The Premium Plan is a subscription plan, alongside Heard Lite and Essential, for customers who want more hands-on support and one primary contact. With the Premium Plan, you have a dedicated tax and accounting expert who knows you and your practice. Your expert is your primary contact in Messages, and you can book unlimited 1:1 meetings with them whenever questions come up. Each quarter, you'll also meet for a check-in: your expert reviews your finances ahead of time, shares an agenda, and sends a written summary after the meeting.
The Premium Plan includes everything in Essential and is available for sole proprietors, S corporations, and group practices. Here's what's included, how check-ins and 1:1 meetings work, and how to upgrade.
How the Premium Plan compares to Essential
To see how the Premium Plan compares to Essential, see What's the difference between Essential and the Premium Plan?
What's included
The Premium Plan includes everything in Essential, plus:
- A dedicated expert. An accounting and tax specialist who is an expert in private practices. You're assigned one expert when you join, and they stay your primary contact all year, alongside your bookkeeper and tax preparer. Most of your questions go straight to your expert.
- White-glove onboarding. When you join or upgrade, you'll meet your expert and can book 1:1 onboarding meetings from day one, so your account is set up right from the start.
- Four quarterly check-ins a year. 30-minute meetings each quarter. Your expert reviews your books beforehand, sends an agenda, and follows up with a written summary.
- Unlimited 1:1 meetings. Book time with your expert whenever a question comes up between check-ins.
- A connected team. Your expert works closely with your bookkeeper and with the licensed CPA or EA who prepares your return, so your books, taxes, and planning stay aligned.
For sole proprietors
If your practice is a sole proprietorship or single-member LLC that isn't taxed as an S corporation, your expert helps with the questions that come up as your practice grows:
- The right setup for your practice. Your expert reviews your current setup and walks you through whether a change, like an S corp election, could save you money, including any deadlines that apply to you.
- Estimated taxes that stay on track. Your expert checks that your quarterly estimates keep pace with your income, including other household income like a spouse's W-2, so there are fewer surprises at tax time.
- Year-end planning. What to take care of before December 31, while there's still time to act.
- A strong start for new practices. If you're just getting started, your expert helps you set aside money for taxes and keep your books clean from day one.
For S corporations
If you're an S corporation, the Premium Plan also includes:
- S corp review at each quarterly check-in. Your expert confirms your S corp is still the right setup as your practice grows.
- A salary and distribution plan built with your expert and revisited at every quarterly check-in as your income changes.
- Accountable plan setup alongside your expert in a 1:1 meeting, so you know exactly what to reimburse and how.
- Payroll onboarding support. Live 1:1 support from your expert as you set up payroll (Heard Payroll is an add-on).
For group practices
If you're a group practice, the Premium Plan also includes:
- Growth planning at your quarterly check-ins, including cash flow, hiring timing, and what each new provider means for your taxes.
- Payroll onboarding support. Live 1:1 support from your expert as you set up payroll for yourself and your team (Heard Payroll is an add-on).
How quarterly check-ins work
- Before the meeting: your expert reviews your books and sends a proposed agenda 1 business day ahead. You can add your own topics by replying to the agenda.
- After the meeting: your expert sends a written summary with a recap and action items within 1 business day.
How 1:1 meetings work
Book time with your expert whenever a question comes up. There's no set limit to your 1:1 meetings.
- How to book: Use your expert's booking link, which you'll find in your Premium Plan welcome email.
- Length: 30 minutes.
- How to join: Join by video or dial in by phone.
- Availability: Meetings are based on your expert's availability.
- Cancel or reschedule: At least 24 hours ahead, using the link in your booking confirmation or reminder email.
Who can join your meetings?
You're welcome to bring a spouse or financial advisor to your check-ins and 1:1 meetings. Your meetings are always with you, so please plan to attend each one yourself. Your expert doesn't meet separately with your financial advisor, attorney, or other professionals on your behalf.
What your expert can and can't help with
Your expert can help with your bookkeeping and profit and loss, estimated taxes, tax-season readiness, S corp and entity questions, payroll and reasonable compensation guidance, retirement options and deadlines, and cash planning for your practice.
Like the rest of the Heard team, your expert can't:
- Speak with the IRS for you or act under a power of attorney
- Prepare or file your annual return (your Tax Preparer does this)
- File quarterly estimated taxes or entity paperwork for you
- Provide personalized tax planning or advisory services
- Run payroll or make changes in Gusto for you, though they're happy to walk you through it
How to upgrade to the Premium Plan
- In the left-side menu, go to Your Name › User Settings › Plan and Billing.
- Click Change plan, then choose the Premium plan.
- Review your new price and any prorated charge, then click Confirm and pay.
You can also go straight to Change plan.
After you upgrade, you'll receive a welcome email with next steps for meeting your expert.