Judith M. Tiktin, CPA in Baltimore: Solo Tax and Small-Business Accounting
Judith M. Tiktin is a solo CPA practice in Baltimore serving individuals and small business owners with tax preparation, bookkeeping, and accounting strategy. She operates as an independent provider rather than part of a larger firm, which shapes engagement style, pricing flexibility, and the kind of client relationships the practice supports.
What Judith M. Tiktin, CPA actually is
Tiktin holds the CPA credential (Certified Public Accountant), regulated by Maryland's State Board of Accountancy. This license requires continuing education and adherence to professional standards. She works alone, not as part of a multi-person firm, meaning clients engage directly with her rather than being assigned to junior staff or shuffled between team members. This setup suits individuals who prefer continuity and business owners who want to speak to the same person across multiple tax seasons.
Services and pricing basis
Tiktin offers tax return preparation (personal and business), bookkeeping and general accounting, and tax planning consultation. Pricing is typically engagement-based rather than per-form: clients in this market usually pay a flat fee for annual tax return preparation or an hourly rate for bookkeeping and consultation work. Exact figures depend on complexity—a sole proprietor's return costs less than a multi-member LLC or S corporation—and prior year records. The practice does not publish a public rate card online; prospective clients should contact directly to discuss their situation and receive a fee estimate. This is standard for solo CPA practices in Baltimore.
How Tiktin compares to other Baltimore accountants
Solo CPAs like Tiktin differ from larger firms (such as regional or national tax services) and from enrolled agents (EAs) or non-credentialed preparers. A larger firm offers depth of staff and possibly industry-specific expertise; a solo practice offers relationship continuity and often lower overhead costs reflected in fees. An enrolled agent (also regulated by the federal IRS) can prepare tax returns and represent clients before the IRS but is not a CPA and may have narrower scope in accounting matters like financial statement preparation or business entity structure advice. For clients in Baltimore seeking a straightforward tax relationship without the overhead of a large firm, Tiktin's model is cost-effective. For a business needing multi-disciplinary support or an entity with complex state compliance issues, a larger Baltimore firm like a Big Four regional office may be necessary, though at higher cost.
Who this practice suits and who it does not suit
Tiktin is well suited to Baltimore-based sole proprietors, freelancers, and small LLC or S corporation owners who file straightforward returns annually and want consistent personalized attention. Clients with stable income, regular expenses, and no major year-to-year structure changes integrate cleanly into a solo practice. She also suits individuals seeking tax-planning guidance tied to life changes (marriage, home sale, retirement planning) who benefit from talking to the same person over time.
The practice is not the right fit for startups requiring rapid-turnaround bookkeeping support with on-site staff, multi-state businesses needing coordinated state tax compliance, or clients needing full-service CFO capabilities. If a client's accounting needs have grown beyond the scope of solo practice capacity, transition to a larger firm is usually recommended.
What the first engagement involves
An initial consultation typically covers the client's income sources, entity type (if business), prior tax filings, and accounting records. Tiktin will request tax returns from the prior year and a summary of income and expenses for the current period. If no bookkeeping has been done, she may recommend a preliminary bookkeeping engagement to organize records before filing season. The scope and fee for the year ahead are clarified after this conversation. Payment terms vary but often include a deposit upon engagement and balance due before the return is filed or delivered.
Hours, location, and logistics
Contact Tiktin directly to confirm current office hours and location within Baltimore. Solo practitioners sometimes operate by appointment rather than walk-in, so scheduling in advance is expected. Verify address and phone number before visiting; solo practices occasionally relocate or change contact details without notice to local directories.
Judith M. Tiktin brings continuity and accessible pricing to Baltimore's small-business and individual tax market. For a client who values speaking to the same CPA each year and prefers solo-practice rates, she fills a practical middle ground between DIY filing and corporate-firm overhead.
