Business

Michel Valbrun Shares Tips With Firms About Asking The Right Questions While Hiring CPA

Published

5 years ago

June 23, 2021

Michel Valbrun, CEO & Founder Of Valbrun Group Brings In Value Based Learning For Firms/Entrepreneurs

Michel Valbrun, a reputed CPA, helps entrepreneurs and businesses understand the importance of saving money on taxes and use it as a tool to create wealth. This has helped many of his clients create generational wealth. His multiples of experience in the corporate and accounting firms helped him start his own venture ‘Valbrun Group’ – where he opened his own accounting firm. He is sharing some tips with the firm owners and brand owners on how to ask the right questions when they hire a CPA.

Question #1

Afraid of the IRS? Not suitable then. An individual with the CPA role should be absolutely comfortable and work willing, and try to engage with the idea of handling an IRS audit.

If they are overly nervous about the IRS audits or how they work, find someone else to do the job for you. Some of the tax preparers often advised: “Don’t take this deduction, even though it’s legitimate, because it might raise a red flag and get you audited.” This is a statement that comes from a place of insecurity and unpreparedness.

Question #2

Are you ready to handle IRS communications, if necessary? Hire the best tax advisor who is highly capable to deal with an IRS auditor, not you. Michel shares, ‘I cannot emphasize this point enough. It is highly advisable that you as a business/brand owner don’t converse with the IRS directly. No means no!.’

Be it a simple request or an extensive audit, the IRS could easily flood you with too much information as you are a common man who is unaware of the depth of the knowledge they hold. Your CPA should know this depth even more than the IRS.

Question #3

Have you experienced an IRS audit before? Listen to them carefully. How was their experience with the rendezvous? Ask them a few examples if you don’t understand something. Also feel free to understand how it ended at the end. There can be 100 different scenarios in your case, however, it is necessary to understand how they react in such instances.

Losing an audit means losing a huge refund for the client. In some cases, it means a huge tax refund if the auditor won. In fact, it is better if the taxpayer was better off losing when you combine the two years of tax paid.

Question #4

Do you know how to build a relationship with an IRS auditor? This is a moment changing answer usually. CPA with good people skills can make the IRS auditor feel comfortable and really do their best to coax them. Auditors usually have a really tough job, and building rapport with them can make a big difference in the results.

Keeping proper documentation of expenses can keep the tax return in check. Always ask for a list of the documents you need to keep for emergencies. It’s critical to keep good records. Led and mentored by Michel Valbrun, most small and medium-size businesses can easily reduce their tax burden legally and ethically. To get some tax or finance saving advice from the genius himself, check out Michel’s website and save all your money to create wealth for the upcoming generations.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

6 days ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.