WCG CPAs & Advisors: Services, Fees and How It Works

What is WCG CPAs & Advisors?

WCG CPAs & Advisors is a certified public accounting firm headquartered in Colorado Springs. It calls itself "a full-service yet boutique progressive tax, accounting and business consultation firm located in Colorado serving clients worldwide." Most clients never visit the office: the firm says more than 80% of its business clients are outside Colorado, and that most of its clients are in California, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, the Midwest, Florida and New England.

The firm's central idea is that a tax return is "a report card, not a strategy." It wants the planning (entity choice, owner salary, retirement contributions, rental property decisions) to happen during the year, so the return in spring just records it. To fit that, it sells most of its work as annual "platforms" paid monthly, plus a la carte tax returns for people who only want filing.

WCG names four niche areas on its home page: small business advisory (especially S Corp elections and tax planning), CRNA contractors and others in medicine, rental properties and real estate investing, and state tax issues such as nexus and pass-through entity tax, plus expatriate returns (foreign earned income exclusion, FBAR and Form 8938).

Its client list runs from consultants, engineers and financial advisors to physicians, dentists, nurse anesthetists, attorneys, online sellers, real estate agents and investors, and it notes that many clients are "one-person bands."

Who owns and runs WCG?

WCG was founded by Tina Watson, CPA, CFP and Jason Watson, CPA, who are married. The site describes them this way:

• Tina Watson, CPA, CFP, Founding Partner. She holds an MBA and the Certified Financial Planner designation, and her bio says she has more than three decades of professional experience. She also performs CFO and controller duties for the firm, oversees roughly 1,000 client engagements, and leads a tax team of seven. Her CPA license dates from May 2003, according to the firm's history page.
• Jason Watson, CPA, CEO and Partner. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in business from the University of Wisconsin and the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential, and is affiliated with the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. The history page says he was an airline pilot, quit flying in 2015 to help run the firm, and passed the CPA exam in 2018. He writes most of the site's tax content and both books.

The team page also lists these partners: Sally Rhoades, CPA, CFP; Michelle Day, CPA, CFE; Amanda Patten, EA; Megan Oeltjenbruns, CPA; and Rachael Weber, CPA. The history page says Sally received a partnership stake in 2018 and Michelle Day was named partner in 2019, and that the firm renamed itself WCG in 2019 "to allow for employee-ownership."

The firm's rental and tax strategy group, the RETS Pod, is led by Ethan Summers, CPA, a Senior Tax Manager. When we checked, the team page listed 67 people by name, a mix of CPAs, Enrolled Agents (EAs), Chartered Accountants (CAs) in India, accountants and support staff.

We did not look these credentials up in state licensing registries for this guide. If a specific person's license matters to you, every state board of accountancy offers a public license lookup.

A short history of the firm

According to the firm's history page, Tina Watson earned her CPA license in 2003 and, after meeting Jason in 2006, grew a one-person practice (Tina Watson CPA PLLC) from about 35 clients to a few hundred within a year, much of it airline crews Jason recruited while still flying. In 2013 the couple bought two local practices and formed Watson CPA Group. The S Corp book followed in 2014, the ski-town S Corp packages in 2016, and in 2019, with about 2,000 tax clients and 27 full-time employees (the firm's figures), it became WCG and moved into its 6,500 square foot Flying Horse office. In 2020 WCG announced the acquisition of Summit Accounting Solutions, a Denver tax and accounting firm. The firm now describes a "Reset With Intention," moving away from administrative work such as running payroll and toward advisory work.

Is WCG legit? What you can check

People ask this about any firm that works remotely and asks for Social Security numbers. Here is what WCG publishes that a reader can verify or weigh:

• A physical headquarters. The Colorado Springs office at 2393 Flying Horse Club Drive is, according to the site, a single-tenant building designed and owned by Jason and Tina Watson and leased to WCG. It also lists offices in Mitchell, South Dakota and Laramie, Wyoming, and a team office in Ahmedabad, India.
• Named, credentialed people. Partners and staff are listed by name with their CPA, EA, CFP, CFE or CA designations. You can confirm a CPA license with the relevant state board.
• Published fees. Unusually for a CPA firm, WCG publishes detailed fee tables and hourly rates (covered below).
• Written terms. A public Master Service Agreement sets out scope, exclusions and an error policy.
• Reviews it displays. The home page shows a "4.8 Google Rating," and the client reviews page quotes reviews from Google and other platforms. Those are figures the firm itself displays. Its reviews page also says it uses a reputation monitoring service, does not pay anyone to "stuff the ballot box," and admits it has "upset clients in the past."

On mistakes, the reviews page says: "if we created a penalty for you, we will pay it," and that it has refunded fees "at times when appropriate." The Master Service Agreement spells out the details (see IRS notices and audits).

What services does WCG offer?

The site also covers forensic accounting, expert witness work, offers in compromise, installment agreements, sales tax compliance and 1031 exchanges. WCG says it does not give investment advice: it calls this a "Stay in Our Lane" rule and hands those questions to financial advisors.

How much does tax preparation cost at WCG?

WCG publishes fee ranges rather than billing by the form or by the hour. It says fees aim to match expected time, can go up for disorganized records, can go down in a simpler year, and that it tries to hold fees steady for returning clients. These are the published figures when we checked on 19 October 2026.

Individual returns (Form 1040)

FasTrac excludes brokerage accounts, K-1s, rentals, small businesses, home sales and 1099-Rs. A worked example on the personal tax page: "One state, five rentals. $1,200 to $1,500."

Rental property returns

Rental returns start at $950 (most $950 to $1,100). On top of an advisory platform, per-rental prep runs $100 each with WCG-prepared books, $150 with clean do-it-yourself records, and $300 with "complex or messy records." Short-term rental activity adds $75 each. One-time setup fees run $125 per existing rental and $200 per new 2026 purchase ($250 for a new short-term rental). A cost segregation setup with Form 3115 is $625, a rental sale $250, a 1031 exchange with new setup $450, and a complex 1031 $750.

Business returns

Partnership and corporate returns start at $1,500, with most between $1,500 and $1,800, "depending on the quality of your accounting records." A single-member LLC without an S Corp election is reported on the owner's 1040, and that return is typically $800 to $1,000.

The advisory platforms: Keystone, Copper, Breck and Vail

Most ongoing clients sign up for an annual platform, priced per year and paid monthly. The fee page, which carried a note that it was being revamped when we checked, lists:

What the platforms include. Each platform covers the tax returns it names, pre-preparation and return review meetings, three scheduled 20-minute "quick chats" between May and November, and help with IRS and state notices. Household tax projections are included on Keystone, Breck and Vail. Extra states, expat filings, business-entity tax projections and PTET optimization are add-ons on some or all platforms; the fee page's comparison table shows which.

What Vail adds. The fee page describes Vail as "everything in the Breck platform, plus a second tax strategy session, a dedicated payroll plan, and ongoing payroll support." It lists nine possible touchpoints a year, including a mid-year 75-minute strategy session, a year-end strategy session in October or November, and one tax advisory computation.

Rental and K-1 upgrades. Rental properties, K-1 investments and extra states are priced as add-ons layered onto the platform (rental prices above).

Billing details. Fees are annualized, so the monthly amount is higher if you start partway through the year. From about August, WCG stops bundling tax return preparation into new platforms and bills the return separately the following season.

Older names and prices. Some older service pages on the site still describe platforms named Telluride and Aspen, investor plans named Houses, Hotels and Monopoly, and lower prices (for example Vail at $4,500 and Keystone at $1,740). The Master Service Agreement says the signed proposal controls and that the fee page shows current fees. If you see two prices, ask which one your proposal uses.

Tax planning services and prices

WCG splits "tax planning" into four separate services, and its test is simple: "If we computed it, it is Tax Advisory. If we discussed it, it is a Tax Strategy Session."

1. Tax Projection: a mock return built from your expected income ("your facts, your tax"), with an estimated payment schedule.
2. Tax Strategy Session: one strategy discussed on its merits, with a written recap. Nothing is computed.
3. Tax Advisory: one strategy computed into your projection so you see the difference side by side.
4. Tax Advisory Project: several strategies, several years or several scenarios, ending in a written Tax Strategy Plan.

The firm also offers a 40-minute paid consultation with a partner for $250, which it says is credited toward an advisory or Tax Patrol engagement if you go ahead.

Timing rules. Projections need your data by 31 July. If it arrives later, WCG says it will base the projection on the prior year ("same as last year," or SALY) rather than "scramble in November and December." Its stated aim is "tax neutrality," which it defines as targeting about a $1,000 federal refund and a $500 state refund, or a larger cushion for high earners with variable income.

Rental property and real estate work

Real estate is one of WCG's largest focus areas. Its Rental Expert & Tax Strategist (RETS) Pod, led by Ethan Summers, CPA, works alongside each client's main tax team. The firm says all RETS members are licensed CPAs, EAs or Chartered Accountants, that many own rental property themselves, and that many members prepare rental schedules from January to April and focus on strategy from May to December.

The rental pages cover depreciation schedules, cost segregation studies and how they flow into the return, passive activity losses and suspended loss carryforwards, real estate professional status (REPS), the short-term rental rules, 1031 exchange reporting, and nonresident state returns for out-of-state rentals. When onboarding new rental clients, WCG says it reconstructs depreciation schedules and passive loss carryforwards and reviews prior returns for errors.

The books. I Just Got A Rental, What Do I Do? (2026 edition, which the book page says was updated 5 April 2026) lists at $32.95 in paperback on Amazon, $21.95 on Kindle and $18.95 as a PDF. Taxpayer's Comprehensive Guide to LLCs and S Corps (2025 edition) lists at $49.95, $39.95 and $29.95.

Business formation, S Corp elections and payroll

Forming a business

WCG forms LLCs, partnerships and corporations in all 50 states and DC for $625 plus state filing fees ($925 when there are foreign owners). That includes the EIN, a single-member LLC operating agreement (or a template for corporate bylaws), a timely S Corp election when made with formation, and an accountable plan. An initial report, where a state requires one, is $125 plus the state fee; an annual report is $350 plus the state fee. WCG notes it is not a law firm, provides an operating agreement only for single-member LLCs, and recommends an attorney for multi-owner entities.

S Corp elections

A timely S Corp election (within about 75 days) is $450 on its own. Late elections back to January are priced higher. The fee table gives $600 if WCG can file with the return by 15 March and $1,200 after that, though another section of the same page says $900 to $1,200, so confirm the figure. WCG files late elections under IRS Revenue Procedure 2013-30 when the entity qualifies.

Payroll

WCG no longer runs payroll for clients. Instead it uses what it calls the WCG Payroll Path: it sets up your ADP account and state and local payroll accounts, builds a payroll plan, and then you run payroll yourself in ADP. The setup, called the Payroll Quick Launch, is listed at $950 to $1,050 depending on the state and includes a 90-minute screen-share tutorial and 60 days of email support. Payroll account setup or closing alone is $550 to $650. A payroll plan, covering a reasonable owner salary and withholding strategy, is $450.

Bookkeeping (accounting services)

WCG calls bookkeeping "accounting services" and defines it as "bookkeeping plus analysis." It works only in QuickBooks Online and keeps exclusive custody of the books (you get read-only access). Published fees:

Starting fees assume two bank accounts with fewer than 250 monthly transactions and do not include the QuickBooks subscription. Every engagement starts with an accounting assessment to set scope and price. According to the Master Service Agreement, financial statements are delivered by the 25th of the following month if WCG has the data by the 10th, and they are for management use (not a compilation, review or audit).

IRS notices, audits and representation

WCG's tax resolution page sorts notice work into three tiers:

• Streamlined: WCG reviews the notice and drafts a response, allocating about 30 minutes. Available for returns WCG prepared.
• Advanced: phone calls and written responses, for issues like missing payments or processing delays. Included in the advisory platforms; otherwise "our initial (usually final) fee for Advanced resolution is $750, which includes 2 hours."
• Comprehensive (audits): representation "in all levels of IRS or state agency examinations except tax court," with an initial retainer of $1,125 for 3 hours. The fee page lists tax resolution and audit assistance at $375 an hour.

If WCG makes a mistake. The Master Service Agreement says that if WCG caused a notice, its fees do not apply, and it will reimburse penalties and 50% of the interest (not the tax itself), paid by check after abatement efforts are finished.

Hourly rates and other fees

WCG prefers fixed and ranged fees, but publishes hourly rates for work outside those:

Payment. Invoices go out through WCG's client system (Canopy). The site says you can pay by credit card or bank draft, and that PayPal is also accepted.

How working with WCG works, step by step

1. Discovery call. A free 20-minute call with a partner or senior tax professional, usually on Microsoft Teams on a weekday. WCG says it answers appointment requests by email within 24 to 36 hours.
2. Proposal. For platform clients, WCG drafts a proposal with the scope and a fixed annual fee, and may meet again to adjust it.
3. Section 7216 consent and engagement letter. You sign a consent allowing WCG to share return information with its India team (see below), then a digital engagement letter. The consent covers you and your entities on one signature and lasts seven years.
4. Onboarding. The fee page says onboarding usually takes 4 to 6 weeks: housekeeping documents, payroll setup if needed, and gathering financial data.
5. Send documents. Upload to your secure ShareFile folder (preferred), or fax or mail. WCG uses its own checklists and online worksheets.
6. Preparation and review. Returns are prepared first-in, first-out. You review a return summary and a two-year comparison, sign e-file authorizations, and pay the invoice.
7. Filing. The review page says you get a filing confirmation in 1 to 2 days and an acceptance notice in 2 to 3 days. Platform clients then move into the year's planning meetings (May to November).

Each client gets a two-person core team, a Client Manager (a partner or tax manager) and a Tax Accountant, and may also work with the RETS Pod, an accounting professional and support staff. WCG says that means "two to four people" depending on the engagement.

Turnaround times and how WCG communicates

• Return turnaround. The service level page (dated February 2025) gives about 10 to 12 days in January and 15 to 18 days in February and March, counted from when WCG has everything it needs. The tax preparation FAQ says most returns are done in 2 to 4 weeks in peak season and 1 to 2 weeks outside it.
• Extensions. The fee page says WCG files 65% of returns by 15 April and extends only on request or when data such as a K-1 is missing. Complex returns are "commonly extended into August and September."
• Email. The tax team generally processes email on Mondays and Thursdays and commits to answering within 3 business days. Questions that would take more than 10 minutes to answer by email get a call or a meeting instead.
• Office hours are not published. Call 719-387-9800, text 719-345-2100, or use the chat on the site. Accommodations are offered for military clients on secure bases, expats in other time zones, and anyone who needs email as their main channel.

Data security, the India team and AI tools

WCG is open about where client data goes:

• The India team. WCG says "a quarter of WCG works in India," in its own office in Ahmedabad, as employees rather than an outsourcing vendor (WCG India Global Services Private Limited). Federal law (Internal Revenue Code section 7216) requires your written consent before return information is shared with a preparer outside the US, so WCG asks every client to sign that consent before work starts. You can withdraw it at any time.
• Systems. Documents are kept in Citrix ShareFile; tax software is hosted by Rightworks; workflow and billing run on CanopyTax; tax binders use SurePrep. Secure forms run on Formstack and Jotform with two-factor access for staff.
• AI tools. WCG names Filed.com as its main AI provider and says data stays in the US, is encrypted, and is not used to train AI models. Your engagement letter discloses AI use.

Where is WCG located? Do you need to be local?

The headquarters is at 2393 Flying Horse Club Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921, at the southwest corner of Highway 83 and the entrance to The Club at Flying Horse. The site also lists 300 N Main St, Mitchell, SD 57301 and 920 E Sheridan, Laramie, WY 82070, plus the Ahmedabad, India office.

You don't need to be local. WCG says it works with clients in all 50 states, with document upload, video review calls, e-signature and e-filing. In-person meetings are possible at the Colorado Springs office. If the IRS requires an office or field audit, WCG says it will ask for the case to be moved to the Colorado Springs or Denver IRS office.

How WCG compares with other options

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

Questions to ask before you sign

1. Which platform or tax-only fee will my proposal use, and which add-ons (states, rentals, K-1s) will apply to me?
2. Who will be my Client Manager and Tax Accountant, and what are their credentials?
3. If I start mid-year, what is my monthly fee, and will this year's return be billed separately?
4. What does basic audit support cover on my platform, and when would the $750 or $1,125 fees apply?
5. For a late S Corp election, which fee applies to my timing?
6. What does the Section 7216 consent cover, and what happens if I decline it?

How to get started

1. Read the fee structure page to see which service or platform matches your situation.
2. Book the free 20-minute discovery meeting from the contact page, or call 719-387-9800.
3. Have your most recent tax returns and a rough picture of your income, entities and rentals ready for the call.
4. If you go ahead, sign the 7216 consent and engagement letter, then upload documents to ShareFile.

Visit WCG CPAs & Advisors

Terms you'll see on the site

• S Corp: a tax status an LLC or corporation can elect with IRS Form 2553; the business files Form 1120-S and owners who work in it take a salary through payroll.
• Reasonable salary: the wage an S Corp owner-employee pays themselves, which the IRS expects to reflect the work done.
• PTET: pass-through entity tax, a state tax paid by a partnership or S Corp that works around the federal cap on state and local tax deductions.
• Cost segregation: a study that splits a building's cost into shorter-lived parts so more can be depreciated sooner.
• REPS: real estate professional status, a set of IRS tests that changes how rental losses are treated.
• Form 2848: the IRS power of attorney form that lets a CPA or EA deal with the IRS for you.
• Section 7216 consent: your written permission for a preparer to share tax return information, for example with staff outside the US.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

All pages checked on 19 October 2026.

1. WCG CPAs & Advisors, home page: wcginc.com
2. Fee structure: wcginc.com/fee-structure/
3. Contact us: wcginc.com/contact-us/
4. About us: wcginc.com/about-us/
5. History of WCG: wcginc.com/history-of-wcg/
6. Meet our team: team page, Jason Watson bio, Tina Watson bio
7. Client reviews: wcginc.com/about-us/client-reviews/
8. Value proposition: wcginc.com/value-proposition/
9. Tax return preparation: overview, S Corp returns, rental property returns
10. Personal tax prep fees: wcginc.com/tax-center/personal-tax-prep/
11. FasTrac 1040: wcginc.com/tax-center/fastrac-1040/
12. Small business taxes: wcginc.com/business-services/small-business-taxes/
13. Business advisory and patrol services: wcginc.com/business-services/business-advisory-and-patrol-services/
14. Investor Tax Patrol services: wcginc.com/tax-center/investor-patrol-services/
15. Tax planning services: wcginc.com/tax-support/tax-planning-services/
16. Periodic scheduled quick chats: wcginc.com/tax-support/complimentary-quick-chats/
17. RETS Pod: wcginc.com/tax-center/rental-experts-tax-strategists-rets-pod/
18. Business formation fees: wcginc.com/business-formation-services/business-formation-fees/
19. Payroll: wcginc.com/business-services/payroll/
20. Monthly bookkeeping services: wcginc.com/accounting-services/monthly-bookkeeping-services/
21. Specialty support services: overview, IRS audit defense
22. Tax resolution services: wcginc.com/tax-support/tax-resolution-services/
23. Master Service Agreement: wcginc.com/wcg-master-service-agreement/
24. Getting started (1040): wcginc.com/tax-center/getting-started/
25. Service level agreement: wcginc.com/tax-center/sla/
26. Tax return review: wcginc.com/tax-return-review/
27. Security and privacy procedures: wcginc.com/tax-center/security-and-privacy-procedures/
28. Books: wcginc.com/business-services/book/