Okay, let’s tackle this. So Nicole Lash is a CPA with skills in tax, corporate tax, accounting, and auditing. She’s based in Schenectady, NY, which is a medium-sized city in upstate New York. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants and auditors in the Albany, NY metropolitan area (which includes Schenectady) have median salaries around $60,000. However, considering her expertise in corporate tax and financial analysis, she might be able to charge a premium. Let’s look at national averages. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy reports that CPAs can charge between $100 and $250 per hour, depending on experience and location. Since Nicole has a strong skill set and is based in a smaller city, I’ll estimate her hourly rate to be around $75, which is slightly below the national average but still reflective of her expertise and location.