General Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Category:

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions we hear most from small business owners considering Athena.

S-Corp

Pricing & Fees

Tax Planning & Strategy

Tax Preparation

Bookkeeping

Getting Started

General Questions

Can I switch to Athena in the middle of the year?

Yes. Most clients come to us mid-year, not at a clean calendar-year start.

We begin by getting caught up on whatever's already in place before moving into regular ongoing work, so switching mid-year is normal, not a problem.

Do you handle California sales tax?

Sales tax isn't a core specialty of ours, but we keep an eye on nexus issues as your business grows.

If a dedicated sales tax filing becomes necessary, we'll flag it and point you toward the right resource rather than let it become a surprise.

How do I get started with Athena?

Start with a conversation. We talk through your business, where your books and taxes currently stand, and what you need help with.

From there, we put together a plan and get you onboarded, starting with organizing whatever is already in place before moving into regular monthly work.

How quickly can I expect a response when I have a question?

Same day, in most cases. Being easy to reach is one of the specific things Athena is built around, since it's the most common complaint business owners have about their previous accountant.

Is Athena a good fit for a brand new business?

Yes. A lot of the value in working with Athena comes from setting things up right from the start, your entity structure, your bookkeeping system, and your tax strategy, instead of fixing mistakes later.

If you're just getting started, that's often the easiest time for us to help.

What areas does Athena Tax & Advisory serve?

Athena Tax & Advisory is based in Northridge and focuses on small business owners throughout the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.

If you're outside that immediate area but still in Southern California, reach out and we can talk through whether it's a good fit.

What happens if my business gets audited?

We keep your books and filings clean and well-documented all year, so if an audit ever comes up, you're not scrambling to reconstruct records under pressure.

Having organized, current books from the start is the single biggest thing that makes an audit manageable instead of stressful.

What industries does Athena work with?

Athena focuses on service-based small businesses, generally in the range of $100,000 to $400,000 in annual revenue.

Food service and businesses with heavy inventory tracking aren't a strong fit for how we operate, since those bring a different kind of bookkeeping complexity than what we specialize in.

What makes Athena different from a typical accountant?

Most accountants get overloaded, take on too many clients, and become too busy to pay attention to any one business. Every owner we've talked to has the same complaint about their previous accountant.

Athena is built to stay available year-round, not just during tax season, and to run your bookkeeping, tax filing, and tax planning as one connected relationship instead of three separate vendors.

How do I start my remodel?

Just reach out for a free quote. We’ll walk you through every step, from planning to finish.

What payment options are available?

We accept credit cards, checks, and bank transfers. Let us know what works best for you.

How do I get in touch?

Call, email, or use our contact form. We’re here to help and usually reply the same day.

Can I change or cancel my project?

Yes, you can make changes or cancel anytime before work begins. Just let us know.

Still need help? We’re happy to chat.

Talk to our team