If there is one universal truth in the world of private practice, it’s this: You went to school to help people, not to become an accountant.
Yet, every private practice owner eventually slams into the wall of administrative reality. Between client notes, insurance claims, and scheduling, there is the looming shadow of finances. Bookkeeping, quarterly estimated taxes, S-Corp elections, and payroll can quickly turn a dream practice into a source of anxiety.
Enter Heard (formerly known as JoinHeard).
Positioned as the "financial back-office for therapists," Heard promises to take the confusing jumble of numbers off your plate so you can focus on clinical work. But is it worth the monthly subscription? Let’s break down what they offer, what it costs, and who it’s actually for.
What is Heard?
Heard is a specialized financial platform designed exclusively for mental health professionals. Unlike a generic local accountant who handles everything from restaurants to construction firms, Heard is built specifically for:
• Therapists
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Group Practice Owners
They combine software with human support to act as an all-in-one financial department.
The Core Features: What Do You Actually Get?
Heard isn't just "Quickbooks for therapists." It’s a bundled service that replaces the need for separate bookkeeping software, a CPA, and a payroll provider.
1. Automated Bookkeeping
Heard connects to your business bank accounts and credit cards. Their software (and team) categorizes your transactions for you. This means at the end of the month, you get a clear Profit & Loss statement without having to manually label every coffee purchase or office supply order.
2. Tax Management (The Big One)
This is usually the biggest selling point. Heard handles:
• Quarterly Estimated Taxes: They calculate exactly what you owe the IRS and state each quarter so you aren't hit with a surprise bill (or penalty) in April.
• Annual Tax Filings: They prepare and file your annual business tax returns and, in many plans, your personal tax returns as well.
3. S-Corp Support
For therapists making over a certain profit threshold (often around $60k-$80k), switching to an S-Corp status can save thousands in self-employment taxes. Heard specializes in this transition, handling the reasonable salary calculations and the necessary paperwork to elect S-Corp status.
4. Payroll
If you are an S-Corp or a group practice, you need to run payroll. Heard integrates this directly (often powered by Gusto on the backend) so you can pay yourself or your clinicians easily.
The Pricing: Is It Expensive?
Heard operates on a monthly subscription model, which is different from the traditional "hourly rate" of a CPA.
• Solo Practices (Sole Proprietors): Plans typically start around $169–$199/month.
• S-Corps: Plans usually jump to the $250–$299/month range due to the increased complexity of payroll and corporate filings.
• Group Practices: Pricing scales based on the size of the practice and complexity.
Note: They often offer discounts (around 15%) if you pay annually upfront.
Is that high?
At first glance, ~$200/month sounds steep compared to a $40/month Quickbooks subscription. However, you have to compare apples to apples. If you hired a separate bookkeeper ($300/mo) and a CPA for annual taxes ($1,000+ once a year), Heard often comes out cheaper—or at least comparable—but with everything integrated in one place.
The Pros and Cons
Based on user reviews and the platform's design, here is the honest breakdown.
The Good
• Therapy-Specific Knowledge: They know what "supervision fees" and "EHR costs" are. You don’t have to explain your business model to them.
• One Dashboard: Seeing your taxes, profit, and expenses in one login is incredibly clarifying.
• No Surprise Bills: Traditional accountants often bill by the hour for every email. Heard’s flat fee covers support questions.
• S-Corp Ease: They make the intimidating jump to S-Corp status much less scary.
The Not-So-Good
• It’s Tech-Forward, Not Local: If you want to sit down in a leather chair and drink coffee with your accountant once a year, this isn't for you. Communication is digital (chat/email).
• Mixed Support Reviews: Some users have reported that as the company grew, response times slowed down. You are often dealing with a "support team" rather than one dedicated person who knows your dog's name.
• Automation Errors: Like any automated service, the categorization can sometimes be wrong (e.g., categorizing a personal expense as business). You still need to review your monthly reports; you can't purely "set it and forget it."
The Verdict: Who Should Join Heard?
Heard is a "Green Light" for you if:
• You are comfortable with technology and prefer a digital dashboard over paper meetings.
• You are a solo practitioner overwhelmed by taxes and falling behind on bookkeeping.
• You are considering switching to an S-Corp and want someone to hold your hand through the process.
https://affiliate.joinheard.com/qk9uqvrg3ay3