u/Granny-Weatherwax

I got an email last week from a person I don’t know introducing himself as the new District Experience Manager for Chicago/Rockford/Southern Wisconsin which seems like a huge area. He sent a few more emails about being in various offices for an hour here and there to meet people in person. I assumed he was replacing my DGM, except I got an email yesterday saying she was the new District Experience Manager but she didn’t say her area. She was also holding a few office hours to meet with people. I don’t really want to spend an 30-60 min each way driving to meet with someone who may or may not be my manager for a job I’m not sure when I’ll know I have or what the compensation will be. Just wondering if anyone else has had two people introduce themselves as the new DEM via email.

I'm hoping to have my EA completed by end of September. I have two seasons at H&R Block, but I've only done 1040's, I have no experience with 1041's, 1065, or 1120's. I will try and get a job for a CPA firm, but I think another season doing more complicated returns will put me in a better position. I'm torn once I get my EA if I should do one more season at H&R Block, or if I should go to Turbo Tax.

For H&R Block if I go back they will pay me back for the exam costs. Also I about doubled my returns from first season to the second. I had 140 or so last season, I would expect to get a lot more this season. I really like all my clients, they are so sweet. On the negative side I only made $17.00 an hour. The way they pay you incentive as a draw against your salary means they have a no reason not to schedule a zillion hours where you have nothing to do. The main way to beat them at that is to eventually build up enough of a book of business your schedule is totally full. They had in our tiny 5 cubicle office, 3 preparers work all day on Easter Sunday last year. Also I hate upselling identity protection/peace of mind. I make the offer, but I'm not enthusiastic about it.

For Turbo Tax I get the impression the pay is way better. That said I'm not sure I would like working strictly remote. I like going into the office, and getting to meet in person (although I have clients even at the Block who do everything as a drop off and I never see). I feel like I'm a better tax preparer when I get to meet with clients and do a though interview, it always amazes me of stuff they don't volunteer about their tax situation till you ask probing questions. I know they have in person location now, but I haven't been able to find anything online on how those positions work. If the pay is going to work out the same as the Block I would just assume stay with the devil I know.