Being a CPA has more upside than most people know. Especially for Stephanie, being in tax gives her a sense of pride that she can help people with their finances through taxes. Helping a small company grow wildly successful can be pure bliss or taking care of the elderly through a tough time feels good. One person told her, "a noble action isn't something you can just hang your career on, but you can hang your life on." Being extremely wealthy wasn't her main focus and it should never be. But with the delights that her job brings it also takes on unnecessary headaches, especially, headaches of clients expect her to get their returns done on a minutes notice.
On April 15th at 2 p.m. expectedly, her phone rings. Stephanie knows who it is, a typical last minute filer wanting her to jump through hoops for him or her to file their return by the end of the day. Since, this is her first year with her own business, she told herself that she wasn't going to do this. She isn't a dog or a slave. She's in the business of helping people, the kind of people who value her and understand what she does.
"Stephanie Smith's CPA's. How may I help you?" She answered.
The man's voice was rugged and grizzly a man's man voice, "I was hoping to get my taxes done."
Stephanie didn't recognize his voice and was somewhat relieved it wasn't one of her regulars. She's glad they didn't take the time to look her firm up. In the first year in business it has been a challenge and she didn't want the same old client challenges. "Sir, it's a bit late. Plus, I don't know your situation."
"I know and I am very sorry. I just finalized my divorce and could use some good help for once."
"I'm sorry for your situation but I really don't have time. If you want to make an appointment for next week I can fit you in early in the week."
"I might get penalized then?"
"If you owe taxes and don't pay in an estimate by the end of today, then yes, you will be subject to penalties."
"I can't afford to pay any penalties. I ended up paying a lot over the last year and really need to save all of my money. Is there any way you can fit me in, please? I have a small business and it's straight forward. I promise I won't be like this again and I will be a compliant client from here on out."
His pleading and the combination of his voice made her lady parts tingle. She hasn't felt anything since the start of tax season which was over three months ago. In her head she weighed the options, I get to make a little more money and hopefully, he can be a good and profitable client from now on.
Her phone vibrated against the desk and it was Tom, her boyfriend. Sorry, won't be home until after midnight. The text read. Great it's been three months since I was taken care of and he isn't going to be home. His boyish antics of him coming to my house anytime he wants is wearing thin on me. Loneliness has crept over her the last three months. Seeing nothing but frozen entrees, clients and the pizza delivery boys can weigh on someone over tax season.
"Ma'am are you still there?"
Her mind had drifted off and forgot she had the grizzly voiced potential client on the phone. "I'm sorry. What was your name again?"
"Mike and my business is MKH Construction."
"Your business is MKH Construction?"
"Yes. Is that a problem?"
"Well, a minute ago you said your return is straight forward. MKH is a large company and a successful one." MKH was responsible to build the local sports team's new stadium. The company is in hundreds of millions of dollars.
"Well, no, you will have to do just my personal. I have the tax form from the business return for you."
Her mind is set to ease and unsteadiness at the same time. Having a large company as a client would be great for her business but doing the return right now would've been a disaster. "Okay Mike, I need you to get here soon." She said with a stern voice.
"Yes, I can be up there in fifteen minutes."
The combination of not seeing Tom, her boyfriend and getting another client made her decision easier. "Okay, I can't guarantee you I can get it done today but I will try. Please be here as soon as you can."
"Okay, thank you for doing this. I'll see you then."
She hung up the phone and started to breath heavily. "Just one more client. " She said to herself.
"You're taking on another client?" Jesse her only helper has his lunch box around his shoulder and is heading out for the day asked.
"Yes. The last one."
"Geez, Steph. I thought we were done?" His boyish face slightly grinned.
"I know, I know."
He looked back to his desk and she glanced over there. His lamp is shutoff and he's looking for the approval to leave for the day. "It's okay Jesse, I can do this by myself."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, you worked really well this season. Thank you for your hard work. If you keep working hard and continue to learn, you will do great in this profession."
"Thanks. My first tax season was an experience."
Stephanie looked off into space, "I remember my first tax season, fresh out of college. What a nightmare. I hope you at least enjoyed it a little."
"I did." Jesse said while his undeveloped college body pointed towards the door.
Exhausted, Stephanie gave a half of a smile. Jesse was good but not great, his
wardrobe needs to be more professional and his punctuation sucked, but hey, she guessed she should give him a little slack. "Remember, we have tomorrow off."
"Yes and are we still doing the party? Are you ready to let your hair down?" He asked while dorkishly doing a shimmy.
Shit, she forgot about the party. Well, it isn't much of a party when there is only two of us. "Tom is working late tonight so, it will be just you and I."
"And Jane." He excitedly replied.
"Who's Jane?"
"My girlfriend, she really wants to meet you."
Oh, great, a thirty six year old successful woman is hanging out with two barely out of diapers college graduates. Is this what my life has become? "Yeah, we can still go out. Let's push it back an hour."
"To eight?"
"Yes, it's four thirty now so, this client shouldn't take too long."
"Sounds great. See you then." Jesse walked out of the office and for a moment the sun rushed in. She almost forgot what the sun looked like.
Her hair could be let down, figuratively and literally. She hasn't had a drink in three months and never had time to straighten her hair in the same time frame, leaving her no choice but to put it up every day. She looked in the mirror and notice the top button on her suit jacket has come undone, exposing the top of her black lace bra as her undershirt is a little loose. Why didn't Jesse say something? Unless it wasn't undone then, ahh whatever.
She walked to the bathroom to button it, a solo frail blonde hair strand was trying to survive by itself. She re-snapped her hair clip and then the door chimed. It must be Mike. She walked through the office hallway with her black heels, which clanked against the hardwood. A man in a blue business suit with a blue and pink striped tie standing in the waiting area. His brown hair is peppered with gray and his face is smooth and masculine. This can't be Mike. Early in her career she made a habit of matching professions with what they looked like. With fifteen years in this business she believed her instincts were uncanny on point. She was expecting someone with ripped jeans, a t-shirt and dirt underneath the fingernails. This is the exact opposite. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, my name is Mike and I talked to someone on the phone about my taxes."
His grizzled voice ripped through her. "Yes, sorry Mike, I'm Stephanie and I spoke to you on the phone." She said while stepping towards him with her hand extended.
"Oh, I didn't realize I was speaking to the owner. Well, from one business owner to another nice to meet you." He said while firmly he shook her hand.
"Likewise." She replied. She caught a faint smell of his cologne which made her smile. "Follow me." She said while gestured him to follow her.
They walked down the hallway to the end, where her office is located. "Come on in." She said while she propped the door open for him. When he walked passed her he turned toward her and she caught another whiff of his cologne and his breath, which oozed attraction.
She sat down in her black executive chair and swiveled one of the computer monitors out of the way, he placed his jacket over the empty chair and crossed his leg while having perfect posture. They locked eyes for just a moment then she asked, "Did you bring the tax information?"
"Of course," he said while handing her a manila envelope.
She rummaged through the information and came to his business documents. As expected he's quite wealth off. Two business documents stated he made three million and one million dollars for this past year. She tried not to make it obvious but her eyes looked up and down on his designer suit, tailored to perfectly fit his body. The suit tugged on his leg muscles all the way to his bulging chest.
"How long you've own this business?" He asked.
"This is my first year, I was part of a firm in downtown for the last fifteen years."
He raised his eyebrows, seemingly being impressed. "How's it going?"
"It's been successful so far."
He nestled himself into the chair, "Good, well I shouldn't be surprised, it seems like you know what you are doing."
She held back a smile but the compliment was sweet. "It seems like you're doing alright for yourself."
"Yeah, I'm doing okay. What are you looking for?"
She's going through his papers one by one, "just for your birthdate."
