Self-employment changes what you need from an accountant. There is no employer withholding tax, so quarterly estimates fall to you. Self-employment tax sits on top of income tax. Business and personal spending blur together unless you keep them apart. An accountant who works with the self-employed should raise all three before you ask.
We have not used any of these firms. Each was included because its own website names self-employed people, sole proprietors or independent professionals as clients.
How we chose
- Self-employed clients named on the firm's own site. Wording such as “self-employed”, “sole proprietors” or “independent professionals”.
- Near Easton. An office in Easton or a neighboring town: Brockton, Stoughton, Mansfield and the like.
- Facts only. Credentials only as stated by the firm; no ratings, review counts or prices.
The firms
1.Murphy Accounting
Best for: Sole proprietors, single-member LLCs and S corporation owners who want one accountant for the books and both returns
187 Washington Street, North Easton, MA 02356
Self-employed and owner-led businesses are who we built the practice around: monthly bookkeeping so the numbers are current, and a business return and personal return that agree. Our office is in North Easton.
- Monthly bookkeeping and catch-up bookkeeping.
- Business and individual tax preparation and planning.
- Payroll support for S corporation owners paying themselves.
2.EBPI (Emerging Business Partners)
Best for: Self-employed people and partners with investment or rental income
North Easton, MA
A North Easton firm whose website says that if you or your spouse are self-employed or a partner in a firm, you will benefit from working with one of its tax advisors. It lists tax, bookkeeping, payroll and business advisory.
- Lists Enrolled Agents among its leadership.
3.Brenda J. McGivern, P.C.
Best for: Self-employed professionals in health and wellness
Stoughton, MA
A Stoughton CPA firm listing outsourced bookkeeping, payroll, QuickBooks services and tax, with material on quarterly estimated payments for the self-employed and pages for medical and wellness practices.
- Its website lists a CPA and an Enrolled Agent.
4.Tax Advisor (Brockton office)
Best for: Sole proprietors who need catch-up bookkeeping as well as a return
Brockton, MA
One office of a small Massachusetts tax and bookkeeping company whose website says it assists individuals, sole proprietors and businesses with federal and state returns, and lists catch-up and ongoing bookkeeping.
Visit Tax Advisor (Brockton office)’s website →5.Childs Accounting Group
Best for: Sole proprietors wanting a nearby office by the train station
Mansfield, MA
A downtown Mansfield firm preparing individual returns and business returns for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations, with bookkeeping and tax representation.
Visit Childs Accounting Group’s website →6.Adams LLC
Best for: Independent professionals who may also need IRS help
Easton, MA
An Easton CPA practice offering services for business owners, executives and independent professionals, including tax planning, small-business accounting and IRS problem resolution.
Visit Adams LLC’s website →7.Accountable Advisors
Best for: Independent professionals wanting accounting, payroll and tax together
Stoughton, MA
A Stoughton CPA practice that says it offers accounting, payroll and tax services for small business owners, executives and independent professionals.
Visit Accountable Advisors’s website →8.Marc D. Schwartz, CPA
Best for: Independent professionals comfortable working virtually
Mansfield, MA
A Mansfield CPA practice listing bookkeeping, tax preparation and planning, QuickBooks services and virtual CPA services for business owners and independent professionals.
Visit Marc D. Schwartz, CPA’s website →
What a self-employed person should expect an accountant to cover
- Quarterly estimated taxes: how much, when, and how to adjust mid-year.
- Self-employment tax, and whether a different entity or S corporation election would change it.
- Retirement plan options for the self-employed, and the deadlines to open and fund them.
- Records: what to keep, and how to keep business and personal spending apart.
General information, not advice for your specific situation. Tax rules, prices and product features change, and firms change what they offer — check with the provider before relying on anything here, and talk to us or another qualified professional before acting on it.
