EP 529: A Grapevine CPA On Real Tax Strategy And Staying Compliant

What makes Shalini Kodial with Shalini Kodial CPA, PLLC a good neighbor?

We talk with Shalini Kodial, founder of Shalini Kodial CPA, PLLC, about what business owners and individuals can do to stay compliant, make smarter financial decisions, and avoid the costly mistakes that often come from bad tax advice. Based in Grapevine, Texas near DFW Airport, Shalini serves clients across the country with tax preparation, accounting, bookkeeping, and proactive tax planning services. 

Shalini shares her journey from corporate accounting in the restaurant industry to launching her own CPA firm in 2023. What started with just two bookkeeping clients quickly grew into a thriving practice serving hundreds of business owners across a variety of industries. Her experience has given her a practical perspective on the challenges entrepreneurs face and the systems they need to build for long term financial success. 

We also discuss the importance of year round tax planning rather than treating taxes as a once a year event. Shalini explains how clean books, accurate records, and proactive planning help business owners make informed decisions, reduce stress, and identify opportunities to build wealth while staying compliant with tax regulations. 

One of the most valuable parts of the conversation focuses on common tax myths and misinformation. Shalini addresses the rise of social media tax advice and explains why many popular “tax hacks” can create significant audit risk. She breaks down the principle that business deductions must be ordinary and necessary and shares why professional guidance can help business owners avoid expensive mistakes. 

We also talk about the types of clients she serves most often, including restaurant owners, construction companies, real estate professionals, attorneys, doctors, nonprofits, and other small business owners looking for strategic financial guidance and reliable accounting support. 

If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or professional looking for a more confident and organized approach to taxes and financial planning, this conversation offers practical insights that can help you make better decisions year round.

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Guest Info: Shalini Kodial CPA, PLLC | https://skodialcpa.com | (682) 231-0856

Transcript

Welcome To The Good Neighbor Podcast

SPEAKER_00 0:00

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Sophia Yvette.

SPEAKER_02 0:10

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of a CPA? Well, one may be closer than you think. Today I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, Shalini Kodiel, founder of Shellini Kodiel CPA, PLLC. Shalini, it's lovely having you on today. Now we are so excited to learn more about you and your business.

What The Firm Does And Who

SPEAKER_02 0:32

So go ahead and tell our listeners just a little bit more about your company.

SPEAKER_01 0:37

Sure. So my firm is based out of Grapewine, Texas, which is nearby DFW Airport. And we are a team of CPAs and enroll agents and certified tax planners. We provide tax planning, tax preparation, accounting, advisory services for individuals, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Our goal is to help our clients make informed financial decisions, stay compliant, and build long-term wealth through planning, and which is a proactive planning rather than reactive tax filing. So we help very um strategically with our clients on compliance and planning.

SPEAKER_02 1:14

Wonderful. Now you said you're located in the grapevine area. So your clientele is it mainly just grapevine area or do you service the greater DFW area?

SPEAKER_01 1:24

I have clients from all over the United States. I have clients in Florida, California, Vagos, and yeah, in Texas as well.

SPEAKER_02 1:34

Wonderful. Well, we're gonna circle back on this um in a bit, but let's dive a little deeper into your

From Layoff To Serving 300 Owners

SPEAKER_02 1:41

story. So, how did you originally get started with this business?

SPEAKER_01 1:46

So I got started with this business back in 2023 with two bookkeeping clients, and now I'm serving close to 300 business owners in the DFW area. I was a director of corporate accounting for a restaurant industry. Uh, restaurant industry is so volatile. I got laid off, and that's when I decided that I want to use my business uh skills uh in my own entrepreneurialship journey. So I've always been passionate about helping people understand their finances and make confident decisions. And I've seen, like, you know, when I started my firm because I wanted to provide personalized guidance and build lasting relationships with my clients, that motivates me most. And and and more than that, it's seeing clients gain clarity, reduce trust, and achieve their financial goals.

SPEAKER_02 2:34

Wonderful, wonderful.

Social Media Tax Myths And Write-Offs

SPEAKER_02 2:36

Now, with over 300 clients today, you know, what is that number one misconception that you come across on the day-to-day in your industry?

SPEAKER_01 2:46

In reality, the the greatest value um comes from year-round planning. And the biggest misconception that um, you know, I hear about is the social media myth. Uh, there's a lot of misinformation about myths and um, you know, how people apply those codes. Like I was recently reading um, you know, a I was looking at a video on YouTube where somebody was saying you can write off your Rolex watch or luxury shoes. Well, as per IRS tax code, that's illegal. Uh, that's against ordinary and necessary business expenses, um, which is section 162A. So there's a lot of misconception um on social media, and and that's and that's where I step in and provide the right guidance to my clients.

SPEAKER_02 3:32

Wonderful, wonderful.

Ideal Clients And How Referrals Work

SPEAKER_02 3:33

Now, circling back here to who your clients are, we know marketing is the heart of every business. So, ideally, who is your ideal client and how are you attracting them?

SPEAKER_01 3:45

So, my ideal ideal clients are restaurant owners, construction, real estate um owners, and um and also attorneys and doctors. And I'll also help high network, high high network clients, individual clients with the tax strategies and and making sure that they understand the tax code and and help them with implementation, uh, which can prevent them from on audit. So, Shilini, how are you attracting these clients? Uh well, they are coming to me through word of mouth and referrals, to be honest. But I keep uh posting uh on LinkedIn, Facebook, and on my Instagram page.

SPEAKER_02 4:24

Wonderful,

Podcast Idea And Life Outside Work

SPEAKER_02 4:25

wonderful. Well, you have so much great information to share. Have you ever thought about having your own podcast for the business before?

SPEAKER_01 4:33

Yes, I I actually thought about having my own podcast, but uh I haven't given a very you know serious uh consideration of when I'm starting my own podcast, but that's second in the line that I really want to you know start my own podcast on accounting and tax and educate business owners on the compliances.

SPEAKER_02 4:55

I love that. I love that. And outside of work, when you're not helping your clients, what do you like to do for a little R?

SPEAKER_01 5:04

Well, I like spending time with my family and friends and traveling, um, exploring new restaurants and and doing some adventurous boats. I I enjoy bungee jumping in skydive, so I'm very adventurous because the the uh the rush of adrene that you get uh when you fall is amazing. Um so I'm very adventurous. I like the key challenges.

SPEAKER_02 5:30

Wonderful, wonderful. It sounds like you truly live life to the fullest.

Why Education And Ethics Matter

SPEAKER_02 5:35

Now, I'm curious, where does your heart for helping others in this industry come from? Was there something you experienced in life that kind of drove you into this direction of being in this specific industry?

SPEAKER_01 5:49

It has come through um through my experiences. Definitely when I talk to, you know, I normally talk to 10 clients a day and I hear the same story, the same mistakes over and over. Um, so I I relate to them and and my my heart, you know, always I lead by heart. So it always tells me that to do the right thing. I'm a big believer of karma. What you give out, give out comes back to you in in an uncertain ways. So education and awareness, because it's not your core competency to understand hacks and accounting, but getting the right information with with source documents is what you know sets you apart. So I I have a heart of um sharing my knowledge with with with people.

SPEAKER_02 6:36

I love that. Now, final question for you today.

Where To Find Shalini And Closing

SPEAKER_02 6:41

We truly have covered some very important information, but what all of our listeners need to know is where is the best place for them to go to learn more about Shilini Kodial CPA P L L C.

SPEAKER_01 6:56

Well, they can they can um follow my uh Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn page, and they can always um you know reach out to me directly through my website. It is www.scodialcpa.com, and and they can book a free consultation. Um and I would love to help them and and advise what should be the right approach uh pertaining to their finances and tax or accounting in general.

SPEAKER_02 7:22

Well, Shilini, I really appreciate you being on the show today. We wish you and your business the best moving forward. Thank you. Thank you, thank you so much.

SPEAKER_00 7:31

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gmpfrisco.com. That's gmpfrisco.com or call four six nine two two one nine three four five.