Frequently Asked Questions
You might have some questions about Alchemy of Money. Here are answers to the ones we hear most often.
Most CPAs are generalists working across many industries, so real estate-specific deductions and strategies can get missed. They also typically only prepare your tax forms for filing, rather than help you apply tax strategy throughout the year. We work exclusively with real estate agents and teams, which means we see the same tax situations, expense patterns, and structuring questions repeatedly and know exactly where the savings usually are.
Yes. We support real estate agents and teams in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Our services are built for the realities of commission-based income and real estate-specific tax rules, not tied to a single local market.
Many clients see cleaner books or identified tax savings within the first 90 days. The exact timeline depends on how organized your current records are and whether we're doing cleanup work first, but most agents notice a difference well before their next tax season.
No. We provide year-round bookkeeping, tax planning, payroll management, and fractional CFO-level advisory, not just an annual tax return. Tax prep alone only reports what already happened; we work with clients throughout the year so there are fewer surprises and more opportunities to actually reduce what's owed.
We specialize exclusively in real estate agents and teams rather than serving a broad mix of industries. That focus means we already understand commission structures, agent-specific deductions, and entity decisions common to the field, so clients get advice built around how real estate income actually works, not generic small-business guidance.
Many agents miss deductions because they're tracked by a generalist CPA unfamiliar with real estate-specific rules. Our tax specialists can strategically structure your business to utilize write-offs that a general preparer overlooks. Real estate agents can typically deduct mileage, home office expenses, MLS and association dues, marketing costs, continuing education, and a portion of their phone and internet just to name a few. (There are 107 deductions we’ve identified this year alone that we are implementing whenever applicable to our members’ tax plans.)
Ideally at the start of the tax year, not in March. Tax filing reports what already happened; tax planning shapes what happens next, like timing income, structuring entities, and maximizing deductions long before December 31. Agents who wait until filing season have already missed most opportunities to actually reduce what they owe.
Savings vary by income and current setup, but agents switching from a generalist CPA to an Alchemy Tax Strategist commonly find missed deductions and structuring opportunities that save them (conservatively) $15,000 per year or more. The bigger gain is usually proactive planning, like entity structure and retirement contributions, rather than any single deduction.
Pricing typically depends on transaction volume and whether you need bookkeeping alone or bookkeeping plus tax and advisory services bundled together. Book a strategy call with us to find out what services would benefit you the most, and how much they cost. Since Alchemy can bundle bookkeeping, tax planning, and CFO support, it usually costs less than paying for these services separately.
Yes. Mixing personal and business funds makes your books harder to maintain, muddies your deductions, and can weaken your liability protection if you're an LLC or S-corp. A dedicated business account is one of the simplest changes an agent can make, and it's usually the first thing we set up with new clients.
Bookkeeping records what already happened: income, expenses, and reconciled accounts. CFO services look forward, using those numbers to guide decisions like when to hire, how much to save for taxes, and whether your commission splits and expenses support your goals. Agents usually need bookkeeping first and add CFO support as their business grows.
Monthly, at minimum. Real estate income is irregular, with commission checks landing unevenly throughout the year, so books that are only updated at tax time make it hard to plan cash flow or catch errors early. Monthly reconciliation also makes quarterly estimated tax payments far more accurate. Our bookkeepers are reviewing and working in your accounts every week to ensure your dashboard is always as accurate as possible, giving you the data you need to make strategic decisions.
Yes. Commission-based income makes budgeting harder than a salaried job, since months can swing widely. We help agents build a budget around average monthly income rather than any single closing, set aside for taxes automatically, and plan for slow seasons before they happen.
"Alchemy of Money literally made me an extra $100K last year. This is by far the best investment I’ve ever made. My business and my bank account have grown more than I ever thought was possible."
MARGARET BABBINGTON
Founding Agent & Senior VP, Compass
"Alchemy of Money has helped transform my business and my focus on money, and for that I am grateful."
SVEN ANDERSEN
President & CEO, Andersen Group Realty
"I am currently working at building better habits around my finances including tracking them! Getting started with Alchemy seemed daunting at first and it was an action I knew would be of huge benefit for my future. Professionally, personally, and financially."
RICH GIBBENS
US Army Veteran, Realtor with Keller Williams
"Alchemy of Money literally made me an extra $100K last year. This is by far the best investment I’ve ever made. My business and my bank account have grown more than I ever thought was possible."
MARGARET BABBINGTON
Founding Agent & Senior VP, Compass
"Alchemy of Money has helped transform my business and my focus on money, and for that I am grateful."
SVEN ANDERSEN
President & CEO, Andersen Group Realty
"I am currently working at building better habits around my finances including tracking them! Getting started with Alchemy seemed daunting at first and it was an action I knew would be of huge benefit for my future. Professionally, personally, and financially."