truly is the best complement. I always strive to provide the highest level of customer service to anyone who engages my services. I want to be known as a “9 or a 10” in the industry. Whether you call it luck, manifestation, blessings from God, or a combination of the three, I truly feel lucky and blessed to be able to own my own business and help others do the same while minimizing the stress and burden of income taxes.

Pricing:

• Tax Preparation Services are billed by the form, price sheet is available on my website
• Virtual Consultations via Zoom are $250
• Tax Planning and Advisory Packages starting at $2500
• IRS Representation Services are billed by the hour with a minimum $2500 retainer collected up front

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caslerfinancial.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casler_financial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caslerfinancial/
• Twitter: https://x.com/shaycasler
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHeOLYUXKGW9qSvKf3Lx1BA
• Other: https://www.naea.org/education-events/ntpi-fellow-list/