Our Philosophy:

Treating every client as if they're our only client.

Why We Do It

Lifting the Veil

Despite the enormous time spent chasing it, the cold hard truth is that money – in and of itself – has no real value. It is simply the means to an end. It is the fuel that allows us to fund our lives, achieve our goals, and fulfill our dreams. And in their pursuit of these goals and dreams, our clients seek to bring system and order to their financial lives. Unfortunately, the path at times can be confusing and fraught with peril. Our mission in life is to help guide the way.

Should we collaborate?

How We Do It

The Path from Reactive to Proactive

In most instances, our client relationships begin with filing a tax return. In the initial Tax Interview, we take the time to understand your specific situation in an effort to optimize your result. Post-meeting, we work systematically through your return using a precise and finely-honed methodology designed to ensure that no tax-savings opportunity is overlooked. Upon your return, we review the completed tax return together to ensure that you have an understanding of how all the moving parts came together to generate the current result, and what steps you can take moving forward to generate the result you desire.

This same deliberate, collaborative approach defines the entire client relationship, as we move into developing Tax Strategies designed to reduce the tax you pay, and Financial Planning Strategies designed to protect and grow your wealth.

Should we collaborate?

The CC Differential

Achieving Harmony

What sets the Clem Collaborative apart from others in our field is not simply the suite of services we offer, but rather the manner in which we approach them. While there is certainly convenience in being able to obtain both tax and financial services under one roof, the true value in such a union is the synergy that comes from having the disparate pieces of one’s financial life work in harmony. Put another way, by treating each aspect of your financial life as part of a unified whole, we can help you move further and faster toward your goals.

Should we collaborate?

Our promise

An Individual Approach

At The Clem Collaborative, we strive to treat every client as if they were our only client. To us, this means everything from making sure we use every bit of our tax knowledge to maximize your refund or minimize your balance due, to crafting individualized strategies to help you reach your goals, to returning phone calls and answering emails in a timely manner. We know that all successful partnerships begin with shared respect, and we continually strive to be deserving of the respect you give us, and the trust you place in us.

Should we collaborate?

OUR TEAM

Tax Planner in Charleston, SC

Steven E Clem, E.A.

Founder

"The thing I love most about what we do is when a lightbulb goes off and a client finally "sees" something they hadn't understood or realized before. Those moments are pure magic."

As Founder of The Clem Collaborative, Steven prepared his first professional tax return more than 20 years ago during his freshman year in college, when a roommate, seeing Steven prepare his own tax return, asked him how much he would charge to do his return. Steven, taken somewhat aback, paused and said “hmmm…twenty bucks?” Before …

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Bill Lawitzke

Bookkeeper

Since joining The Clem Collaborative in November 2016, Bill has helped launch the firm’s expansion Bookkeeping Division. With more than 30 years of experience, Bill brings to the table a wealth of knowledge that assists his clients and creates individual bookkeeping systems that will work for them. Bill studied Business Administration/Accounting and has spent a …

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Sally Smith Nicoli

Sally Smith Nicoli

Sally Smith Nicoli enthusiastically joined The Clem Collaborative in November of 2023. A licensed financial advisor and fiduciary, Sally brings a wealth of experience to the team. With a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Relations, she began her career guiding individuals and families in the educational arena. Sally was called to the financial services …

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