Tax Relief Blog
Mike Habib, EA
Nationally Recognized Tax Professional Serving Los Angeles, Nationwide, and International U.S. Expats
Executive Background
Mike Habib, EA brings a rare combination of corporate finance leadership and specialized tax expertise to every client engagement. Before establishing his own practice, Mike served as Controller at Xerox Corporation and Director of Finance at AEG, where he managed complex financial operations at the highest levels of Fortune 500 organizations.
This executive-level background provides Mike with an understanding of financial strategy, regulatory compliance, and business operations that few tax professionals possess. His clients benefit from insights shaped by years of managing multimillion-dollar budgets, navigating corporate audits, and implementing financial controls for industry-leading companies.
The Direct Access Advantage
One of the most significant advantages of working with Mike Habib, EA is that clients work directly with him—not with junior associates or rotating staff members. At larger accounting firms, clients often find their complex tax matters delegated to less experienced personnel, with senior partners only reviewing work at a surface level. With Mike, every aspect of your tax situation receives the full attention of a seasoned professional from start to finish.
Key Benefits of Direct Professional Access
- Deep Expertise: As an Enrolled Agent credentialed by the IRS and a former senior finance executive, Mike provides advice grounded in both technical tax knowledge and real-world business experience. Clients receive guidance from a professional who has worked on both sides of the corporate finance equation.
- Personalized Attention: Every client’s financial situation is unique. Mike takes the time to understand individual circumstances, developing tailored strategies rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions. This personalized approach contrasts sharply with the assembly-line processing common at high-volume firms.
- Consistency and Trust: Building a relationship with your tax professional matters. Clients who work with Mike year after year benefit from continuity—he knows their history, understands their goals, and can identify opportunities that someone unfamiliar with their situation might miss.
- Enhanced Accountability: When a senior professional handles your work directly, accountability is clear. For complex returns involving multiple states, S-Corporation elections, or international considerations, having a single experienced point of contact provides confidence that nothing falls through the cracks.
- Empathy and Understanding: Tax issues can be stressful. Client reviews consistently highlight Mike’s empathetic approach and personal touch—qualities that make a meaningful difference when navigating complicated or sensitive financial matters.
Exceptional Value: How Fees Compare
When evaluating professional tax services, clients often assume that working with a highly experienced practitioner requires paying premium rates charged by large firms. Mike Habib, EA offers a compelling alternative: senior-level expertise at rates that represent genuine value.
The comparison below illustrates how Mike’s pricing model delivers exceptional quality without the premium markup that comes with major firm overhead.
| Feature | Mike Habib, EA | Senior Partners at Larger Firms |
| Experience | 20+ years (EA, former corporate finance executive) | 20+ years (CPA or Attorney, firm partner) |
| Direct Contact | Clients work directly with Mike on all matters | Work typically delegated to junior staff; partner review only |
| Hourly Rate | $400–$500 per hour | $850–$1,500 per hour |
| Billing Structure | Many engagements offered at flat fee for cost certainty | Typically hourly billing with unpredictable final costs |
| Value Proposition | Executive expertise, personalized service, and direct access at competitive rates | Brand recognition and firm resources at premium rates |
Why the Difference Matters
The fee disparity between Mike Habib, EA and senior partners at larger firms is substantial—often representing savings of 50% or more for equivalent expertise. But the value proposition extends beyond hourly rates.
At large firms, senior partners command premium rates, but clients rarely receive their undivided attention. Complex work is typically performed by associates and managers, with partners providing oversight and signing off on final deliverables. Clients pay top dollar but interact primarily with less experienced team members.
With Mike, every hour billed is an hour of direct engagement with a professional who brings two decades of specialized experience. There is no delegation, no layers of review, and no disconnect between who performs the work and who is accountable for results.
Flat Fee Engagements: Know Your Cost Upfront
Beyond competitive hourly rates, Mike offers many engagements on a flat fee basis. This pricing structure provides clients with complete cost certainty before work begins—no surprises, no escalating invoices, and no anxiety about how many hours a project might take. For tax preparation, planning engagements, and many resolution matters, clients can budget precisely and focus on outcomes rather than watching the clock.
This transparent approach contrasts sharply with the hourly billing model prevalent at larger firms, where final costs often exceed initial estimates and clients have limited visibility into how their fees accumulate. Flat fee arrangements align incentives: Mike is motivated to work efficiently, and clients receive the full benefit of his expertise without financial uncertainty.
Who Benefits Most
Mike Habib, EA serves clients across a broad spectrum, but his practice is particularly well-suited for individuals and businesses facing complex tax situations that demand experienced handling. This includes taxpayers with multi-state filing requirements, S-Corporation owners navigating pass-through taxation, U.S. expats managing international obligations, and anyone dealing with IRS audits, back taxes, or resolution of outstanding liabilities.
Small and medium-sized business owners especially benefit from Mike’s corporate finance background. His experience as a Controller and Director of Finance means he understands not just tax compliance, but the broader financial strategy considerations that drive business decisions. Clients receive guidance that integrates tax planning with overall business objectives.
The Bottom Line
Working with Mike Habib, EA offers a rare opportunity: direct access to a highly credentialed tax professional with Fortune 500 executive experience, at rates significantly below what comparable expertise commands at larger firms. For clients who value personalized attention, consistent service, and genuine expertise without the premium markup, Mike delivers exceptional value.
In an industry where clients often pay for brand names and firm overhead rather than the quality of individual attention they receive, Mike Habib, EA represents a smarter choice—one where every dollar goes toward the expertise and service that matter most.
