Expert Representation Without the Corporate Markup
A common question I hear is:
"Lauren, you were in the Special Enforcement Program at the IRS and you're an Enrolled Agent - why don't you charge $400 - $750+ an hour like the big firms?"
The answer is simple.
I built Zero Fluff Books to be the firm I wished more business owners had access to when I was on the inside. During my time at the IRS, I saw too many capable entrepreneurs struggle - not because they were non-compliant, but because they couldn't afford the pricing models used by large accounting firms.
Here's how I keep my pricing accessible while maintaining Special Enforcement-level standards.
1. Zero Office Fluff
Traditional firms often carry significant overhead: high-rise office space, large support staffs, and formal trappings designed to impress. Those costs are built directly into hourly rates.
I operate differently. I work in t-shirts, not suits. I don't maintain a receptionist desk, a corner office, or layers of administrative staff. By running a lean, focused firm, I keep my overhead low - and I don't pass unnecessary costs on to my clients.
2. No Junior Associate Slowdown
In large firms, a partner may sell the engagement, but much of the work is performed by junior associates who are still learning. Clients end up paying for both partner oversight and the associate's learning curve.
When you work with Zero Fluff Books, you work directly with me - the Enrolled Agent with 15 years of federal compliance experience. There's no handoff and no training layer. That allows me to work efficiently, accurately, and with full accountability for every decision mad
3. Flat-Fee Transparency
Hourly billing often creates misaligned incentives. It rewards time spent rather than clarity achieved and can discourage clients from asking questions.
I use flat-fee pricing so expectations are clear from the start. You know the scope, the cost, and what's included - before we begin. That allows us to focus on resolving issues and maintaining compliance, not tracking minutes.
How We Compare
Feature Traditional “Big” Firm Zero Fluff Books
Pricing Model $400–$750+ hourly Flat-fee only
Who Does the Work Junior associates & interns Lauren (Former IRS Agent)
Overhead High-rise offices & large staff Lean, focused operation
Primary Focus Billable hours Technical resolution
Communication Heavy jargon Plain English
Built for the Missing Middle
I believe the entrepreneurs who drive our economy deserve professional representation that respects both their time and their money. If I charged what large firms charge, I'd be serving the same narrow segment - and leaving the "Missing Middle" without meaningful access to experienced representation.
My mission is to ensure the government only collects what it is legally entitled to - no more, no less.
Pricing my services fairly is part of that responsibility.
You're not paying for office rent or layers of staff. You're paying for experience, judgment, and work done right.