Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua And Brianna Pruiett.
Hi Joshua and Brianna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It’s sort of a crazy story actually. I (Josh) had been medically retired from the Army in 2015. My wife and I decided to move back home to Anderson so that we could be near family. My previous job experience included working in kitchens, merchandising, and working on helicopters. I found a job in a factory and was laid off right after Thanksgiving not 3 months later. My wife had gotten a job as a receptionist at a local tax office that was family owned and had been in the business for over 60 years. Unfortunately, one of their tax preparers suffered some medical issues and they could no longer work and with it being a few weeks before the rush started, the owner was scrambling. He asked if my wife knew anyone who had any experience and she told him that I did. He called me in for an interview and hired me on the spot. I had VERY limited experience at the time. He was so kind and patient as I learned the basics. I was ready to use my GI bill and decided I had a passion for this industry. So I finished up my Bachelor’s and started my Master’s in Accounting with a specialization in Taxation from Liberty University. The office I was working at was sold and all employees including my wife who was 3 weeks postpartum were let go. We had a 4 year old and a 3 week old and no jobs. I bounced around a few accounting office jobs for awhile while finishing my degree. Then Covid hit. As an essential worker, I still had to go to work everyday. In October of 2020, a dear friend of ours who owned a tax office in town, asked us over for dinner to talk. She had been in the industry for over 40 years, and with no family interested in taking over the business, she wanted to know if we were interested in purchasing her business. With banks not giving out loans and us not being in a financial situation to by a commercial building and book of clients, we needed time to think. Who buys a business in the middle of a worldwide pandemic? Well… we do. We signed the contract and took over in 2021. My wife is so excellent at organization and streamlining that we got the whole place ready in about 2 weeks. We took a 2 person operation with about 900 clients to a 5 person operation and 1,800 clients in 5 years. We’ve been a finalist for Best of Your Hometown for a few years now and have glowing reviews online. It was a blessing in disguise to be let go 7 years ago. We would’ve more than likely stayed and worked there a long time. Instead, we now get to keep the legacy alive for the people who gave us a chance 10 years ago. We are so grateful to them as they showed us what it’s like working as a family and our clients feel that. I honestly think that’s what has them coming back year after year.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest struggles anyone in our industry faces is the ability to file your taxes online yourself. We have many that leave to do their own and we don’t discourage them from that. We know people are always looking for a way to save money, especially in today’s economic climate. We let them know that if they’re struggling, they are always welcome to come back with no judgement and we’ll be happy to help them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Electric City Tax and Bookkeeping?
We offer tax preparation, payroll, bookkeeping, tax advice, notary. We specialize in a few things! Some are knowledgeable in real estate and hair salons. While myself, I have a wide knowledge base of Marketplace Heath insurance and the trucking industry. We are a different kind of tax office. When you walk in, you’re greeted by our amazing receptionist and the offer of water or coffee. We have a kid area with toys, books and a coloring station. Everyone has to file taxes and sometimes you have to bring your kids. It shouldn’t be this dark, unpleasant place with cubicles. Who wants to go to a place like that? We offer a client portal that you can upload your documents, sign your return and pay, all online. This is great for our international clients or even those who are unable to make it due to disabilities. You do have the option to drop off your paperwork, but a lot of our clients enjoy the face to face option we provide. You get an hour appointment to sit, ask questions, or just have a conversation all while your taxes get prepared. We say, “You are not a number to us. We don’t work for the IRS. We work for you.”
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Inclusion. Plain and simple. EVERYONE has to file taxes. No matter gender, race, nationality, orientation, status, etc. People are welcome here. We don’t exclude or judge. Many firms in our area have turned people away based on the jobs they hold, the people they love, or what they look like. Not here, not ever. You are welcome and will be offered a drink while you wait for your appointment.
Pricing:
- We don’t have set prices like our competitors.
- We base the return on the complexity.
- Average personal returns run from $100 to $120
- Business returns run around the $250 mark
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ecitytax.com
- Facebook: @electriccitytax
