Trina J. Hicks CPA in Chattanooga: Solo Tax and Business Accounting for Small Owners

Trina J. Hicks operates a solo CPA practice focused on individual and small-business tax preparation and year-round accounting, serving owner-operators and self-employed professionals who need more than software-driven tax filing but prefer working with a single practitioner rather than a large firm.

What Hicks CPA actually is

A one-person CPA practice differs from both national tax chains and large regional firms. Hicks works directly with clients rather than delegating to junior staff, reducing the friction of repeat explanations and changing contacts. The practice emphasizes tax planning and compliance for self-employed people, small business owners, and rental-property investors—clients whose tax situations cannot be safely templated. Solo practitioners in Chattanooga typically charge by the engagement or by the hour; they do not have the overhead of larger offices but also do not offer the paralegal support or multi-service approach of a full firm.

Services and engagement structure

Hicks CPA handles individual income tax returns, business tax returns (sole proprietorships, S-corps, partnerships, and LLCs), quarterly estimated tax payments, payroll setup and compliance, bookkeeping for small businesses, and year-end tax planning conversations. The practice also advises clients on entity choice for new businesses and helps with IRS correspondence.

Pricing is arranged by engagement rather than posted per-form. For an individual return with straightforward W-2 and charitable income, a client should expect to pay between $300 and $600, depending on complexity. Small-business returns typically run $1,000 to $2,500 per year, rising if the business maintains separate bookkeeping or has multiple entity layers. Quarterly planning sessions or year-round bookkeeping services are discussed during a first consultation. Call to confirm current fee structure, as engagement-based pricing adjusts for scope.

How Hicks CPA compares to other Chattanooga tax preparers

Chattanooga has tax options across three categories. National chains like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt handle simple returns quickly at $150 to $300 and are suitable for W-2 filers with no complications. They use standardized software and staff who are often enrolled agents or bookkeepers, not CPAs, and do not provide tax planning. Larger local firms like those affiliated with accounting or bookkeeping centers offer multi-person teams, multiple service lines (payroll, bookkeeping, audit, consulting), and institutional continuity, but clients typically speak with a senior accountant during intake and then work with support staff. They charge on a similar fee basis as Hicks but require larger engagements.

A solo CPA like Hicks sits between those poles: higher expertise and continuity than a tax chain, direct access to the accountant, but without the ancillary services or institutional bench depth of a full firm. Solo practitioners suit owners who have taxes complex enough to need a CPA credential but don't need a team. If you have a simple tax situation and low budget, a chain is faster. If you own multiple businesses, operate across state lines, or need integrated accounting systems and payroll support, a larger firm may be more capable.

Who this practice serves and who it does not

Hicks CPA works well for self-employed professionals (contractors, consultants, service providers), small-business owners, landlords with rental income, and first-time business owners who need guidance on structure and tax law. The practice also suits individuals with investment income, side income, or complicated deductions who need a CPA to explain and defend their tax strategy.

The practice is less suited for corporations with complex internal controls, multi-entity groups requiring consolidated reporting, or businesses needing real-time bookkeeping software integration and payroll processing. Large businesses typically need a firm with dedicated staff assigned to them. Very simple returns may be over-served by a CPA and can be handled more cost-effectively by a tax software product or a tax preparer.

What the first appointment involves

Initial consultations with solo CPAs typically last 30 to 60 minutes and cover your income sources, business structure (if applicable), prior-year return (if you have one), and the specific goals you want to address. If you are a new business owner, the meeting will address entity choice and quarterly tax planning. If you are already filing, the conversation focuses on what your last return cost, what deductions you may have missed, and whether your current withholding is correct. Bring prior-year returns, bank statements for business accounts, and a summary of expenses or income if you have it. Some solo practitioners require a signed engagement letter and a retainer before beginning work; confirm whether Hicks CPA follows that practice when you call to schedule.

Hours and logistics

Confirm current office hours and whether Hicks CPA offers evening or weekend availability for busy small-business owners. Ask about filing deadlines (April 15 for individual returns, March 15 for most business returns) and how Hicks handles extension requests if you file late. Parking and office location details should be requested when you first call.

Trina J. Hicks CPA serves the portion of Chattanooga's business community that needs real tax planning but values a direct relationship over institutional scale. The practice is worth calling if your tax situation has outgrown DIY software but you don't need a full accounting firm.