The practical difference

Sikich describes coordinated federal, state, local, international and private-client tax work, plus outsourced accounting and industry-focused services. Compare the proposed work and team with AE’s written advisory scope.

AE Tax Advisors provides tax planning for business owners and real estate investors. Standard advisory is $7,800 and complex advisory is $9,800. Returns, amendments, cost segregation and additional work are separately scoped and priced.

Published by AE Tax Advisors, a competing service provider. This is a commercial comparison of public service information, not an independent ranking or firsthand customer review. Sources checked November 7, 2026; confirm current availability and fees directly.

Compare the engagement

DecisionSikichAE Tax Advisors
Public modelSikich describes coordinated federal, state, local, international and private-client tax work, plus outsourced accounting and industry-focused services.A defined tax advisory engagement for business owners and real estate investors.
Implementation and filingAssign the preparer, reviewer and filing responsibility for each entity and owner return. Confirm whether elections, amendments and responses to notices are included in this proposal.Agree on the professional responsible for each task. Returns, amendments, studies and additional work have separate scopes and prices.
Fees and future supportSee sourced fees and scope questions$7,800 standard; $9,800 complex advisory. No required standard annual planning renewal; support is limited to the agreed period.
Key buying questionWho coordinates outsourced books with tax planning and filing?Which owner and entity decisions does AE address, who implements them and what filing or specialty work is separately scoped?

Choose Sikich when its proposal matches these needs

Keep Sikich on your shortlist when coordinated business tax and outsourced accounting are part of the required scope. Confirm which teams and project lead are assigned.

Consider AE for this situation

You operate a manufacturing business with outsourced books and an upcoming acquisition. Compare the proposed accounting handoff, tax projections, transaction specialists and owner-level work before selecting an engagement.

Choose the proposal with the technical scope, implementation assignments and service cadence this situation requires. A public service menu or lower starting fee alone does not establish the better fit.

AE can discuss planning across the operating business, owner income and real estate. Confirm prior-year review, implementation and affected returns in the proposal. Neither provider is the universal choice. A discovery call determines potential fit; detailed analysis follows an agreed engagement.

Ask for a proposal you can compare

  • Who coordinates outsourced books with tax planning and filing?
  • Which transaction and industry specialists are assigned?
  • Does the proposal cover owners as well as entities?
  • What ongoing cadence and added-project fees apply?

Give shortlisted firms the same entity list, current financials, prior returns, property schedule and next decision date. Request a written work plan identifying each deliverable, assigned professional, client dependency, implementation deadline and separately billed service. Send sensitive records through the firm’s secure intake process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sikich or AE Tax Advisors a better fit?

Choose the proposal with the technical scope, implementation assignments and service cadence this situation requires. A public service menu or lower starting fee alone does not establish the better fit.

Can I keep my existing tax preparer?

Ask each firm whether its proposed planning engagement permits coordination with your current preparer. Identify who signs the return, implements recommendations and checks completion. AE’s responsibilities depend on the agreed scope.

Official sources and research date

Service descriptions are attributed to the linked provider websites. AE has not independently verified advertised savings, customer outcomes or service delivery. A public service menu does not establish the contents of your engagement.

Researched November 7, 2026 by AE Tax Advisors. No customer star rating or universal winner is assigned.

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Talk Through Your Situation

Discuss your priorities, upcoming decisions and whether a study or advisory engagement fits. Detailed analysis, implementation or filing work follows an agreed written scope.

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