Lucas Barkanic & Ames Lucas Green & Korom in Baltimore: Full-Service CPA Firm for Small Business and Individual Tax

Lucas Barkanic & Ames Lucas Green & Korom is a CPA partnership based in Baltimore that handles individual and small-business accounting, tax planning, and financial statement preparation for clients across Maryland and beyond. The firm operates as a traditional engagement-based practice rather than a tax-return-only operation, meaning clients typically work with the same CPAs year-round on strategy, not just at filing time.

What the firm does

The practice splits work into three main tracks: individual tax preparation and planning, business accounting and tax services for small to mid-sized companies, and bookkeeping support for owners who need weekly or monthly reconciliation but lack in-house accounting staff. CPAs at the firm hold Maryland state licensure and work within the bounds of CPA-only services, meaning they cannot draft legal documents or provide investment advice, but can prepare financial statements, advise on tax strategy, and represent clients before the IRS for audit matters. The firm does not appear to offer payroll processing or HR compliance work, making it a better fit for companies that handle payroll in-house or through a separate vendor.

Engagement basis and fee structure

The firm typically works on retainer or hourly billing rather than flat-fee returns. Retainer clients pay a fixed monthly or quarterly fee and receive ongoing access to a dedicated CPA for questions, planning, and compliance. Hourly rates for mid-market CPA firms in the Baltimore area generally range from $200 to $400 per hour depending on the CPA's seniority and task complexity, though you should confirm current rates directly. Retainer fees for small-business clients usually span $500 to $2,000 monthly, scaled to the size and complexity of the business, but this varies by firm and engagement scope. Individual tax clients often pay a flat fee per return ($500 to $1,500 depending on complexity) or engage on retainer if they need quarterly planning or multi-state filings.

How it compares to other Baltimore CPAs

Baltimore has several competing full-service CPA firms at similar scale. Cohen & Grigsby and other larger regional firms tend to focus on mid-market and enterprise clients and may treat small-business owners as secondary clients. Smaller solo practitioners offer lower hourly rates (often $150 to $250 per hour) but may lack the bench strength for complex audit work or multi-entity planning. Lucas Barkanic & Ames Lucas Green & Korom sits in the middle: larger than a solo practice, so it can handle more intricate tax situations and provide continuity if your main contact is unavailable, but smaller than a Big 4 or large regional firm, so the partners are more likely to know your business personally and you are less likely to be shifted between junior staff year to year. Choose a larger firm if your company has multiple entities, employee stock options, or needs audit services; choose a solo practitioner if your only need is a straightforward 1040 or small-LLC return and you want to minimize cost; choose a mid-sized firm like this one if you want continuity, partner-level attention, and moderate complexity in your tax situation.

Who this firm suits and who it does not

This practice works well for small-business owners in Maryland who have annual revenue under $5 million and relatively stable operations, as well as high-income professionals (physicians, lawyers, business owners) who benefit from proactive year-round tax planning. Clients who want a single point of contact and prefer to avoid being shuffled between staff members will find the partnership model helpful. Clients who need audit services, SEC compliance, or international tax planning should look elsewhere, as the firm does not appear to offer those specialties. Solo entrepreneurs with simple returns and a tight budget may find hourly or retainer billing too costly compared to a tax-only shop or DIY software; in that case, look to smaller practices or online return preparation.

First-visit process

Initial consultations are typically by phone or in-office and cover the client's financial situation, business structure, current tax pain points, and what planning the client hopes to accomplish. The CPA will explain what services make sense and at what fee level. Engagement letters spell out the scope of work and billing terms. For business clients, you will likely need to provide prior-year tax returns, recent income statements and balance sheets, and a general sense of upcoming changes (new equipment, hiring, expansion). For individual clients, W-2s, 1099s, and a list of deductions to be claimed. The firm does not handle investment advisory, so clients who need portfolio guidance should plan to work with a separate financial advisor.

Hours and practical logistics

The firm operates during standard business hours; confirm current hours directly with the office. Parking in Baltimore's downtown and Harbor East areas is generally metered or lot-based, so plan accordingly if you are meeting in person.

A mid-sized Baltimore CPA firm that prioritizes continuity and partner involvement over high-volume return processing will appeal to business owners and professionals who see tax planning as part of overall financial strategy, not a once-a-year chore.