How LJB CPAs Expanded Tax Capacity with Magnetic
LJB CPAs is a 40+ person firm in Dallas and Arlington, Texas, whose individual return volume had become a capacity constraint. Magnetic now supports the majority of its individual tax preparation, with meaningfully faster turnaround on many returns and no dedicated internal owner needed to get started.
Firm
LJB CPAs
Location
Dallas & Arlington, TX
Returns
600+ a season
Tax software
Lacerte
At a glance
2–4 days
turnaround on individual returns
Zero
dedicated internal owner needed to get started
Magnetic now supports the majority of LJB’s individual tax preparation workflow.
The challenge
Capacity, not demand
LJB has experienced significant growth as a full-service firm offering tax, accounting, and audit services. As client demand increased, the firm faced a familiar challenge in public accounting: finding and developing enough experienced professionals to prepare and review returns while maintaining the quality, reliability, and service clients expect.
The firm had used outside support for certain business returns, but its individual tax return volume remained a significant capacity constraint. LJB needed a solution that could create meaningful capacity without placing another major implementation responsibility on an already busy internal team.
What LJB looked for
Before selecting Magnetic, LJB evaluated several technology-enabled tax preparation solutions. Many required substantial internal ownership, training, and adoption across the firm. LJB wanted a different model: a solution that could integrate into its workflow with limited administrative burden while preserving the firm’s review process and professional oversight.
“We were looking for a meaningful tax capacity solution, not simply another system for our team to learn and manage.
Magnetic offered a practical way to support our preparation workflow while allowing our people to stay focused on review, professional judgment, and client service.”
Dilshad AliSenior Tax Manager, LJB CPAsThe solution
How the team’s work changed
Magnetic now supports the majority of LJB’s individual tax preparation workflow. By reducing repetitive preparation work, this approach has helped the firm redirect internal capacity toward higher-value activities.
More focus on review and professional judgment
Team members can spend more time checking return information, comparing current-year results with prior-year results, and identifying items that may warrant further client discussion.
A risk-based review approach
LJB can allocate manager attention to higher-complexity engagements while continuing to apply its established review and quality-control standards.
More time for client relationships and business development
Reduced preparation pressure gives managers and partners additional capacity for client conversations, advisory opportunities, and firm growth.
More proactive communication
The team has greater flexibility to connect with clients before deadlines and quarterly estimates, helping the firm deliver the responsive service clients value.
“We’re open with our clients about how we use AI.
Our people focus on the relationship and the judgment calls, and we let the technology handle the first level preparation work.
Magnetic gave us real capacity without asking our team to take on another implementation.”
The results
What changed for LJB CPAs
LJB has seen improved workflow efficiency and meaningfully faster turnaround times on many individual returns. Clients have commented positively on the improvement. Just as importantly, the firm has been able to direct more of its experienced professionals’ time toward complex work, client communication, and advisory service.
“Magnetic has become an important part of how we address capacity.
For firms facing a similar challenge, our advice is simple: evaluate the model, understand how it fits your quality-control process, and see whether it can help your team focus on the work that creates the most value for clients.”
Dilshad AliSenior Tax Manager, LJB CPAsWhy it worked for LJB
LJB did not need a dedicated internal owner or broad adoption before the firm could realize benefits. Magnetic provided preparation support within a defined workflow, while LJB retained responsibility for review, professional judgment, client communication, and delivery.
“Technology is not a substitute for professional judgment. Its value comes from combining efficient tools and processes with continued investment in capable, well-trained people.”
About LJB CPAs
LJB CPA (Lawrence J. Beardsley CPA, PLLC) exists to enhance lives through relationship-focused accounting—long-term, trust-based relationships with clients and with one another. What was, five years ago, a six-person cost reporting, bookkeeping, and tax compliance practice is today a full-service firm of more than 40 people, providing tax advisory, client accounting services, assurance and attest, family office accounting and tax advisory, and consulting from offices in Dallas and Arlington, Texas, to clients in over 30 states. Four core values guide the work—Devotion, Reliability, Authenticity, and Curiosity. They are behavioral standards, not aspirations: how the team shows up, keeps its word, tells the truth, and listens. That same curiosity is why AI is part of how the firm works rather than an experiment. Learn more at ljbcpa.com.
FAQ
Questions about LJB CPAs’s results
How did LJB CPAs add capacity without another implementation?
LJB evaluated several technology-enabled tax preparation tools, but many needed substantial internal ownership and training. Magnetic provided preparation support within a defined workflow, so the firm saw benefits without a dedicated internal owner or broad adoption.
Who reviews returns that Magnetic prepares?
LJB keeps responsibility for review, professional judgment, client communication and delivery, and applies its established quality-control standards to every return.
Does Magnetic work with Lacerte?
Yes. LJB CPAs prepares returns in Lacerte. Magnetic also works with Drake, UltraTax CS and CCH Axcess.
