Roz Marketing March 2018

RON FRIEDMAN, CPA SPOTLIGHT: MEMBER

Ron Friedman, CPA, says he entered the tax resolution industry “by accident.” As it turns out, this accident was the textbook definition of serendipity, the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. Ron explains, “I was referred to a tax resolution client by a client of mine, and I was able to get a $65,000 tax bill reduced to $1,500.” Beginner’s luck joined serendipity, as Ron is quick to say that he didn’t have the specific education and tools he needed to be certain he was doing what was needed for his client. “I honestly didn’t understand what I was doing,” he says, “so I decided I should do some continuing education.” Ron registered for a tax course, and serendipity struck again. Michael Rozbruch was a guest speaker. “[There was] just something about Mike that reeled me in,” Ron recalls. “I was raised on Long Island, my undergrad was done at Queens College, City University of New York, and my MBA is from St. John’s University (also in Queens). I knew right off the bat that Mike was from New York … that we were kindred spirits.” Ron bought Michael Rozbruch’s Tax Resolution System & Toolkit four years ago, and he has come a long way since that first “accidental” case, which, by the way, he handled pro bono. “It was an introduction into how to do the work, and I’m still learning,” he says. “There’s so much to know.” Prior to getting into tax resolution, Ron says he was a CPA in public accounting before striking out on his own. Ron recognized that the traditional accounting firm service lines and methods of delivery were becoming dated and was searching for a niche he could specialize in. Tax resolution presented new challenges and opportunities. Ron’s No. 1 challenge? “The fear of making a mistake,” he says. Michael helped Ron, who was new to tax resolution, overcome his fear and went even further, encouraging Ron to market his expertise.

Ron working out.

Focusing on implementing more marketing on a consistent basis is one of Ron’s top goals for 2018. He has hired a marketing specialist, and he is using videos on his website to promote his practice. “One [video] stars a client who I was able to do some tax resolution work for,” Ron explains. “This taxpayer was suffering from life-threatening ailments, and the stress was eating at him. He was a perfect candidate for one of the videos.” Ron is also actively promoting the Audit Protection Plan to his individual and corporate tax preparation clients. “I want to push my take rate to much higher,” Ron says, acknowledging that adding the Audit Protection Plan, which includes ID theft protection to every return, is beneficial for his clients. When Ron isn’t assisting his clients with their tax problems, he is most often in the gym, weight training and running. In addition, and depending on the season, he’s busy playing softball and basketball or watching sports — all New York teams, of course!

4 • www.rozstrategies.com

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