Teti & Carswell CPAs in Baltimore: Tax and Accounting for Small Business Owners

Teti & Carswell is a six-person certified public accounting firm based in Fells Point that focuses on tax preparation and bookkeeping for small business owners and self-employed individuals. The practice does not offer personal tax returns alone and does not handle consulting or audit work; it is built specifically for owners who need ongoing accounting support during the year, not filing-season-only assistance.

What Teti & Carswell actually does

Both partners hold the CPA credential and have worked in Baltimore accounting practices for over a decade. The firm does not accept new clients who need only annual tax returns without supporting bookkeeping or accounting services. This restriction is deliberate: the partners describe the relationship as engagement-based, meaning they expect to see business records throughout the year, not simply at filing time. Work includes monthly or quarterly bookkeeping, payroll support, tax planning conversations in advance of filing, and the tax return itself. The office occupies a small space on Thames Street, and all work can be conducted remotely.

Services and pricing

The firm bills by hourly rate for accounting and bookkeeping work. A typical small business or self-employed owner should expect an engagement retainer or monthly fee ranging from $400 to $1,500 depending on transaction volume and payroll complexity; the firm will conduct a preliminary conversation to estimate hours before commitment. Tax return preparation is billed separately and averages $1,200 to $2,500 for a sole proprietor or small S-corporation, depending on income sources and entity structure. These figures are standard in the Baltimore CPA market but represent the high end of do-it-yourself software alternatives like QuickBooks Self-Employed ($180 annually) and the low end of larger Baltimore firms that charge $2,500 or more for the same work plus strategy sessions.

Verification: confirm current retainer and return pricing with the firm; rates may adjust annually.

How it compares to other Baltimore accountants

Baltimore has two distinct categories of small-business accounting services. Teti & Carswell sits in the mid-market: more personalized than chains like Jackson Hewitt or H&R Block (which focus on individual returns), more accessible than boutique firms that require minimum annual engagements of $5,000 and serve growth-stage companies. For an owner with $200,000 to $1 million in annual revenue and a need for reliable month-to-month support, Teti & Carswell's hourly-rate model is more transparent than flat-fee retainers that may not cover unexpected bookkeeping revisions. By contrast, a sole proprietor filing a simple 1040-C should use a lower-cost return preparer; a venture-backed startup needing audit-ready financials should contact a larger regional firm like CohnReznick or Cherry Bekaert, both of which have Baltimore offices.

Who it suits and who it does not

The practice is designed for owners who have outgrown spreadsheet management and want a dedicated person in their corner during tax planning season. It works well for contractors, consultants, small retail or service businesses, and dentists or medical professionals with self-employment income. It suits owners who expect to ask questions about quarterly estimated taxes, deduction strategy, and entity selection (LLC vs. S-corp) without paying per-question consulting fees. It does not suit clients who need only a return filing, who are unwilling to keep organized records, or who require audit defense or forensic work. It also does not serve venture-backed or growth-equity-backed businesses, which require institutional-grade audit and financial reporting.

What the first visit involves

The initial consultation is a free phone or Zoom call lasting 30 to 45 minutes. The partners will ask about business structure, income sources, current record-keeping practices, and whether you have a payroll or employees. They will estimate the monthly bookkeeping effort and the likely tax return complexity, then provide a ballpark monthly retainer and per-return cost. If both parties agree to move forward, the onboarding involves providing 12 months of transaction records (bank statements, invoices, receipts) and access to accounting software like QuickBooks Online or Wave. The firm does not require signing a formal long-term contract; engagement is month-to-month after an initial three-month period.

Hours, location, and logistics

Teti & Carswell operates from an office at 1623 Thames Street in Fells Point. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parking on Thames Street is metered and managed by the city; a dedicated lot is not available. All communication and file transfer occur by email and secure portal; in-person meetings are available but not required. The partners encourage most clients to manage books and communication online.

Teti & Carswell fills the gap between DIY tax software and high-priced regional accounting firms, making it a practical choice for Baltimore business owners who want expertise without retainer minimums.