Education and Professional Development
Caelen Carstensen is a staff accountant at Schultz & Associates, CPA, a full-service accounting and advisory firm located in Canton, Michigan. He earned his accounting degree from Eastern Michigan University and is currently preparing for the CPA exam. His continued pursuit of professional development reflects a commitment to expanding his technical knowledge and providing meaningful support to clients.
Client Work and Industry Involvement
Caelen assists on engagements across a variety of industries, including real estate, healthcare, construction, professional services, and nonprofit. His contributions include financial statement preparation, tax return support, bookkeeping, and client-specific tax research. Additionally, he works on both recurring compliance tasks and one-time advisory projects, gaining experience with a diverse set of client needs.
Multi-Entity Tax Support and Consolidation
Caelen has gained experience supporting engagements that involve multi-entity tax structures, especially those with overlapping ownership across several separate businesses. These clients often operate through LLCs, partnerships, or S-corporations under common control.
He provides assistance with the consolidation of financial statements and the coordination of tax reporting across entities. This includes organizing financial data, supporting intercompany transaction analysis, and working with the team to maintain accuracy in reporting. His role contributes to helping clients navigate the complexities of multi-entity tax compliance with clarity and structure.
Real Estate Tax Advisory
Caelen also works on real estate-focused tax engagements. He supports the preparation and review of returns for short-term rental properties, commercial and residential rental real estate, and owner-occupied properties with mixed-use considerations.
His experience includes assisting with documentation and analysis for cost segregation studies and 1031 exchanges. These strategies help real estate investors manage taxable income and reinvest gains more efficiently, and Caelen continues to expand his knowledge in this dynamic area.
Trust and Estate Accounting
In addition to business tax services, Caelen contributes to the firm’s work with trust and estate clients. He assists in preparing fiduciary income tax returns (Form 1041), tracking distributions, and ensuring classification of income and expenses. He works closely with senior staff, attorneys, and fiduciaries to help meet regulatory deadlines and reporting requirements.
Professional Approach
Caelen is known among colleagues for his reliability, organization, and thoughtful approach to client work. He communicates clearly with clients and team members and takes pride in contributing to high-quality, timely deliverables. His dedication to learning and professional growth aligns closely with the firm’s collaborative and education-oriented culture.
You can reach Caelen either by phone (734) 354-2380 by email at ccarstensen@schultz-cpa.com..