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

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/

Enjoyed the show? Follow and share with a friend, and leave a quick review so more local owners can find practical, tax-smart guidance that helps them grow.

Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_01 (00:00):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, a place where
local businesses and neighborscome together.
Here's your host, Rachel Fly.

SPEAKER_02 (00:14):
Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Now, are you looking foraccounting services?
You want a partner that is aboutunlocking potential, maximizing
growth, and empowering businessowners to make smarter financial
decisions with confidence.
Well, you know, this resource iscloser than you think.
Today I have the pleasure ofintroducing your good neighbor,

(00:36):
neighbor, Divya Gill, with GillTax Group.
Divya, how is it going?

SPEAKER_00 (00:42):
It's going very well.
Thank you for having me here.
How's everything going with you?

SPEAKER_02 (00:47):
Well, I'm doing great.
And I gotta tell you, we arereally excited to learn about
your business.
So tell us about your company.

SPEAKER_00 (00:54):
Absolutely.
So pleasure is all mine, andthank you for having me on the
show.
And I would love to share aboutGill Tax Group.
At Gill Tax Group, we specializein taking the stress out of
taxes for your business owner,for you as business owners.
We are not just a CPA firm, weare a proactive partner focused
on tax strategy, compliance, andlong-term growth.
Whether it's tax planning,bookkeeping, apparel, entity

(01:18):
structuring, or solving complexIRS and state issues, our team
brings the deep expertise andon-hands approach or hands-on
approach.
We help clients save money, staycompliant, and make smarter
financial decisions withconfidence for long-term and
short-term business goals.

SPEAKER_02 (01:35):
Wonderful, wonderful.
Well, how did you get into thisbusiness?

SPEAKER_00 (01:40):
Okay, it's a story.
I can sum it up for you.
I am a second generation CPA.
Um, I started getting intobusiness and the business world
itself when I was young, asyoung as 15.
And then I decided I wanted topursue school of um general
business accounting, went toUniversity of Wisconsin,
Milwaukee, joined the corporateworld, got my hours for the CPA

(02:03):
um licensure, and it justnaturally organically happened
for me because I grew up in thatworld.
And as a second generation CPA,it's my passion and my comfort
zone as well.
I love supporting businessessmall and medium-sized, um, and
I love seeing entrepreneursgrow.
It's very gratifying, and um,that's what's keeps me going

(02:25):
with my passion.

SPEAKER_02 (02:26):
Wonderful.
Well, what do you think aremaybe some myths or
misconceptions in your industry?

SPEAKER_00 (02:31):
Um, there are a lot of misconceptions in a business.
Um, starting with the very firststep, tax is just preparation.
And I always tell businessesdon't just focus on gathering
the shoebox at the end of youryear with the tax season
starting and stressing you outas it is.
Give it enough proactive timeand give to take a proactive

(02:52):
approach in terms of organizingyourself through proper
planning, bookkeeping, and taxstrategy by partnering with the
right CPA.
People think if they're justgiven uh if they make a whole
bunch of money, then owe a lotof taxes.
But the that's themisconception.
What we are here to tell peopleis that if you work with the

(03:13):
right people in terms ofpartnering with the right CPA
firm, you can indeed put moremoney away towards your own
future retirement planning, yourcurrent needs, any major goals
you might have.
And when we do that for people,it's an eye-opener and those
misconceptions kind of witheraway.
So that is our gratificationthere and our aha moment.

SPEAKER_02 (03:35):
Wonderful.
Well, now we know marketing isreally the heart of every
business.
So how are you finding yourclients?

SPEAKER_00 (03:41):
Um, that's another great question.
It's hard to um it's hard tofind really good clients, but
then much part harder part is tokeep them too, right?
So I see it as a two-prongedapproach.
Um, when it comes to marketing,I am big on networking.
At the same time, I am also verybig on social media.

(04:01):
So we had started with, youknow, the usual Yelp and Google,
but then we started getting alot of influencers as clients.
And a lot of those influencersencouraged us and said, Why
aren't you educating us, theyounger generation, with um what
the tools that are available outthere?
Because we can make the money,we just don't know how to
strategize to properly alignthat with our future goals,

(04:24):
right?
So um we have now started goingto all these social media
websites like tip, TikTok,Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn,
Facebook, you name it.
We are also now trying to gaintraction on YouTube because
that's another facet that isvery accessible.
And then the other facet ofmarketing is also providing good

(04:45):
service.
So we are known and I to providethe red carpet service.
We pride ourselves in that.
That if you come to us, we arenot the people who are not going
to pick up the phone like yourtypical typical CPA.
Someone will always pick up thephone.
Where our policy is within 24 to48 hours, depending on the busy
season or what season you arein, we will get in touch with

(05:06):
you.
And it's all aboutcommunication.
So for me, marketing is a verybroad approach, it's about
putting yourself out there,making yourself visible,
understanding your audience, andconstantly staying in touch with
that audience.

SPEAKER_02 (05:19):
Wonderful.
Now, have you ever thought aboutdoing your own podcast?

SPEAKER_00 (05:23):
I have been approached with the idea, some
stuff is in the works, and I'msure you guys will find out
soon.

SPEAKER_02 (05:30):
Okay.
Now, outside of work, what doyou like to do for fun?

SPEAKER_00 (05:35):
Um, I like to travel.
I like to travel a lot.
I enjoy long runs and walks andhikes.
Um, there's a human in me.
Yes, I like um a lot of reading.
I like to put away the phonesand 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 theday.

(05:57):
And of course, then spend a lotof time with my 11-year-old
daughter because they grow up sofast.

SPEAKER_02 (06:03):
Yes, yes.
Yeah.
Well, Divya, please tell ourlisteners one thing they should
remember about Guild Tax Group.

SPEAKER_00 (06:10):
Absolutely.
So I would like to say that atGuild Tax Group Group, what
makes us different is ourcommitment to educating you
about your business, about yourtaxes, and our transparency.
We explain the why behind everymove, why something is going up
in terms of taxes, how you cansave the money.
We like to empower our clientsto build stronger businesses and

(06:33):
deliver your round support, notjust during tax season.
So if you're looking for a CPAthat's responsive, forward
thinking, truly invest in yoursuccess, Guild Tax Group will
help you grow because yourbusiness is our business and
your success is our success.

SPEAKER_02 (06:50):
Wonderful.
Well, how can our listenerslearn more about Guild Tax
Group?

SPEAKER_00 (06:54):
Um, you can either go to our website, it's
www.gilltaxgroup.com.
You could also go to LinkedInwhere we post a lot of
materials.
Um, and I can absolutely sharethat with you.
Um, it's DiviA Gill.
It's if you Google me there, itwill show up there as a LinkedIn
page.
We are also on Facebook, GillTax Group.

(07:15):
It's in Irvine, it's in SanDiego, Los Angeles, Northern
California, because we haveoffices both in Nevada and
California.
So we have five differentoffices.
Um, you can call us if you havequestions.
We are very approachable.
If you need um any hand holding,if you need to do strategy
before the end of the year, umit's 866-445529.

(07:39):
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 (07:46):
Well, wonderful.
Well, gosh, Divi, I really, youknow, appreciate you being on
the show, and I wish you andyour business all the best and
success in the future.

SPEAKER_00 (07:54):
I appreciate that.
And same for you.
Thank you so much for having meon the show.

SPEAKER_02 (07:59):
Wow, our pleasure.

SPEAKER_01 (08:01):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
Podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on the
show, go to gmorrangecounty.com.
That's gnporangecounty.com orcall 714 941 8862.