2023 Tax Season - Gratitude

With the 2023 tax season now in the rearview mirror, I've had a moment to catch my breath and to reflect on how my first tax season with Bruner CPA Services went.  The word that I feel best describes the tax season for me is: Gratitude.

When I left my position with my previous firm I had a lot of unknown things in my future.  I wasn't sure if I would have a single client to do work for.  I wasn't sure if I would have too many clients.  I wasn't sure how working from my home office full-time would work.  I wasn't sure what to expect or not expect.  But each day the sun rose and the sun set and each day I felt busy, I felt accomplished, and I felt grateful.

Thank you to my clients.  Some of you I have worked with for many years.  Some of you were new to me this year.  I am grateful that all of you trust me to be your CPA and use me for your tax and accounting needs.  I appreciate the work, I appreciate the questions you have, and I appreciate the opportunity that I have to be able to serve you.  Taxes are confusing to most people and I am grateful that so many of you trust me to navigate you through the confusion.

Thank you to my friends and family.  I truly have the best family and friends.  Everyone has been so supportive throughout these first 6 months of being in business.  It has been a blessing to be able to start my own business with such a great support group.  I am grateful for the "How's work?" texts and the "how you doing?" check-ins.  It is wonderful to be checked on and supported.  Thank you!

Thank you to my wife.  I am almost certain that this career change has been most stressful for Larissa.  She has had 100% faith and trust in our decision to start this business and has been my number one person throughout the process.  She has been so helpful in helping with some of the administrative work, talking to clients for me, and even doing some bookkeeping projects during my busiest times.  She's met a lot of new people this year and she's done it with grace. She is truly the best!

I'm grateful that I was able to do the work that I was able to do and to also have the life-balance that I wanted.  I just wrapped up the soccer season with my kids and I was able to coach 4 of my kids' soccer teams (3 different teams).  I love coaching and I love being able to spend time with my kids as they do what they love.  It has been a blessing to be able to coach them and all of their teammates this tax season.

I'm grateful for the cooler weather we've had this winter/spring.  My office doesn't currently have a vent in it, and the cooler weather has made my office rather cold.  I brought in a little heater most days into my office and would typically start my day before my kids were awake.  And everyday, just like clockwork, they would come into my office one by one as they woke up and snuggle by the heater until it was time for them to get ready for school.  There were many times when Larissa would get back from a run, see my light on and come into my office which was full of tiny people reading books and getting cozy by the heater.  I'm grateful to have had those moments this year with my tiny people.

So... Gratitude is my word for the 2023 tax season.  I'm so grateful to have so many blessings in my life and to be able to work for myself.  I'm grateful to have the best clients in the world and the best family and friends that care for me.  I truly feel that I've got the best job in the whole world where I can work with the best clients and then go play with the best people.

I am grateful!