911 IT

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Tax Strategist, Enrolled Agent (EA), Certified Tax Coach (CTC) of Utah Real Estate Accountants

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are an accounting firm that specializes in tax strategy for real estate investors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire 911 IT to accomplish?

• Be compliant with US Treasury and IRS security measures such as WISP
• Assist with installing Wi-Fi and maintain our ongoing connectivity
• Advise us on software and hardware

SOLUTION

How did you find 911 IT?

Persistent 'lumpy' mailings

Why did you select 911 IT over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from 911 IT were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Upgrade Wi-Fi, speed, connectivity, and security when we got Google Fiber installed.

Recommended and installed upgraded internal components in various computers.
Provided immediate support when we had any issues with software, hardware, and app integrations.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Lightning fast Wi-Fi with their install equipment.

Answer phone calls live, 85% of the time. Rarely leave a message. Persistent when returning our messages. 
Nearly always, 911IT jumps on a call or sends a tech, who stays with us until the issue is resolved.

The fact that issues are consistently (95% of issues) resolved by a knowledgeable and competent tech.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

• We submit a request by email or phone call
• We are routed to the expert in the presenting issue
• 95% of issues are handled remotely
• Janet is licensed by the US Treasury Department. They are intolerant of errors and omissions. Their solution is to SANCTION the licensee
• We are in one of 911ITs limited number of target markets, so they know our industry and the gravity of keeping financial information protected
• They are familiar with the apps we use in the tax and accounting industry
• They treat our urgent request with urgency

What was your primary form of communication with 911 IT?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The head Tax Strategist of our tax and accounting services is Janet Behm, EA, CTC. She operates at a high level. Where the “air-is-thin.”

Many of the strategies she helps clients implement for long-term tax savings are unfamiliar to most tax preparers.

With the advent of tax software that evaluates data and recommends tax-saving suggestions, those tax preparers are ‘calling themselves tax strategists.’

Janet, with her client, has them consider, “What future am I trying to create, and what tax control, liquidity, and legacy consequences should I understand before I decide?”

All of that said…911IT operates at a comparable level of guidance and service. The, “air-is-thin,” where they operate. They guide us in considering data risk, consequences, possible outcomes, and recommended solutions. 

THEY KNOW THE QUESTIONS TO ASK! THE HARD QUESTIONS… 

Are there any areas for improvement or something 911 IT could have done differently?

I don't care what business, group, or relationship you are in...
COMMUNICATION IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST AND MOST CONSISTENT CHALLENGE.  
Sometimes tax-speak and geek-speak just don't align. 
We each have our outcomes in mind...we find a way to understand one another. 

Both sides are dedicated to finding a solution that meets the immediate needs and considers the long-term consequences. Persistence pays off!