ProConnect™ Tax spotlight: Ralph Estep Jr.

Working in the cloud provides a lot of advantages for tax accountants who want an always-on experience … it seems the cloud is the place to be for Ralph Estep Jr., LPA, ABA, ATA, ATP, MBA, president of Saggio Management Group, Inc., in Middletown, Delaware. In this profile, find out more about Ralph’s practice, why he changed from one tax software to another, and even a bit about his first job at age 8.

Scott Cytron: Ralph, thanks for agreeing to participate in our Intuit® ProConnect™ Tax spotlight. First, tell me a bit about your firm.

Ralph Estep: Of course. At Saggio, we have 3 full-time staff + myself, who all work in the office vs. remotely. For tax season 2025, we completed about 500 individual and 200 business returns. The firm focuses on small business accounting and tax, individual tax, business coaching, and payroll services.

SC: What does your tech stack look like?

RE: In addition to ProConnect Tax, we use QuickBooks® Online, Link, SmartVault, Zendesk, Time Tracker, and Acuity.

SC: How does ProConnect Tax benefit your practice?

RE: It enables better collaboration with our staff and our clients, saves me time with less data entry, and the integration with Link makes sharing docs very simple.

SC: You recently switched from Intuit® ProSeries® Tax to ProConnect Tax, and you have a session on this at Elevate 2025. Why did you make that change?

RE: I felt that Intuit was moving in that direction anyway, but I am very happy I made the change. I wanted the freedom of being in the cloud and not tied to a desktop, plus I am an Apple power user.

SC: What are your goals for your practice this year?

RE: Growth with more coaching clients. I really want to continue to provide expert services that exceed expectations.

SC: Tell me about your podcast.

RE: I do a Daily Christian Finance show all directed at helping listeners break the cycle of financial shame and do it with confidence, and am getting ready to launch another show targeted at coaching small business clients to success.

SC: How can tax professionals keep up with all the changes in the laws and regulations?

RE: I highly recommend podcasts and other creative media. I feel that traditional CPE is just plain dead and boring.

SC: What was your very first job?

RE: I started working in accounting at age 8. My Dad is an accountant and I have been working in that area ever since. I started my own practice 20 years ago in 2004.

SC: If you were stranded on a desert island with access to just one kind of technology, what would it be and why would you want it?

RE: A microphone and internet access so I can continue bringing content to those who need it.

SC: Thanks Ralph!