By Steve Gamel
As tax season approaches each spring, families and business owners often discover the same reality: most CPAs merely file returns rather than providing proactive, year-round guidance. The critical question, “What more could I have done to reduce my tax burden?” is typically asked when it’s already too late. According to CPA John Harman, CEO of Harman CPAs & Associates, and investment advisor Daniel Rogowski, MBA, CEO of Harman Rogowski & Associates, discussions about tax shouldn’t happen only between January and April. It should be an ongoing, forward-looking process that anticipates opportunities and changes well before deadlines loom.
Mr. Harman and Mr. Rogowski are proving that synergy between a CPA firm and a financial advisory practice can dramatically improve outcomes for clients. Sharing office space in McKinney and jointly coordinating services and recommendations around client needs, they offer an integrated model that focuses on proactive strategies integrating tax and investment expertise.
“Too many people assume they have no choice: a CPA who files returns but doesn’t advise, and a financial advisor who invests money but doesn’t understand tax code,” Mr. Harman said. “When these functions operate in silos, you’re leaving valuable tax benefits on the table.”
Mr. Harman, who has served Allen, Anna, Celina, Fairview, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Prosper, and the surrounding Collin County communities for years, has built his name on delivering meticulous and personalized tax services to individuals and businesses. Still, he wanted to do more.
“Tax filings are historical records of what already happened,” he notes. “My real passion is helping clients plan proactively — structuring a business, optimizing a retirement plan, or choosing the right strategies so that by the time tax season comes around, everyone is prepared. That’s the distinction we aim to provide.”
Mr. Rogowski shares that sense of purpose. The Harvard, Rice, and Berkeley educated investment advisor decided that typical financial planning fell short when it ignored the tax implications of each recommendation.
“It’s time to break down the silos that have kept people’s finances fragmented. We’re proving that good advice doesn’t have to come from four different offices. Our firms have separate legal structures but a unified mission — helping clients thrive year-round with proactive tax planning and strategic wealth management.”
Historically, only the wealthiest families had access to this style of integrated service, often through family offices that bring CPAs, financial advisors, and attorneys under one roof. Those setups typically require upwards of $30 million in investable assets — excluding a vast segment of people who could benefit from the same synergy. Mr. Harman and Mr. Rogowski envision a more inclusive approach that broadens access to year-round strategic tax and financial planning.
They point out that the key is communication. Instead of waiting for forms and spreadsheets, they meet with clients regularly, discussing changes in income streams, upcoming business changes, potential real estate transactions, or shifts in investment portfolios.
Every aspect — whether it’s an IRS update on tax brackets, new legislation affecting pass-through entities, or a client’s changing risk tolerance — feeds into a plan that is both comprehensive and current. This frequent interaction is particularly beneficial for business owners facing decisions on entity structures, deductions, and long-term growth.
“When someone is trying to retroactively ‘fix’ their taxes in March or April,” Mr. Harman explains, “the most effective opportunities have already passed. A genuine tax strategy starts the day after you file last year’s return. That’s when you assess what worked, what didn’t, and how this year might look different. If you had to guess, which is more beneficial: waiting until the eleventh hour or adjusting your approach all year long? Proactive always wins.”
Another strong motivator for this collaboration is safeguarding clients from conflicting or incomplete advice. Mr. Rogowski has often encountered scenarios where a client’s wealth manager recommends an investment strategy that seems profitable on paper but may trigger hefty tax obligations. Meanwhile, the CPA could have suggested a different approach with tax efficiencies — if only the two had spoken earlier.
By teaming up under one roof, Mr. Harman and Mr. Rogowski aim to eliminate this disconnect.
“During tax season, we’re reminded of how vital these conversations are,” Mr. Rogowski said. “People show up with a shoebox of receipts or a pile of statements, hoping they did everything right over the past year. But what if you knew, in June, August, or October, that you could restructure your business, accelerate or defer certain expenses, or adjust your investment positions to create a more favorable tax outcome? That’s exactly what we mean by proactive tax planning.”
Looking ahead, the two firms plan to expand their integrated model to encompass estate and legacy planning as well — another layer of financial life in which tax considerations play a crucial role. They hope to partner with specialized attorneys who can join the conversation
directly, ensuring that wills, trusts, and succession plans are coordinated with the rest of a client’s
financial blueprint.
“It’s all about making truly holistic advice more accessible,” Mr. Harman said. “Our clients want peace of mind. They want to know they aren’t missing out on strategies that could save them thousands — or even millions — over time just because their CPA and financial advisor never talked to each other. We believe that collaboration should be the norm, not the exception.”
He continues, “If you wait until April 15, there’s not much anyone can do. Real change happens from April 16 onward, when we partner with you to craft strategies that look at all parts of your financial life and develop meaningful tax advantages.”
For Collin County families and business owners who crave a more integrated approach, Mr. Harman CPAs & Associates and Harman Rogowski & Associates provide a glimpse of the future of tax planning and wealth management. Their message is simple as this tax season unfolds: Don’t just file and forget. Start planning now and make next year’s tax season a lot less stressful — and potentially much more rewarding.
CONTACT
1402 South Custer Road, Suite 102
McKinney, Texas 75072
(469) 742-0283
HarmanRogowski.com
McKinneyTax.com
“Tax filings are historical records of what already happened, My real passion is helping clients plan proactively — structuring a business, optimizing a retirement plan, or choosing the right strategies so that by the time tax season comes around, everyone is prepared. That’s the distinction we aim to provide.”
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