Good Neighbor Podcast: Orange County

Learn Why Proactive Accounting Beats Last-Minute Tax Prep And How A Responsive CPA Can Unlock Your Next Stage Of Growth

• Rachel Fyffe & Divya Gill

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Think taxes are just forms and deadlines? We sat down with second-generation CPA Divya Gill with Gill Tax Group to show how a proactive, year-round approach can turn accounting into a lever for growth, clarity, and calm. From choosing the right entity to building clean, decision-ready books, Divya lays out a practical path that helps small businesses, creators, and growing teams keep more of what they earn while staying fully compliant.

We explore the biggest myths—like the idea that higher income must mean a painful tax bill—and replace them with concrete tactics: quarterly planning, retirement contributions that double as tax strategy, and bookkeeping that actually supports cash flow and forecasting. Divya also shares why responsiveness matters more than ever; when your CPA answers the phone, you move faster, avoid penalties, and understand the why behind each move. That transparency builds financial literacy, which compounds into better hiring decisions, smarter purchases, and predictable tax outcomes.

You’ll also hear how Gill Tax Group reaches entrepreneurs where they are—on TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and community networks—to demystify deductions, estimated payments, and audit readiness. Beyond the tactics, we touch on the human side: resetting with travel and reading, making time for family, and building a business that supports a life you actually want. If you’re ready to trade the shoebox scramble for a calm, strategic plan that serves your goals, this conversation is your starting point.

Visit: https://www.gilltaxgroup.com/

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SPEAKER_01:

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

SPEAKER_02:

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Now, are you looking for accounting services? You want a partner that is about unlocking potential, maximizing growth, and empowering business owners to make smarter financial decisions with confidence. Well, you know, this resource is closer than you think. Today I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, neighbor, Divya Gill, with Gill Tax Group. Divya, how is it going?

SPEAKER_00:

It's going very well. Thank you for having me here. How's everything going with you?

SPEAKER_02:

Well, I'm doing great. And I gotta tell you, we are really excited to learn about your business. So tell us about your company.

SPEAKER_00:

Absolutely. So pleasure is all mine, and thank you for having me on the show. And I would love to share about Gill Tax Group. At Gill Tax Group, we specialize in taking the stress out of taxes for your business owner, for you as business owners. We are not just a CPA firm, we are a proactive partner focused on tax strategy, compliance, and long-term growth. Whether it's tax planning, bookkeeping, apparel, entity structuring, or solving complex IRS and state issues, our team brings the deep expertise and on-hands approach or hands-on approach. We help clients save money, stay compliant, and make smarter financial decisions with confidence for long-term and short-term business goals.

SPEAKER_02:

Wonderful, wonderful. Well, how did you get into this business?

SPEAKER_00:

Okay, it's a story. I can sum it up for you. I am a second generation CPA. Um, I started getting into business and the business world itself when I was young, as young as 15. And then I decided I wanted to pursue school of um general business accounting, went to University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, joined the corporate world, got my hours for the CPA um licensure, and it just naturally organically happened for me because I grew up in that world. And as a second generation CPA, it's my passion and my comfort zone as well. I love supporting businesses small and medium-sized, um, and I love seeing entrepreneurs grow. It's very gratifying, and um, that's what's keeps me going with my passion.

SPEAKER_02:

Wonderful. Well, what do you think are maybe some myths or misconceptions in your industry?

SPEAKER_00:

Um, there are a lot of misconceptions in a business. Um, starting with the very first step, tax is just preparation. And I always tell businesses don't just focus on gathering the shoebox at the end of your year with the tax season starting and stressing you out as it is. Give it enough proactive time and give to take a proactive approach in terms of organizing yourself through proper planning, bookkeeping, and tax strategy by partnering with the right CPA. People think if they're just given uh if they make a whole bunch of money, then owe a lot of taxes. But the that's the misconception. What we are here to tell people is that if you work with the right people in terms of partnering with the right CPA firm, you can indeed put more money away towards your own future retirement planning, your current needs, any major goals you might have. And when we do that for people, it's an eye-opener and those misconceptions kind of wither away. So that is our gratification there and our aha moment.

SPEAKER_02:

Wonderful. Well, now we know marketing is really the heart of every business. So how are you finding your clients?

SPEAKER_00:

Um, that's another great question. It's hard to um it's hard to find really good clients, but then much part harder part is to keep them too, right? So I see it as a two-pronged approach. Um, when it comes to marketing, I am big on networking. At the same time, I am also very big on social media. So we had started with, you know, the usual Yelp and Google, but then we started getting a lot of influencers as clients. And a lot of those influencers encouraged us and said, Why aren't you educating us, the younger generation, with um what the tools that are available out there? Because we can make the money, we just don't know how to strategize to properly align that with our future goals, right? So um we have now started going to all these social media websites like tip, TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook, you name it. We are also now trying to gain traction on YouTube because that's another facet that is very accessible. And then the other facet of marketing is also providing good service. So we are known and I to provide the red carpet service. We pride ourselves in that. That if you come to us, we are not the people who are not going to pick up the phone like your typical typical CPA. Someone will always pick up the phone. Where our policy is within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the busy season or what season you are in, we will get in touch with you. And it's all about communication. So for me, marketing is a very broad approach, it's about putting yourself out there, making yourself visible, understanding your audience, and constantly staying in touch with that audience.

SPEAKER_02:

Wonderful. Now, have you ever thought about doing your own podcast?

SPEAKER_00:

I have been approached with the idea, some stuff is in the works, and I'm sure you guys will find out soon.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay. Now, outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?

SPEAKER_00:

Um, I like to travel. I like to travel a lot. I enjoy long runs and walks and hikes. Um, there's a human in me. Yes, I like um a lot of reading. I like to put away the phones and I like to put away the media and everything, take a break, sit there by the ocean, literally, and read a book. That's my like best time of the day. And of course, then spend a lot of time with my 11-year-old daughter because they grow up so fast.

SPEAKER_02:

Yes, yes. Yeah. Well, Divya, please tell our listeners one thing they should remember about Guild Tax Group.

SPEAKER_00:

Absolutely. So I would like to say that at Guild Tax Group Group, what makes us different is our commitment to educating you about your business, about your taxes, and our transparency. We explain the why behind every move, why something is going up in terms of taxes, how you can save the money. We like to empower our clients to build stronger businesses and deliver your round support, not just during tax season. So if you're looking for a CPA that's responsive, forward thinking, truly invest in your success, Guild Tax Group will help you grow because your business is our business and your success is our success.

SPEAKER_02:

Wonderful. Well, how can our listeners learn more about Guild Tax Group?

SPEAKER_00:

Um, you can either go to our website, it's www.gilltaxgroup.com. You could also go to LinkedIn where we post a lot of materials. Um, and I can absolutely share that with you. Um, it's DiviA Gill. It's if you Google me there, it will show up there as a LinkedIn page. We are also on Facebook, Gill Tax Group. It's in Irvine, it's in San Diego, Los Angeles, Northern California, because we have offices both in Nevada and California. So we have five different offices. Um, you can call us if you have questions. We are very approachable. If you need um any hand holding, if you need to do strategy before the end of the year, um it's 866-445529. It's 866-GIL Tax. If you just want to punch that, you'll remember that instead of dotting all those numbers down.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, wonderful. Well, gosh, Divi, I really, you know, appreciate you being on the show, and I wish you and your business all the best and success in the future.

SPEAKER_00:

I appreciate that. And same for you. Thank you so much for having me on the show.

SPEAKER_02:

Wow, our pleasure.

SPEAKER_01:

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gmorrangecounty.com. That's gnporangecounty.com or call 714 941 8862.