Business Details
24 Years
experience
Expert CPA Services in Pinellas County, FL
Bankes Planning Associates was established to provide tailored accounting, tax, and advisory services to businesses and individuals in Pinellas County, FL, and beyond. With over 33 years of experience, our team specializes in industry-specific solutions for healthcare, dental, law firms, and real estate. We prioritize understanding each client's unique goals to deliver personalized financial strategies that minimize tax liabilities, solve complex accounting issues, and maximize wealth. Our services include outsourced CFO support, business incorporation, QuickBooks setup, and wealth management.We emphasize proactive tax planning, timely advice, and comprehensive financial guidance to ensure long-term client success. As a trusted partner, we offer free introductory consultations and maintain affiliations with professional organizations like the American Institute of CPAs. Our commitment to client satisfaction is reflected in our personalized approach and decades of experience serving clients across 16 states.
Services
Small Business Accounting
Tax Preparation
Wealth Management
QuickBooks Support
Business Incorporation
Outsourced CFO Services
IRS Tax Problem Resolution
Estate Planning
Financial Consulting
Cryptocurrency Tax Services
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized accounting solutions tailored to your unique business needs.
- Our team has 33 years of experience serving diverse industries including healthcare and law.
- We provide proactive tax planning to minimize liabilities and maximize savings.
- Our outsourced CFO services deliver expert financial guidance at a fraction of the cost.
- We maintain affiliations with leading professional organizations like the AICPA.
Associations and certifications
- Certified Public Accountant in Florida
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Institute of Dental CPAs
Services
Small Business Accounting
Our small business accounting services provide scalable solutions for financial management, including payroll processing, budget creation, and cash flow monitoring. We help businesses maintain accurate records while offering strategic tax planning to reduce liabilities. Our clients gain actionable insights through regular financial reporting to support informed decision-making.
Tax Planning
We develop customized tax reduction strategies aligned with your business structure and financial goals. Our services include year-round tax planning, entity selection analysis, and compliance guidance to minimize liabilities. Clients benefit from proactive advice on deductions, credits, and regulatory changes affecting their industry.
Wealth Management
Our wealth management services focus on asset preservation and intergenerational transfer through retirement planning, estate strategies, and investment management. We create personalized plans addressing succession, tax-efficient wealth transfer, and long-term financial security for business owners and high-net-worth individuals.
Business Incorporation
We guide new business owners through entity selection, tax ID applications, and accounting system setup. Our incorporation services consider liability protection, tax implications, and growth objectives. Clients receive comprehensive support from legal structure selection to ongoing compliance requirements for corporations, LLCs, and LLPs.
Outsourced CFO Services
Our outsourced CFO services deliver strategic financial leadership for growing businesses. We provide cash flow analysis, risk management, and profit improvement strategies at a fraction of in-house costs. Clients gain access to expert guidance on mergers, capital raising, and operational efficiency without full-time executive expenses.
People
James A. Bankes
Owner/CPA/PFS
James Bankes is a Certified Public Accountant with 33 years of experience serving businesses across healthcare, law, and real estate industries. He graduated from Rowan University with an accounting degree and worked at mid-sized firms before founding Bankes Planning Associates in 2002. He specializes in financial solutions for business growth and cash flow management.
Patti Bankes
Director of Public Relations
Patti Bankes brings 18 years of sales and marketing experience to her role as Director of Public Relations. She manages client relationships and coordinates access to the firm's resources while supporting community initiatives in Tampa Bay. Her background includes entrepreneurship and client satisfaction leadership.
Questions
What accounting services do you offer for small businesses?
We provide comprehensive small business accounting including bookkeeping, payroll processing, financial reporting, and cash flow management tailored to your specific industry needs.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
Yes, we provide no-cost introductory consultations to discuss your accounting, tax, or financial planning needs with our CPA team.
What tax services do you specialize in?
Our tax services include preparation, planning, cryptocurrency tax reporting, IRS problem resolution, and strategic tax reduction planning for businesses and individuals.
How can you help with business incorporation?
We guide entity selection, handle tax ID applications, and set up accounting systems for new businesses while advising on liability protection and tax implications.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Pinellas County, FL including Clearwater and Largo, with clients across Florida and 15 additional states.
What wealth management services are available?
Our wealth management includes retirement planning, estate strategies, asset allocation, and tax-efficient wealth transfer solutions for business owners and high-net-worth families.