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Effective date: November 1, 2025
Firm: Meilinger CPA (“MCPA”) • 351 Prado Way, Greenville, SC 29607
Website: www.meilinger.us
These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) apply to all professional services MCPA provides, including tax, accounting, advisory, bookkeeping, and consulting. They are incorporated by reference into each Engagement Letter (together, the “Agreement”). If there is a conflict, the Engagement Letter governs the scope of work and fees; these Terms govern all other provisions.
Our engagement is limited to the professional services outlined in the Engagement Letter. MCPA will not audit or verify the data you submit, although we may ask you to clarify certain information. While we will use our professional judgment and expertise to provide accurate and timely services, we do not guarantee any specific outcomes, including, but not limited to, the minimization of tax liability, favorable audit outcomes, success of any business advisory services, specific financial targets or goals, or acceptance of any filing by tax authorities. You acknowledge that the responsibility for tax planning, financial decisions, and legal compliance remains solely with you, the client.
MCPA is not responsible for the discovery of fraud, misrepresentation, or errors that may exist in the information provided, nor for any penalties or interest that may result from late or inaccurate filings or other compliance failures.
Client is expected to provide all requested documents and information necessary to complete their engagement in a timely manner. MCPA will make reasonable requests for documentation and allow a reasonable amount of time for clients to respond. However, repeated delays, incomplete submissions, or excessive document requests beyond the normal scope of the engagement may result in additional administrative or processing fees. Timely cooperation is essential to ensure accurate and compliant deliverables.
Documents Needed to Prepare Your Return(s) - MCPA completes business bookkeeping: Certain additional documents may be required to complete a year-end close of your books compared to our standard monthly closing process. We will provide a detailed list of these required documents by February 1. To ensure timely preparation of your return by the March 15 deadline, we will need to receive all requested documents no later than February 15.
Documents Needed to Prepare Your Return(s) – individual returns: required documents required to prepare your current year tax return will be provided.
Due Dates for Tax Documents: For business tax returns, client will close business books and deliver to MCPA by March 15 for filing date of May 15. For individual tax returns, individual tax documents will be delivered to MCPA by May 1 with a filing date of June 15. Please note, delivery date of certain tax documents such as Schedules K-1, may be outside of the client's control. In such cases, the client is expected to provide all other available documents by the stated deadline and deliver K-1s to MCPA promptly upon receipt. Filing deadlines for returns dependent on K-1s will be governed by the timing of those issuances. These filing dates may be adjusted if they fall on a weekend or federal holiday.
Please note, If the above document deadlines are not met, client may be billed additional costs (up to $350 per month). And, client return(s) will be placed at the end of the queue for preparation, and MCPA will not be able to ensure that the client will avoid penalties for late filing.
We will perform only the services described in your Engagement Letter. These may include:
Out-of-scope services require a separate Engagement Letter or written change order.
Out-of-scope services require a written change order and a revised Engagement Letter. It is the clients' sole responsibility to review and confirm scope of work is inclusive of all work required to meet individual and corporate goals.
The services described in the Engagement Letter are intended to encompass the primary scope of work for which the client has engaged MCPA. However, MCPA routinely receives requests from our clients which arise during the course of an engagement that fall outside the scope of this engagement. Any such requests will be considered additional services outside the scope of this engagement and will be billed at our standard hourly rates. MCPA encourages clients to budget an additional amount (up to 20% to 25% of the annual fee of this engagement) to accommodate these types of service requests.
Common examples of additional services not included in the engagement include (the following list is not all-inclusive; there may be other services not included in the following list that are outside of scope of this engagement):
Client understands that any service not specifically included in the Engagement Letter is considered outside the scope of work of this agreement and therefore not included in the fees for this agreement. Additional costs will be billed for services outside of scope.
For engagements that include financial statement preparation, MCPA will prepare financial statements on the appropriate basis of accounting based on information provided by you.
Client is responsible for the following:
MCPA will conduct any preparation engagement in accordance with the Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS) issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). We will prepare your financial statements based on the information provided by you. We will not audit, review, or compile the financial statements, nor will we verify the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by you. Accordingly, we will not express an opinion or provide any assurance regarding the financial statements.
It is of the utmost importance to MCPA that our client engagements are as successful as possible.
We are committed to providing the following during this engagement:
MCPA believes that by embracing the following commitments to time, investment, and change, we can establish a strong foundation for a successful partnership.
At times MCPA may have questions or require additional document requests after your first document submission. In order to meet the promised completion date(s) of your work we ask that you respond to any communication from our office within 48 hours.
Additional costs may be billed for extended delays in client communication. I agree to respond to communications within 48 hour.
Additionally client agrees to:
Client agrees to provide and maintain access to QuickBooks Online, banking, credit card, and payroll feeds.
To facilitate the efficient and accurate performance of bookkeeping, reconciliation, and related accounting services, Client agrees to provide Meilinger Consulting with ongoing access (accountant login) to its bank accounts, credit card accounts, and related financial institutions.
Specifically, Client shall:
Meilinger Consulting:
We maintain confidentiality as required by law and professional standards. MCPA uses Practice Protect and other vetted platforms for credential and data protection. You consent to our use of secure portals, Practice Protect, and vetted offshore personnel supervised by MCPA. Electronic communications have inherent risks; you accept those risks by authorizing digital transmission of data.
MCPA agrees, subject to applicable law or court order, not to disclose any of our communications, or any of the information we receive or develop in the course of our work, to any person or entity apart from those parties to this engagement. MCPA is committed to safekeeping client confidential information. MCPA maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your information.
At MCPA, we are constantly seeking ways to be more effective and efficient in the work we do on your behalf. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality services, as proficiently and timely as possible.
An important part of this effort is our ongoing relationship with offshore staff and contractors who provide services for tax professionals and accountants. We use a number of offshore staff and contractors to assist with tax preparation and bookkeeping and accounting tasks. This has helped us expedite the tax preparation process as well as accounting service delivery for many of our clients.
If offshore personnel are used in the completion of your tax return and/or accounting work, please notes that review of your work will be completed by an experienced US based member of the MCPA, and your return(s) will be signed by a US-based member of our firm.
Because our offshore personnel can be considered a third-party provider, the Internal Revenue Service requires that we obtain your consent before allowing them to input your data for your tax return. MCPA is providing an official IRS consent form to you related to your engagement.
Please note the following regarding offshore personnel:
Please remember that MCPA takes these measures related to offshore personnel in order to make the work we do for you more efficient and effective. Our goal is for our US based staff to focus our time and effort on the critical tasks of interpreting and addressing the many changes taking place in the U.S. tax code and how they affect you as well as delivering our accounting work to you. We thank you in advance for your assistance and understanding. If you have questions, please give us a call to discuss.
For certain tax preparation engagements, all tax return signers will receive for review and signature the IRS mandated "Consent to Disclosure of Tax Return Information" which is made part of this engagement.
You understand and acknowledge the above information.
Original records are returned at engagement close; you remain the system of record. MCPA workpapers are our property, typically retained for seven (7) years before destruction. If MCPA must respond to subpoenas or regulatory inquiries where we are not a party, you agree to reimburse costs.
Fees reflect scope, complexity, staffing, and timing. Invoices are due upon receipt. Late balances may accrue finance charges up to the maximum allowed under South Carolina law. Out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursable. Services may be suspended for non-payment.
Auto-Renewal: Engagements automatically renew annually unless either party provides written termination notice at least 30 days before renewal. Escalation: Fees increase by 5% annually at renewal unless otherwise agreed.
Our liability is capped at fees paid for the services at issue. MCPA is not liable for consequential, incidental, punitive, or speculative damages. You indemnify MCPA from claims or penalties arising from incomplete or inaccurate information you provide, except where caused by MCPA’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
For tax preparation engagements, Client agrees to indemnify and hold MCPA harmless with respect to any and all claims arising from the use of the tax returns for any purpose other than filing with the IRS, state and local tax authorities regardless of the nature of the claim, including the negligence of any party.
MCPA does not provide legal, insurance, or investment advice unless expressly engaged in writing. Advisory services are limited to business, accounting, and tax-related guidance.
Our deliverables are prepared solely for your use within the engagement scope. No third party may rely on them without our prior written consent.
MCPA is not responsible for delays or failures due to events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemics, supply chain interruptions, or government shutdowns.
It is understood that either party may terminate this Agreement at any time, for any reason, within ten days of written notice to the other party. It is understood that any unpaid services that are outstanding at the date of termination are to be paid in full within ten days from the date of termination. If services are terminated, MCPA is not responsible for missed deadlines, penalties, or interest.
Disputes will first be addressed in good-faith discussions. If unresolved, disputes go to mediation in Greenville County, SC. Fee disputes and agreed matters go to binding arbitration under AAA rules in Greenville County, SC. Other disputes go to state or federal courts in Greenville County, SC. Both parties waive jury trial. Prevailing party may recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
Electronic signatures are valid and binding. Engagements may be executed in counterparts, together forming one agreement.
Notices must be in writing and delivered personally, by certified mail, or overnight courier to:
Meilinger CPA (MCPA), Attn: Managing Principal • 351 Prado Way, Greenville, SC 29607 and to Client at the address in the Engagement Letter (or updated in writing).
If any provision is invalid, the remainder remains effective. These Terms bind successors and assigns. Confidentiality, indemnification, and dispute resolution survive termination. This Agreement (Engagement Letter + Terms) is the entire agreement. Amendments must be in writing and signed. MCPA may update these Terms from time to time; the current version at www.meilinger.us/terms governs subsequent services.
To assure that our arrangement remains responsive to your needs, as well as fair to both parties, MCPA and client may meet throughout the year and, if necessary, revise or adjust the scope of the services to be provided and the prices to be charged in light of mutual experience.
If the engagement letter specifies meetings as part of the engagement, the assigned manager will be responsible for initiating contact and scheduling such meetings. Clients are expected to reasonably cooperate in scheduling and attending these meetings. If a client refuses to schedule, cancels, or otherwise declines to participate in a meeting, the meeting requirement shall be considered fulfilled, and no credit or refund will be provided for the missed meeting.
This policy ensures that project timelines and deliverables remain on track regardless of client availability.
Meilinger Consulting utilizes secure electronic signature technology to expedite the processing of tax returns and related documents. Clients who choose not to use electronic signatures may either visit our office to sign documents in person or request that documents be mailed for manual signature. Please note that any delays in returning signed documents, particularly tax forms or filings with deadlines, may result in additional reprocessing or administrative fees. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that all signature requests are completed promptly to avoid filing delays or penalties.