To describe Soren Brockdorf as “unconventional” is an understatement, and that’s precisely why he’s successful. The CPA, part-time reserve officer for the University of Florida police department and advocate for victims of the sex slave industry has worked with companies ranging from start-ups to those with sales in the billions.
When asked who his ideal client is, Brockdorf said, “Anyone who is excited and energized about what they do and how they do it.”
But Brockdorf prefers to focus on the flip side of that question by putting himself in his clients’ shoes.
“My perfect CPA would be one that I invited to my business and seemed genuinely excited and energized about what I do and the processes I use to get what I do done,” he said.
That philosophy drives Brockdorf, who is dedicated to helping each client achieve business success by working with them to establish practical and sound tax strategies, financial processes and solid business valuations by bringing together a diverse group of individuals to plan, analyze and design a project from the ground up.
“Although we have worked with clients with sales in excess of $3.5 billion, we focus on small- to medium-sized companies delivering tax and financial services that meet each client’s unique objectives,” he said.
Brockdorf points out two differences between his and other accounting firms. The first is that his is a needs-based accounting firm versus a transactional-based accounting firm, which means that they will ask clients, “What are your needs, and what are you trying to achieve?”
“It is way too often that businesses have a preconceived idea of what their solution should be,” Brockdorf said.
For example, some clients believe that establishing an S-corporation is preferable to a C-corporation. But Brockdorf learns about the needs of the client and, if appropriate, advises them to go against what they initially thought they should do.
“In fact, one of our clients will soon save $5 million by choosing a C-corporation over an S-corporation,” he said.
The second thing that sets Brockdorf’s firm apart is that it is team-centered.