Your Local CPA with Mitesh Patel of Patel CPA

Most people think hiring a CPA means red tape, big bills, and talking to a receptionist instead of the person doing the work. We wanted to test that assumption, so we brought on Mishta Patel of Patel CPA, a certified public accountant based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, who builds his practice around direct access and clear explanations. His goal is not just to report the numbers, but to explain the why behind the numbers so owners and individuals can make decisions with confidence.

We dig into what a modern local accounting firm can actually handle: bookkeeping, tax services, and support for businesses structured as LLCs, plus advisory work that turns financial statements into practical next steps. Mishta also shares how he supports small nonprofits with assurance services like audits, reviews, and compilations, and how he helps with business formation basics such as obtaining an EIN. If you’ve searched for “CPA in Scranton PA” or “accountant near me,” this conversation lays out what to look for in service, responsiveness, and real guidance.

We also talk mindset and misconceptions: the pressure of the four-part CPA exam, what it took for Mishta to pass, and why an IRS letter should not automatically trigger panic. A strong CPA can be your bridge, helping you respond correctly and stay compliant without the stress spiral. If you value personal attention, reasonable pricing, and a professional who communicates in plain language, you’ll take away a clear picture of how accounting support should feel.

Subscribe for more local business conversations, share this with a friend who’s worried about taxes or bookkeeping, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.

Transcript

Welcome To Good Neighbor Podcast

SPEAKER_01 0:00

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

SPEAKER_02 0:12

What's up, everybody? Welcome back to the Good Neighbor Podcast Live. Are you in need of a CPA or an accountant or some bookkeeping? Well, one might be closer than you think. And today I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, Mishta Patel. Did I pronounce that right this time? Mishta. Yes, Mishta Patel from Patel CPA. Thank you so much for being here with us today. How are you doing?

SPEAKER_00 0:38

Thank you. Thank you for having me here. And uh I'm doing good so far. Yes.

Services For People And Businesses

SPEAKER_02 0:41

Yeah, great day today. The sun is shining here, at least. It it feels like it might almost be spring today. Um, I'm wondering, can you tell us a little bit about your business?

SPEAKER_00 0:52

So I'm a certified public accountant local here in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Uh, I have been living here since 20 years, so this is like my hometown now. And uh we do provide accounting and bookkeeping services. We do TechSystem services that include the individual as well as businesses that have different types of LLCs. Uh, we also do advisory and consultancy services. I provide assurance services also, those who are small nonprofits who are looking for audits or reviews or any compilations. I do provide audit services also. We help the small businesses with uh the financial preparations, uh strategic insights, uh the business formations and help with EIN number. I also help uh uh the foreigners with the IT numbers, you know, if they are looking to work here in the United States. Uh so basically, I am the number guy, and uh that's why uh I explain the why behind the numbers, not just the numbers, not just tell you the numbers. I explain the reason behind the numbers.

SPEAKER_02 1:51

That's what that is something everybody needs, actually. Understanding the reason behind those numbers. I'm curious, how did you get into the world of numbers, if you will?

SPEAKER_00 2:03

Sure. So uh I came from India uh when I was like uh almost 18 years, 18 years of age. Uh, I did my associates locally here from uh Johnson College. I did it in information technology, and then uh I went to Keystone College in Factorywell. Uh I did my uh bachelor's there in business and finance. Now, since we have to do finance, uh there is a basic course of accounting 101. So I I had to take that classes, and the professor was so good that you don't even need a book because when he explains you the basics accounting, it stays right in your head, right in your brain. So there was no textbook for us. And uh that really developed me to go behind the numbers, you know. You can explain the reason reasoning behind the numbers, and then uh I did my master's locally here from the University of Scranton. So I did my master's in accounting, and uh, while I was doing the master's in accounting from the University of Scranton, I got a scholarship to do a certified management accountant, which is CMA. So I'm like, okay, it's a scholarship, it's free, why not do it? And I did I did my CMA. So first I became a CMA, which is a certified management accountant, but then the state of Pennsylvania approached me. They gave me a scholarship, they said, okay, since you are doing good, how about we give you the scholarship to do the certified public accountant, which is a CPA? So I said, it's a free thing, you know, why not take it? So, yes, uh, I didn't spend any money to do a CPA because of the scholarship, and uh I became a CPA. But uh, once I became the CPA, it's it's a similar process, like a doctor, lawyers. You know, once you once you get that credential, you have to be under another CPA for certain period of time to get that experience. So uh for one year I went to New Jersey and uh I got my experience from there in a big accounting firm. Once I got my experience, I came back, I submit to the state of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth gave me license to practice, and now it's been almost like this is my third year. I have been practicing on my own, so I'm here local now in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

SPEAKER_02 4:08

That's that's wonderful. That's wonderful. Have you um always been um a fan of numbers? We'll say, or was this something that really came from that professor? Because it sounds like that professor really had a big impact.

SPEAKER_00 4:22

Yes, that's that professor has a really big impact, and he actually lives here in Clark Summit only.

The CPA Exam Myth

SPEAKER_02 4:27

Oh, that's awesome! That's awesome. So I'm wondering, can you share some of the myths and misconceptions that come along with your industry?

SPEAKER_00 4:35

So the biggest myth when I when I started, uh, everybody's saying, Oh, CPA is a tough exam, you know, because it has four parts, and uh you have to pass all the exams within certain time frame or a certain period. If you don't do it, you lose whatever you have already passed. So that was something a myth, or you know, a misconception or like a pressure on you. And uh that was something going on in my mind. I'm like, what to do? How can I how can I get it? You know, I got the free opportunity, I don't want to let it lose, but I did my hard work and it pays off. I passed all the four exams on the very first attempt. I didn't have to attempt the second time.

Word Of Mouth Marketing

SPEAKER_02 5:12

That's awesome. That's awesome. So we all know that marketing is at the heart of all of the businesses out here. Um, how are you um attracting and targeting your clients and your your your market?

SPEAKER_00 5:28

See, the basic strategy here is to provide good client services, and uh that is my motto because uh I deal with the client on a personal level, I give them my personal attention, so that creates a good mouth of word. And uh the second thing is uh when people are happy, they give good reviews about you. And you can you can go on the Google. I have I maybe the second or third CPA in the local that has really good reviews, so you can see those things definitely help marketing. And yeah, as I said, the word of mouth is a very good thing, you know. If you like somebody, definitely you're gonna recommend 10 of your friends.

IRS Fear And Real Support

SPEAKER_02 6:05

Yes, exactly, exactly. Um, have you ever thought about talking about accounting and having a podcast and sharing your knowledge with the world?

SPEAKER_00 6:13

No, thank you, but uh thank you because uh you gave me this opportunity so I can at least speak, you know, and I people can know about it. It's it's like people scared always, oh IRS send you the letter, IRS this no, IRS is there to help you. It's they're not gonna harass you, or they're not gonna do anything wrong with you, you know. And if you are still afraid of something, that's why we are here. We are your uh next step to communicate between them as a license. We are here to help you.

Video Games And Unwinding

SPEAKER_02 6:41

That's wonderful. So, outside of work and numbers, what are you doing for fun?

SPEAKER_00 6:46

So, I as a normal guy, we are all guys. I play video games, I love to play video games, uh uh and I watch TVs, I watch movies. So, those are the basically my fun things, I will say.

Direct Access And Contact Details

SPEAKER_02 7:00

I think it's so interesting that um anymore, people are just like, Yep, they're playing the video games, they do their work and then they go and they enjoy their video games. And we all need a way to unwind and and decompress with with um the life that that we're living. Um, so if you can, could you tell our listeners one thing that they should remember about you and your business?

SPEAKER_00 7:25

So the one thing that I will ask the viewers to know is that you know you have a CPA locally, you know, who provides personal level attention. So there is there is no there is no secretary, there is no reception. People can directly call me, text me, they can share their issues with me, I can help with them. And on top of that, I my prices are very reasonable. It's not like I'm here to reap off somebody. If I see there are things that don't even need that much time, I do it for free. I give many people free advices also.

SPEAKER_02 7:59

It sounds like you have some great customer service skills with you as well to back up all of the numbers. Can you tell of our all of our listeners where they can learn more about you, where they can find you?

SPEAKER_00 8:10

Yes, my phone number is 570-290-6202. They can definitely call me anytime, they can text me. I can try to get back to them as soon as possible. If they need more information, they can uh definitely go to my website. It's www.patelcpa.org. They can even email me. It's info at patelcpa.org. And again, I repeat my phone number 570-290-6202. That's the best way. You can call me, text me. You know, that is the personal level of attention I give to my clients. No reception, no secretary, no wait calls, nothing. Live straight directly.

SPEAKER_02 8:50

Direct line, direct access. Well, thank you so much. I really appreciate your time. And from everyone at the Good Neighbor Podcast, we wish you all the success as you move forward with your CPA and accounting endeavors.

SPEAKER_00 9:04

Thank you, appreciate that, and thank you for having me here.

SPEAKER_01 9:08

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to GMPmpa.com. That's gmpmpa.com.