We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jacqueline Muhammad. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jacqueline below.
Jacqueline, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
As the founder of Society of Wealth, I am proud to say that accuracy sets me apart from others in my industry. This work ethic has been ingrained in me since my university days, where I was required to find pennies during exams. This attention to detail service me well during my time as a Revenue Agent for the IRS and now as an Enrolled Agent helping clients resolve tax debt.
To provide even more value to my clients, I added Online Bookkeeping to my services, with a 30-minute monthly online consultation to review financial statements for accuracy and completeness. By emphasizing accuracy in this way, I have helped clients avoid tax debt and stay of top of their finances. This commitment to accuracy is what truly sets me apart from other in my industry.
Jacqueline, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am an accomplished tax professional with extensive experience in the field of tax resolution.
I started my career as a Revenue Agent for the IRS, where I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact an audit could have on individuals and families. I was inspired to help people navigate the complex world of tax debt resolution with compassion and empathy, which led to the establishment the Society of Wealth tax firm.
As an Enrolled Agent (EA) and Certifying Authorizing Agent (CAA), I have the expertise and authority to represent clients before the IRS and to certify identification documents for ITIN applicants. I am also a certified Pro-Advisor for QuickBooks Online, providing invaluable financial advice to clients.
In 2021, the National Association of Enrolled Agents recognized my outstanding contributions to the field of tax practice by awarding me the National Tax Practice Institute Fellow designation.
My journey to founding Society of Wealth was not without its challenges. After leaving the IRS, I pursued a career as a Regulatory/Revenue Accountant with Fortune 500 Oil & Gas companies. However, I never forgot the emotional toll audits could take on individuals and families, and ultimately decided to pursue my passion for helping people navigate the world of tax debt resolution.
In 2010, I took a hiatus from my career and joined the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Lesotho, Southern Africa, where I taught business skills to the local staff of a temporary shelter for children. My experience in the Peace Corps reinforced my commitment to helping others, and I returned to the United States more determined than ever to make a difference in people’s lives.
What sets me apart from others in the industry is my compassionate, non-judgmental approach to tax resolution. I understand that tax debt can be a daunting and emotionally charged issue, and I work tirelessly to provide personalized solutions for each client.
I am most proud of the positive impact I have had on the lives of my clients. By providing expert guidance and support, I have helped countless individuals and families overcome the burden of tax debt and achieve financial freedom.
Potential clients and followers should know that I am committed to providing compassionate, expert guidance to help individuals and families overcome the burden of tax debt. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance, and I work tirelessly to provide personalized solutions for each client.
Have you ever had to pivot?
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, my finance and tax business faced numerous challenges. We were considered an essential business and expected to maintain normal operations, but our clients were hesitant to meet face-to-face, and our landlords were unwilling to offer any rent relief. In addition, the shutdowns hit us hard, as March is typically one of the busiest months for tax professionals.
To overcome these obstacles, I knew I needed to pivot quickly to a virtual office. This involved finding the right software and apps to enable secure sharing of personal information and conducting virtual meetings with clients. After spending hours researching and testing different options, I was able to create a 100% virtual company. While we still maintain two physical offices, the majority of our business is now conducted virtually, allowing us to expand our reach and serve clients around the world.
The pivot wasn’t easy, and there were definitely some learning curves along the way. However, I’m proud of how we were able to adapt and innovate in the face of such challenging circumstances. Personally, I had to develop new skills and take on new responsibilities to make the virtual office work. Professionally, the pivot has opened up new opportunities and allowed us to better serve our clients.
Looking back, I realize that pivoting is often necessary in business and in life. It can be scary to change course, but sometimes it’s the only way to move forward and succeed. I’m grateful for the lessons I learned during this experience and will carry them with me as I continue to grow and evolve my business.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Effective communication is key to growing my clientele. I make sure to communicate regularly with my clients using a variety of channels, including email, phone calls, and video conferencing, to help us stay on the same page and address any questions or concerns they may have.
Additionally, I offer a free monthly video consultation where we review their financial report. During this consultation, I highlight positive and significant improvements and any areas where the client should focus. These meetings are my favorite because I can see the satisfaction on my clients’ faces as they learn to understand and use their reports to operate their business more efficiently.
In addition, I understand the importance of positive reviews for attracting new clients. That’s why I make it easy for my clients to share their experiences by automatically sending them a review request after each meeting. I never pressure them to leave a review, but many choose to do so because of the positive experience they’ve had working with me.
Overall, my focus on honest communication, accessibility, and positive reviews has helped me to build a strong reputation and grow my clientele through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.societyofwealth.com
Image Credits
Alyssa Benjamin of Ever Noire Photography