Leveraging the Tax Code to Build Advisory Services
North County San Diego Chapter & CSEA Palomar Chapter Joint In-Person Seminar

Date:

Thursday, August 13, 2026
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
4:00 - 4:30 PM: Check-in
4:30 - 5:30 PM: Presentation Part 1
5:30 - 6:00 PM: Dinner Break
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Presentation Part 2

Location - Different than the normal Cocina Del Charro Location!:

Cocina Del Charro ESCONDIDO
890 W Valley Pkwy
Escondido, CA 92025

Description:

This course is designed for tax practitioners who want to expand beyond compliance services and offer practical advisory services to individual clients. Using the Tax Code as a foundation, the course demonstrates how common client life events and financial transitions can create opportunities for meaningful planning conversations. Participants will explore advisory opportunities that arise during key life stages, including childhood and dependency planning, college years, working years, retirement preparation, Social Security, Medicare, and the death of a spouse. The course also introduces practical approaches for identifying client needs, framing advisory conversations, and developing service offerings that complement an existing tax practice. By the conclusion of the course, participants will understand how to recognize planning opportunities, translate tax expertise into advisory value, and position themselves as proactive resources for clients throughout the year.

Learning Objectives
After attending this seminar, participants will be able to:
 Identify advisory service opportunities that arise from common tax planning issues and client life events.
 Explain how tax practitioners can use existing tax knowledge to initiate broader planning conversations with clients.
 Recognize planning considerations related to children, education, working years, retirement, Social Security, Medicare, and surviving spouse situations.
 Outline practical methods for structuring advisory services in a tax practice.
 Apply a life-stage framework to help clients anticipate tax and financial decisions before they become urgent.Please include this Marketing Blurb if there is space to do so:Ready to move beyond tax preparation and become a more trusted advisor to your clients?This seminar shows tax practitioners how to use the Tax Code as a roadmap for identifying advisory opportunities at every stage of a client’s life—from children and college planning to retirement, Social Security, Medicare, and surviving spouse issues.Learn how to turn everyday tax conversations into practical planning discussions, strengthen client relationships, and create new opportunities for year-round advisory services in your practice.

Speaker: 

Rodney J. Couts, EA
Rodney J. Couts, EA, is President of Seaside Resources, Inc. in Carlsbad, California. Admitted as an Enrolled Agent in 2004, Rodney specializes in serving small businesses—particularly S corporations—as well as high-net-worth individuals and clients navigating stock option planning. He is also a member of the Practice Forward Academy and has successfully incorporated advisory services into his tax practice, helping clients make more informed decisions throughout the year. A dedicated educator and active contributor to the tax profession, Rodney has presented classes for CSTC, CSEA, and NATP, sharing practical insights with fellow tax professionals and supporting the continued growth of the tax community. His commitment to service includes serving as the 2017 President of the California Society of Tax Consultants and being recognized as CSTC’s 2015 Member of the Year. Outside of his professional work, Rodney enjoys traveling, agility training with his dog Leo, and [email protected]

CPE Information:

2 Federal Law hour(s) (Topics covering existing tax law)

IRS: 18QC1-T-02314-26-I
CTEC: 1000-CE-05806

Knowledge Level: Advanced (More experienced)

Cost:

Cost if registered by August 9, 2026
Registration Fee (Member): $40
Registration Fee (Non-Member): $70

Cost if registered after August 9, 2026
Late Registration Fee (Member): $50
Late Registration Fee (Non-Member): $80

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
Written cancellations will be accepted up to three (3) business days before the course begins for a full refund. Please email your request to [email protected]. No refunds will be given if cancellation notice is received later than three (3) business days before the course begins, or for no-show registrants.