Plan for the life you want, not just the year you had.
Tax savings slip by quietly, one missed opportunity at a time. We plan around life's big moments so you don't miss them.
If you've felt this way, you're not alone.
You deserve a CPA who plans around your whole life, not just your tax return.
- You got married, changed jobs, or sold a home, and no one explained the tax impact.
- You have stock compensation, rentals, or an upcoming sale, and no clear plan for the taxes.
- Your CPA, financial advisor, and estate attorney have never spoken to each other.
- You're saving for retirement or your kids' education, but you're not sure you're doing it in the most tax-efficient way.
Tax planning that looks at the big picture.
Small decisions add up. We make sure they add up in your favor.
Tax planning
Year-round planning across every part of your financial life, keeping you ahead of your taxes instead of reacting to them.
Major life events
Selling a home or business, an inheritance, equity liquidity, or retirement. We plan ahead so these moments don't come with a costly surprise.
Retirement tax planning
Which accounts to use, how to save, and how to draw down your savings with the least tax.
Estate coordination
Working with your estate attorney so your plan passes on your wealth the way you want, with as little lost to taxes as possible.
Tax preparation
Your returns are filed accurately and on time, with every planning opportunity captured.
IRS notices and audits
If the IRS sends a letter, we handle it, up to a set number of hours each year, so you don't have to.
Why people work with us
Proactive advice, predictable pricing, and a team that's on your side all year.
Tax experts
Not all CPAs are made equal. We specialize in tax planning, with 1,500+ strategies screened for every client.
Comprehensive solutions
Seamless tax & accounting. We offer tax, bookkeeping, and advisory services to simplify your life.
Unlimited consultations
Call or email with a question anytime. We'll never charge you extra fees for asking a question.
Fixed fee pricing
One initial planning fee, then a retainer. You know the cost up front and never get billed by the hour.
Audit protection
If the IRS sends a notice or opens an exam, we handle it, up to a set number of hours each year.
Satisfaction guaranteed
We stand behind our work with two money-back guarantees, so you can get started with confidence.
Four steps to paying less, year after year.
Free tax diagnostic
We analyze your last 2 to 3 years of returns for IRS red flags, errors, and missed opportunities, then give you an upfront savings estimate.
Your tax strategy
Through a series of strategy sessions and a 360° look at your personal and business finances, we build a plan tailored to you.
Your plan, put to work
We walk you through each step and handle the details, so every strategy gets put into action correctly.
Year-round care
Tax savings aren't set-it-and-forget-it. We adjust your strategy as your life and tax laws change, and we're here whenever you have a question.
Meet your CPAs.
We're Ying and Chris Pfau, a husband-and-wife team of CPAs. We started Lakemont to give individuals, families, and business owners the kind of proactive planning we'd want for our own family. That's why you'll work directly with us, not a rotating team of juniors.
Together we bring 25+ years of combined experience in tax and accounting, and we've put it to work helping some clients save six figures in a single year. We serve clients across the country, coordinating with your business and estate attorneys, financial advisors, and bookkeepers to build one cohesive plan.
Questions from individuals and families
When does tax planning make sense?
Planning pays off most when your finances have more than one moving part. We work with professionals with stock compensation, families with rental properties, retirees planning how to draw down their savings, and business owners. In each of these situations, the right strategy can save you a significant amount, and missing one can cost you just as much.
Timing matters too. Life events like getting married, having a child, receiving an inheritance, or retiring all carry tax consequences. So do financial moves, like exercising stock options, selling investments, or buying a rental property. Once the decision is made, most of your options are locked in. Planning ahead lets you make each move the smart way from the start, instead of discovering the tax cost after it's too late to change.
If you're not sure whether planning is worth it, we recommend getting our free tax diagnostic. Think of it as a second opinion on your taxes. Many clients are surprised by how much they've been leaving on the table.
Can you work with my current financial advisor?
Yes. We can coordinate with your financial advisor, estate attorney, and anyone else on your team, so your tax plan and your investments work together instead of against each other.
Can you just prepare my tax return?
We don't normally offer tax preparation separately from our tax planning because we believe planning is where we provide the most value. A return looks back at last year, while planning shapes this year and the years ahead.
If you're only looking for a return to be filed, we may not be the best fit, and we're happy to refer you to someone who is. If you're not sure, our free tax diagnostic is a good place to start. It will show you whether planning could make a difference for you.
What does a tax plan include?
Your plan looks at every part of your financial life through a tax lens, from how you earn and invest today to how you'll save for college, retire, and pass on what you've built.
It starts with a review of your past tax returns to catch errors and missed deductions. Then we conduct a number of strategy sessions to understand you: your goals, your family, your financial situation, and what's coming next.
From there, we deliver a written plan that summarizes our analysis, lays out clear next steps, and cites the tax laws and regulations behind each recommendation. Reducing your taxes is only part of it. Your plan also keeps you compliant with IRS rules, so you avoid costly surprises down the road.
After we deliver your tax plan, we help you each year with your tax filings and estimated payments, and update your plan as your life changes.
How much does it cost?
We keep pricing simple. You pay a one-time fee to build your tax plan, then a fixed retainer that covers ongoing planning, tax filings, and unlimited consultations throughout the year. No hourly billing, and no surprise invoices.
See what a plan could be worth to your family.
Send us your last 2 to 3 years of tax returns. We'll analyze them for IRS red flags, errors, and missed opportunities, then discuss your potential savings.
Get your free tax diagnostic