What do you picture when you think about financial planning? Most people picture two separate relationships: one with their CPA, and another with their financial advisor. But really, in practice, those relationships shouldn’t exist in isolation. Having your CPA and advisor in regular communication can change how effective your planning feels—especially when things get complex.
When your CPA and advisor stay connected and aligned, it’s easier for them to spot opportunities that may have otherwise been missed.
What Happened With One of My Clients
Not long ago, a client (let’s call her Jane) and I started working together. One of my first steps was to reach out to her CPA to get acquainted and share context. The goal wasn’t to overhaul anything; it was to connect the dots early and give both of us a clearer picture of where Jane stood.
During our initial meeting, the CPA and I reviewed Jane’s tax outlook, talked through her portfolio distributions, and flagged a few things that could benefit from a closer look. Nothing urgent, just adjustments worth making while there was still time to think them through.
Later in the year, we reconnected to review Jane’s year-to-date investment activity before the end of the calendar year. That timing gave us room to plan, not react, and helped avoid surprises when her tax return was finalized. Once Jane’s return was ready, her CPA sent it over so we could walk through it together and identify any planning topics to consider for the following year.
This kind of rhythm (checking in at meaningful points instead of waiting until deadlines hit) is more than just convenient, it’s a way to stay ahead of changes and keep your decisions connected across all parts of your financial life.
What Regular Collaboration Offers You
A Better Grip on Tax Planning
Taxes are part of almost every financial decision, even when they don’t seem front and center. Having your advisor and CPA in touch gives both professionals a clearer view, allowing them to consider strategies that may be worth evaluating (like Roth conversions or charitable giving techniques) without guessing at missing pieces.
Instead of chasing deductions or plugging in shortcuts, the goal is to make strategic decisions that reflect your long-term goals and the tax implications that come with them.
Less Scrambling, Fewer Unknowns
One of the most common concerns I hear is how stressful tax season can be—especially if you’re caught off guard. Maybe it’s a bigger-than-expected tax bill or needing to sell investments quickly. Or perhaps it’s realizing too late that you could have made a different move if you’d had more lead time.
When there’s a rhythm to collaboration, those fire drills happen far less often. You gain the chance to look ahead, adjust as needed, and move through tax season with more clarity and fewer curveballs.
Aligning Strategy Across the Board
You might have different goals for different accounts. Some are geared toward retirement, others toward giving, education, or future flexibility. Each of those choices has a tax angle, and ideally your advisor and CPA are considering them together.
For example, deciding where to take distributions from isn’t just an investment question, it’s also a tax question. The more your team is talking, the more likely those decisions reflect the full picture, not just one piece of it.
Room to Adjust As Life Changes
Good planning leaves space to adapt. When your advisor and CPA are both tuned in, you don’t have to re-explain your story or juggle updates between professionals. Whether it’s a career shift, a change in family dynamics, or thinking through legacy goals, that shared understanding helps make planning feel connected rather than fragmented.
Stronger Relationships, Better Results
CPA and financial advisor collaboration throughout the year tends to help planning feel smoother; less stressful, more complete, and better timed.
You don’t need to wait for April to make that introduction. In fact, now might be the best time to connect the two. Even a simple email to start the conversation can create a more strategic planning experience going forward.
If you’d like to explore what that kind of collaboration could look like for your own situation—or want help initiating that conversation with your CPA—I’d be happy to connect and talk it through. Call (317) 469-2455, email ssteel@deerfieldfa.com, or use my online calendar to schedule a meeting, and see what my clients have to say about working with me here.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPA and Financial Advisor Collaboration
Why is it important for my CPA and financial advisor to talk to each other?
When your CPA and financial advisor communicate regularly, they can connect tax planning with your broader financial strategy. This helps reduce last-minute surprises and keeps your financial decisions more coordinated.
What can go wrong if my CPA and financial advisor don’t collaborate?
You might miss tax-saving opportunities or make decisions that don’t align across your accounts. Without communication, each professional is working with only part of your financial picture.
How often should my CPA and financial advisor connect?
A good rhythm is to check in a few times a year, especially before key deadlines like year-end tax planning or big financial moves. It doesn’t have to be frequent, just well-timed.
What types of decisions benefit from CPA and advisor collaboration?
Decisions like Roth conversions, charitable giving, portfolio withdrawals, and business income planning all have tax implications. Coordinating those choices can lead to better outcomes across the board.
About Susie
Susie Steel is COO, Wealth Manager, and Senior Shareholder at Deerfield Financial Advisors, a fee-only financial advisory and wealth management firm with offices in Indianapolis and Chicago. With over three decades of experience in financial planning, Susie’s approach has always been rooted in a spirit of service, treating each client as an extension of her own family. She simplifies the complex for clients, with the goal of creating a calm, trusting, and nurturing environment. Her unwavering commitment to the principle of “To whom much is given, much will be required” serves as the driving force behind her dedication, diligence, and empathy.
Susie obtained a business management degree from Ball State University, holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation, and held the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) designation from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) from 2013 to 2018. Susie is actively involved with an extensive list of professional organizations, including NAPFA (The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors), a premier association of fee-only financial advisors, and has served on multiple boards, committees, and councils. Her consistent recognition as one of Indianapolis Monthly’s “Five Star Wealth Managers” for the past decade attests to her outstanding accomplishments (2009-2025).
Outside the professional realm, Susie has contributed to her community through numerous efforts including her involvement in the Financial Center First Credit Union (FCFCU), the Indianapolis Children’s Museum Planned Giving Council, the Kiwanis Club of Northwest Indianapolis, and Junior Achievement. She mentors women through the CFP® Board’s “WIN-to-WIN” program, embodies the spirit of Rotary Club of Carmel, advocates for Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN), and actively serves on the board of the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center (MRNC).
Susie and her husband, Kevin, reside in Carmel, Indiana, where they raised their three children. Outside the office, her focus centers around family, spirituality, and fostering meaningful connections. Embracing the concept of the body as a temple, her personal growth is nurtured through practices like strength training, yoga, and meditation. In her leisure time, she enjoys strolls with her dog, Lulu, and indulges in movies, podcasts, books, and the theater. To connect with Susie online, follow her on LinkedIn or Facebook.
