Metairie CPA firm since 1996
Taxes and books, handled all year.
CPA firm in Metairie, Louisiana providing tax preparation, tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll, IRS representation and CFO advisory to individuals and small businesses across Greater New Orleans.
- 30 Years in practice
- 14 Professionals
- 1,100+ Clients a year
- Metairie Serving Greater New Orleans
Tax help
Start with what brought you here
Most people call us about one of four things. Each has a page that explains how we handle it.
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Behind on your taxes?
One year or four. Business or personal. Being behind is common, it is fixable, and it has an end date. We handle catch-up filing from one office in Metairie.
Behind on Taxes -
Got a letter from the IRS?
Send it to us. We read the notice, pull the record behind it and deal with the IRS directly, from one office in Metairie. Somebody local, not a firm on the radio.
IRS Letters & Notices -
Wondering about an S corp?
Most S corp advice comes from people who have never seen your numbers. We run the arithmetic on your return and tell you what it says, including when the answer is no.
S Corp Questions -
Planning before year-end?
We prepare your taxes and plan ahead to lower them. Our approach is built around one principle: proactive planning, personalized to your financial life, with a team that knows your situation.
Year-End Tax Planning
What clients say on Google
It was a breeze, and so thankful to have found an accountant I can trust.
The outstanding team at J.Heath & co. are always courteous, efficient and more than competent to handle everything I have had need for.
Highly recommend! Professional, responsive and knowledgeable.
Recognition: Jennifer H. Heath, CPA, was named one of New Orleans Magazine's Women of Impact for 2023 (opens in a new tab).
Services
What we handle for you
Four core services, run from one office in Metairie.
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Bookkeeping & Payroll
- Books closed every month. Monthly bookkeeping and reconciliation
- Payroll off your desk. Payroll processing and compliance
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Business Tax
- Returns for every entity type. Corporate, partnership, and LLC tax returns
- Someone in your corner with the IRS. IRS representation and audit support
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Personal Tax
- Your return, prepared by CPAs. Individual and family tax returns
- Complex returns welcome. Multi-state and complex returns
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Advisory & CFO
- A CFO without a full-time hire. Part-time CFO advisory services
- Numbers you can plan with. Financial forecasting and budgeting
Industries we serve
Process
From first call to year-round support
The first consultation is free, and no work starts before you have seen a written scope and price.
- 01
Discovery
We get to know you: your business, your goals, and your full financial picture, so nothing gets missed.
- 02
Planning
We build a proactive, year-round tax and financial strategy built around your situation, not a one-size template.
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Execution
We handle the returns, bookkeeping, and compliance, accurately, on time, and with you kept in the loop.
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Year-Round Advisory
We stay in your corner all year, adjusting the plan as your life, your business, and the tax law change.
Since 1996
Founded in 1996. Built to last.
In 1996, Jennifer and Jude started J Heath & Co. CPAs with the single goal of helping individuals navigate the complicated world of taxes, and Jude joined the firm full time in 1998. Since then the firm has grown to a staff of 14, with over 1,100 individual and business clients across multiple industries. Our primary source of new clients is through referrals from satisfied clients, family and friends, and networking connections.
The next generation is already on the team: Russell Heath, Jennifer and Jude's son, is the firm's Chief Operating Officer and is working toward becoming a CPA.
Founded by Jennifer H. Heath, CPA and Jude J. Heath, CPA.
Meet the team Free tools
Free tools we use with clients
No sign-up and no email gate.
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The 2027 deadline calendar
Federal and Louisiana filing and payment dates, each linked to its IRS or Louisiana Department of Revenue source. As of November 2026.
See the deadlines -
Seven tax calculators
Estimate a refund, self-employment tax, quarterly payments, an S corp election, retirement contributions, educator expenses and reasonable compensation.
Open the calculators -
The CPA FAQ
Plain answers on what a CPA does, what one costs and how to choose one.
Read the FAQ
Questions
Questions people ask before they call
Is a CPA the same as an accountant?
Not quite. While all CPAs are accountants, not all accountants are CPAs. An accountant is anyone who manages financial records, including non-licensed bookkeepers and tax preparers. A CPA, however, has earned a state-issued license by passing the Uniform CPA Examination, completing required education (typically 150 college credit hours), and gaining supervised professional experience. CPAs are also held to a strict code of ethics and must complete continuing education to maintain their license.
What can a CPA do that an accountant can't?
CPAs hold exclusive legal authority for certain critical services that non-licensed accountants cannot perform:
- IRS Representation: Only CPAs, attorneys, and Enrolled Agents have unlimited rights to represent clients before the IRS during audits, appeals, or collection issues.
- External Audits: Non-CPAs can perform internal audits, but only a licensed CPA or CPA firm can conduct external audits and audits of publicly traded companies.
- SOC Audits: Service Organization Control audits, which assess a company's internal controls, require a CPA.
- SEC Filings: All publicly traded companies must have their financial statements certified by a CPA before filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Do CPAs only work during tax season?
CPAs work with clients throughout the entire year. While tax preparation is one of the most visible services, some of the most valuable work happens outside of tax season: planning strategies to reduce next year's tax bill, advising on major purchases or business transactions, reviewing financial statements, and helping clients adapt to life changes that have financial implications. A great CPA relationship is ongoing, not seasonal.
What does the first call cost?
Nothing. The first consultation is free, and no work starts before you have seen a written scope and price.
Do you charge by the hour?
Routine work is a fixed fee quoted before we start, and the engagement letter states the fee and its scope. Work outside that scope is billed at $200 an hour, the firm’s standard rate, agreed before it begins.
Start with whatever is bugging you
Tell us what is going on, by form or by phone. Fill out the form and we'll be in touch shortly.
Prefer to talk? Call 504-832-1873