Complaint Review: Ipa - International Profit Associates - International Tax Associates - Buffalo Grove Illinois

My company has been working w/ IPA for about a month now and I can't say enough positive things about every single person I've come into contact with. They have been up-front and impressive from the initial sales call through the project we've started. Every single penny we've spent on their services (and it's been expensive!) has been worth it.

When we decided to put our effort into a key area we felt was most important instead of all the other areas they recommended- no problem at all.

When we needed to split up the consulting hours to help our cash-flow in order to maintain our vendor payables while paying them - no problem at all.

Their project manager has taught us so much about "running the business of our business" in just a few short weeks and we can't wait for him to come back.

For those who say they were ripped off, I can only say that if you truly got ripped off you only did so because you chose to. Nobody from IPA can physically make you sign a contract or cut them a check and sign it. Instead of blaming IPA you might consider blaming yourself and address your decision-making skills. IPA works w/ a 24 hour contract that can be cancelled at any time and has you sign off on progress summaries every step of the way, at which time you can express your displeasure and even sever ties with them.

We look forward to seeing our project through to the finish and if we end up getting "ripped off" you can bet I'll point the thumb insteadof the finger because they can't force me to do anything I don't agree to do.

Greetings from a former employee.

IPA-IBA-ITA is in fact a giant scam. They are so good, in fact, that they even manage to scam some of their employees. Now, mind you, I worked in house, not as a consultant, so I was not one of the people that flew to your office and scammed you, nor was I one of the lawyers who called you and threatened to sue if you didn't pay. I was simply an in-house lawyer hired to do legal work for clients that company actually managed to retain and collect bills from.

When I went to interview, it all seemed too good to be true. I should have figured out that something was fishy based on that. But anyhow, I was promised an office, a viable client base, and a nice work environment. Wrong. Once I came on board, I realized that the place was a total joke. In fact, only after I walked in the first day, was shown to a gloomy little cube, and was told that the company was not going to pay a salary equal to that agreed to (turns out the salary was pretty abysmal, and that I would have to earn commission on the work done), did I find out that IBA, IPA, ITA whatever in fact had the dubious distinction of being the target of the top not only one, but TOP TWO largest and most serious federal employment discrimination lawsuits in the history of the EEOC. Ah, that explained a lot. So, I decided to do a little digging of my own, found hundreds of BBB complaints, discovered that the owner of the company was a disbarred attorney (for STEALING money from CLIENTS), and that the owner was in fact subject to several criminal charges on his own.

Long story short, I didn't want anything to do with the place (who knows, if I were still there, maybe MY name would be posted here as a perpetrator!). So, after a few unceremonious weeks, I resigned.

I am surprised they are still in business.

-Former Employee

Greetings from a former employee.

IPA-IBA-ITA is in fact a giant scam. They are so good, in fact, that they even manage to scam some of their employees. Now, mind you, I worked in house, not as a consultant, so I was not one of the people that flew to your office and scammed you, nor was I one of the lawyers who called you and threatened to sue if you didn't pay. I was simply an in-house lawyer hired to do legal work for clients that company actually managed to retain and collect bills from.

When I went to interview, it all seemed too good to be true. I should have figured out that something was fishy based on that. But anyhow, I was promised an office, a viable client base, and a nice work environment. Wrong. Once I came on board, I realized that the place was a total joke. In fact, only after I walked in the first day, was shown to a gloomy little cube, and was told that the company was not going to pay a salary equal to that agreed to (turns out the salary was pretty abysmal, and that I would have to earn commission on the work done), did I find out that IBA, IPA, ITA whatever in fact had the dubious distinction of being the target of the top not only one, but TOP TWO largest and most serious federal employment discrimination lawsuits in the history of the EEOC. Ah, that explained a lot. So, I decided to do a little digging of my own, found hundreds of BBB complaints, discovered that the owner of the company was a disbarred attorney (for STEALING money from CLIENTS), and that the owner was in fact subject to several criminal charges on his own.

Long story short, I didn't want anything to do with the place (who knows, if I were still there, maybe MY name would be posted here as a perpetrator!). So, after a few unceremonious weeks, I resigned.

I am surprised they are still in business.

-Former Employee

Disillusioned,

Thanks for the advice. So if the sales people dont make any money, do the tax and business analysts make any? Or does it all just go up to the top? Thanks again for sharing your experiences.

To answer your question about accepting that position with IPA - DON'T! I was recruited to work for IPA about a year ago and it sounded like a terrific opportunity. I was recruited to be a "senior area manager" or a local sales rep. My job was to follow up on "appointments" set for me by the "business consultants" or telemarketers in the home office in Illinois and get a business analyst into the company to perform a business analysis. I was paid if the owner agreed to allow the analyst in to their business and the analysis was performed.

However the reality was far different. The "appointments" proved to be bogus and I was expected to "bash the door in" to get in front of reluctant business owners. The company deliberately assigns marketing territories about an hour's drive away so I was also burning a lot of expensive gasoline on those wild goose chases. Of course many times the analysis wasn't performed as scheduled and I wasn't paid as expected.

The company's pay system is so antiquated it isn't funny. It takes about four weeks to get paid on a sale (if you get paid at all). In the end, you will be spending a lot of your own money hoping to make a big score and get paid on a good sized case. Of course, I failed to mention the inside sales sharks who will follow you around and kill any potential sales for you.

Scroll down to some of my earlier postings on this board from late summer and fall of 2007. Read them and then decide whether this is the career for you. I was in a training class that completed their training the first week of May, 2007. There were 14 of us who completed the training and by Labor Day, all 14 of us had left the company. That is a 100% turnover rate in four months.

There is an earlier posting on this thread about how there are many good analysts and consultants in IPA that care about their clients and the businesses they see. That much is true. I have met some of those dedicated people who truly care about their clients and believe that they are performing a valuable function in the business community.

However, a person is often judged by the company they keep (or work for) and IPA is a den of thieves and a pack of liars. There is a couple of sayings that are very true. One is "a fish rots from the head on down". That is so true about IPA. Their head honcho, John Burgess is a disbarred attorney (in two states), a sex offender and a convicted felon. That has been well documented. The other expression is "if you lie down with dogs, you will get fleas".

If anyone values their reputation and has a high degree of integrity, then it is wise to avoid IPA entirely as an employer. However if one only cares about how much money they can make and doesn't mind telling a lot of lies, then this may be the career for you. I will also advise that if you decide to go to work for IPA, you should also have a good second source of income for your household because you will spend more than you make with IPA for the first three months.

Dave,

I have been offered a position with IPA and I was wondering if you could elaborate on your statement about barely making a decent living. Would you say that the salaries they promise analysts are inaccurate? Thanks

You have been encouraged to contact a newspaper or television/radio station in your area that does investigative reporting. Unfortunately, not enough of you are doing that. YOU WILL SPEND LESS TIME DOING THIS THAN YOU DID WITH IPA!! AND THE VALUE TO OTHER BUSINESSES IN YOUR AREA WILL BE GREAT!! Here is some help to get you started. Much of this info came from ire.org/contest/past/02winners.html#largenews

I've listed city, television station, newspaper, AND the name of investigative reporters at those locations.

I hope this helps you get the word out. Call one of these media, ask for a specific reporter by name and tell your story. Or, find the media in your area go to the media's website and find contact info. If you need an additional reference for either yourself or the media you contact, take a look at this story published in the Miami Herald - miamiherald.com/business/story/319796.html

Television/Radio

=SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 received the "Station of the Year Award", Tuesday, March 11, at the 2007 Broadcast Excellence Awards, hosted by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB).
=Best Investigative Reporting 2nd place - Peter Daut & George Cervantes, KFOX-TV El Paso, TX
=Best Investigative Reporting honorable mention - Stephanie Valle, KVIA-TV El Paso, TX
=Roberta Baskin Director, I-Team/Investigative Reporter WJLA-TV Arlington, VA
=WTAE Channel 4 is the only television station to receive a medal. ... organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting worldwide Pittsburgh, PA
=KQED Public Broadcasting in the Bay Area, California
=KHOU-Houston, David Raziq, Anna Werner and Chris Henao Texas
= WFAA-Dallas, Brett Shipp; Mark Smith; Kraig Kirchem; David Duitch Texas
= WJW-Cleveland, Greg Easterly, Tom Merriman, Ron Mounts, Mark DeMarino, Dave Hollis and Tim Roskey Cleveland, OH
= WNBC-New York, Jonathan Dienst New York, NY
= WTVF-Nashville, Phil Williams; Bryan Staples Tennessee
= WITI-Milwaukee, Bob Segall and Diane Carbonara Wisconsin
= WKRC-Cincinnati, Jeff Hirsh and Jeff Barnhill Ohio
= WOAI-San Antonio (formerly KMOL), Joe Ellis; Brian Collister; Stephen Kline Texas

Newspapers:

=The Birmingham News, John Archibald, Jeff Hansen, Carla Crowder, Thomas Spencer and Marie Jones Birmingham, AL
=Dayton Daily News, Steve Bennish; Tom Beyerlein Dayton, OH
=The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer, Joseph Neff
=The Virginian-Pilot, Liz Szabo
=The Boston Globe, Walter V. Robinson, Matt Carroll, Sacha Pfeiffer, Michael Rezendes, Stephen Kurkjian, Michael Paulson, Kevin Cullen and Thomas Farragher
=Los Angeles Times, Alan C. Miller and Kevin Sack
=The Orange County Register, Scott M. Reid, Marla Jo Fisher and Natalya Shulyakovskaya - Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)
=The Miami Herald, Ronnie Greene and Joe Mozingo Florida
=The New York Times, David Cay Johnston N.Y.
=The Wall Street Journal, Ellen E. Schultz and Theo Francis
=The Fresno Bee, Mark Grossi; Barbara Anderson; Russell Clemings California
=Winston-Salem Journal, Kevin Begos; Danielle Deaver; John Railey and Scott Sexton North Carolina
=Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat, Gary Dotson, George Pawlaczyk and Beth Hundsdorfer Illinoios
=Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette, Eric Eyre and Scott Finn
=Springfield News Leader, Laura Bauer Missouri
=Tri-City Herald, Mike Lee - Tri-City Herald (Pasco, Wash.)
=The Village Voice, Tom Robbins New York City
=Atlanta Business Chronicle, Sarah Rubenstein and Walter Woods Georgia
=Dallas Observer, Thomas Korosec and Rose Farley Texas
=Northwest Explorer, Patrick Cavanaugh Tucson, AZ
= Chicago Sun-Times, Frank Main, Carlos Sadovi and Steve Warmbir Illinois
= Daytona Beach News-Journal, Patrick Wright Florida
= San Francisco Chronicle, Seth Rosenfeld California
= The Detroit News, Kimberly Hayes Taylor Michigan

You have been encouraged to contact a newspaper or television/radio station in your area that does investigative reporting. Unfortunately, not enough of you are doing that. YOU WILL SPEND LESS TIME DOING THIS THAN YOU DID WITH IPA!! AND THE VALUE TO OTHER BUSINESSES IN YOUR AREA WILL BE GREAT!! Here is some help to get you started. Much of this info came from ire.org/contest/past/02winners.html#largenews

I've listed city, television station, newspaper, AND the name of investigative reporters at those locations.

I hope this helps you get the word out. Call one of these media, ask for a specific reporter by name and tell your story. Or, find the media in your area go to the media's website and find contact info. If you need an additional reference for either yourself or the media you contact, take a look at this story published in the Miami Herald - miamiherald.com/business/story/319796.html

Television/Radio

=SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 received the "Station of the Year Award", Tuesday, March 11, at the 2007 Broadcast Excellence Awards, hosted by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB).
=Best Investigative Reporting 2nd place - Peter Daut & George Cervantes, KFOX-TV El Paso, TX
=Best Investigative Reporting honorable mention - Stephanie Valle, KVIA-TV El Paso, TX
=Roberta Baskin Director, I-Team/Investigative Reporter WJLA-TV Arlington, VA
=WTAE Channel 4 is the only television station to receive a medal. ... organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting worldwide Pittsburgh, PA
=KQED Public Broadcasting in the Bay Area, California
=KHOU-Houston, David Raziq, Anna Werner and Chris Henao Texas
= WFAA-Dallas, Brett Shipp; Mark Smith; Kraig Kirchem; David Duitch Texas
= WJW-Cleveland, Greg Easterly, Tom Merriman, Ron Mounts, Mark DeMarino, Dave Hollis and Tim Roskey Cleveland, OH
= WNBC-New York, Jonathan Dienst New York, NY
= WTVF-Nashville, Phil Williams; Bryan Staples Tennessee
= WITI-Milwaukee, Bob Segall and Diane Carbonara Wisconsin
= WKRC-Cincinnati, Jeff Hirsh and Jeff Barnhill Ohio
= WOAI-San Antonio (formerly KMOL), Joe Ellis; Brian Collister; Stephen Kline Texas

Newspapers:

=The Birmingham News, John Archibald, Jeff Hansen, Carla Crowder, Thomas Spencer and Marie Jones Birmingham, AL
=Dayton Daily News, Steve Bennish; Tom Beyerlein Dayton, OH
=The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer, Joseph Neff
=The Virginian-Pilot, Liz Szabo
=The Boston Globe, Walter V. Robinson, Matt Carroll, Sacha Pfeiffer, Michael Rezendes, Stephen Kurkjian, Michael Paulson, Kevin Cullen and Thomas Farragher
=Los Angeles Times, Alan C. Miller and Kevin Sack
=The Orange County Register, Scott M. Reid, Marla Jo Fisher and Natalya Shulyakovskaya - Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)
=The Miami Herald, Ronnie Greene and Joe Mozingo Florida
=The New York Times, David Cay Johnston N.Y.
=The Wall Street Journal, Ellen E. Schultz and Theo Francis
=The Fresno Bee, Mark Grossi; Barbara Anderson; Russell Clemings California
=Winston-Salem Journal, Kevin Begos; Danielle Deaver; John Railey and Scott Sexton North Carolina
=Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat, Gary Dotson, George Pawlaczyk and Beth Hundsdorfer Illinoios
=Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette, Eric Eyre and Scott Finn
=Springfield News Leader, Laura Bauer Missouri
=Tri-City Herald, Mike Lee - Tri-City Herald (Pasco, Wash.)
=The Village Voice, Tom Robbins New York City
=Atlanta Business Chronicle, Sarah Rubenstein and Walter Woods Georgia
=Dallas Observer, Thomas Korosec and Rose Farley Texas
=Northwest Explorer, Patrick Cavanaugh Tucson, AZ
= Chicago Sun-Times, Frank Main, Carlos Sadovi and Steve Warmbir Illinois
= Daytona Beach News-Journal, Patrick Wright Florida
= San Francisco Chronicle, Seth Rosenfeld California
= The Detroit News, Kimberly Hayes Taylor Michigan

You have been encouraged to contact a newspaper or television/radio station in your area that does investigative reporting. Unfortunately, not enough of you are doing that. YOU WILL SPEND LESS TIME DOING THIS THAN YOU DID WITH IPA!! AND THE VALUE TO OTHER BUSINESSES IN YOUR AREA WILL BE GREAT!! Here is some help to get you started. Much of this info came from ire.org/contest/past/02winners.html#largenews

I've listed city, television station, newspaper, AND the name of investigative reporters at those locations.

I hope this helps you get the word out. Call one of these media, ask for a specific reporter by name and tell your story. Or, find the media in your area go to the media's website and find contact info. If you need an additional reference for either yourself or the media you contact, take a look at this story published in the Miami Herald - miamiherald.com/business/story/319796.html

Television/Radio

=SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 received the "Station of the Year Award", Tuesday, March 11, at the 2007 Broadcast Excellence Awards, hosted by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB).
=Best Investigative Reporting 2nd place - Peter Daut & George Cervantes, KFOX-TV El Paso, TX
=Best Investigative Reporting honorable mention - Stephanie Valle, KVIA-TV El Paso, TX
=Roberta Baskin Director, I-Team/Investigative Reporter WJLA-TV Arlington, VA
=WTAE Channel 4 is the only television station to receive a medal. ... organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting worldwide Pittsburgh, PA
=KQED Public Broadcasting in the Bay Area, California
=KHOU-Houston, David Raziq, Anna Werner and Chris Henao Texas
= WFAA-Dallas, Brett Shipp; Mark Smith; Kraig Kirchem; David Duitch Texas
= WJW-Cleveland, Greg Easterly, Tom Merriman, Ron Mounts, Mark DeMarino, Dave Hollis and Tim Roskey Cleveland, OH
= WNBC-New York, Jonathan Dienst New York, NY
= WTVF-Nashville, Phil Williams; Bryan Staples Tennessee
= WITI-Milwaukee, Bob Segall and Diane Carbonara Wisconsin
= WKRC-Cincinnati, Jeff Hirsh and Jeff Barnhill Ohio
= WOAI-San Antonio (formerly KMOL), Joe Ellis; Brian Collister; Stephen Kline Texas

Newspapers:

=The Birmingham News, John Archibald, Jeff Hansen, Carla Crowder, Thomas Spencer and Marie Jones Birmingham, AL
=Dayton Daily News, Steve Bennish; Tom Beyerlein Dayton, OH
=The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer, Joseph Neff
=The Virginian-Pilot, Liz Szabo
=The Boston Globe, Walter V. Robinson, Matt Carroll, Sacha Pfeiffer, Michael Rezendes, Stephen Kurkjian, Michael Paulson, Kevin Cullen and Thomas Farragher
=Los Angeles Times, Alan C. Miller and Kevin Sack
=The Orange County Register, Scott M. Reid, Marla Jo Fisher and Natalya Shulyakovskaya - Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)
=The Miami Herald, Ronnie Greene and Joe Mozingo Florida
=The New York Times, David Cay Johnston N.Y.
=The Wall Street Journal, Ellen E. Schultz and Theo Francis
=The Fresno Bee, Mark Grossi; Barbara Anderson; Russell Clemings California
=Winston-Salem Journal, Kevin Begos; Danielle Deaver; John Railey and Scott Sexton North Carolina
=Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat, Gary Dotson, George Pawlaczyk and Beth Hundsdorfer Illinoios
=Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette, Eric Eyre and Scott Finn
=Springfield News Leader, Laura Bauer Missouri
=Tri-City Herald, Mike Lee - Tri-City Herald (Pasco, Wash.)
=The Village Voice, Tom Robbins New York City
=Atlanta Business Chronicle, Sarah Rubenstein and Walter Woods Georgia
=Dallas Observer, Thomas Korosec and Rose Farley Texas
=Northwest Explorer, Patrick Cavanaugh Tucson, AZ
= Chicago Sun-Times, Frank Main, Carlos Sadovi and Steve Warmbir Illinois
= Daytona Beach News-Journal, Patrick Wright Florida
= San Francisco Chronicle, Seth Rosenfeld California
= The Detroit News, Kimberly Hayes Taylor Michigan

You have been encouraged to contact a newspaper or television/radio station in your area that does investigative reporting. Unfortunately, not enough of you are doing that. YOU WILL SPEND LESS TIME DOING THIS THAN YOU DID WITH IPA!! AND THE VALUE TO OTHER BUSINESSES IN YOUR AREA WILL BE GREAT!! Here is some help to get you started. Much of this info came from ire.org/contest/past/02winners.html#largenews

I've listed city, television station, newspaper, AND the name of investigative reporters at those locations.

I hope this helps you get the word out. Call one of these media, ask for a specific reporter by name and tell your story. Or, find the media in your area go to the media's website and find contact info. If you need an additional reference for either yourself or the media you contact, take a look at this story published in the Miami Herald - miamiherald.com/business/story/319796.html

Television/Radio

=SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 received the "Station of the Year Award", Tuesday, March 11, at the 2007 Broadcast Excellence Awards, hosted by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB).
=Best Investigative Reporting 2nd place - Peter Daut & George Cervantes, KFOX-TV El Paso, TX
=Best Investigative Reporting honorable mention - Stephanie Valle, KVIA-TV El Paso, TX
=Roberta Baskin Director, I-Team/Investigative Reporter WJLA-TV Arlington, VA
=WTAE Channel 4 is the only television station to receive a medal. ... organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting worldwide Pittsburgh, PA
=KQED Public Broadcasting in the Bay Area, California
=KHOU-Houston, David Raziq, Anna Werner and Chris Henao Texas
= WFAA-Dallas, Brett Shipp; Mark Smith; Kraig Kirchem; David Duitch Texas
= WJW-Cleveland, Greg Easterly, Tom Merriman, Ron Mounts, Mark DeMarino, Dave Hollis and Tim Roskey Cleveland, OH
= WNBC-New York, Jonathan Dienst New York, NY
= WTVF-Nashville, Phil Williams; Bryan Staples Tennessee
= WITI-Milwaukee, Bob Segall and Diane Carbonara Wisconsin
= WKRC-Cincinnati, Jeff Hirsh and Jeff Barnhill Ohio
= WOAI-San Antonio (formerly KMOL), Joe Ellis; Brian Collister; Stephen Kline Texas

Newspapers:

=The Birmingham News, John Archibald, Jeff Hansen, Carla Crowder, Thomas Spencer and Marie Jones Birmingham, AL
=Dayton Daily News, Steve Bennish; Tom Beyerlein Dayton, OH
=The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer, Joseph Neff
=The Virginian-Pilot, Liz Szabo
=The Boston Globe, Walter V. Robinson, Matt Carroll, Sacha Pfeiffer, Michael Rezendes, Stephen Kurkjian, Michael Paulson, Kevin Cullen and Thomas Farragher
=Los Angeles Times, Alan C. Miller and Kevin Sack
=The Orange County Register, Scott M. Reid, Marla Jo Fisher and Natalya Shulyakovskaya - Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)
=The Miami Herald, Ronnie Greene and Joe Mozingo Florida
=The New York Times, David Cay Johnston N.Y.
=The Wall Street Journal, Ellen E. Schultz and Theo Francis
=The Fresno Bee, Mark Grossi; Barbara Anderson; Russell Clemings California
=Winston-Salem Journal, Kevin Begos; Danielle Deaver; John Railey and Scott Sexton North Carolina
=Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat, Gary Dotson, George Pawlaczyk and Beth Hundsdorfer Illinoios
=Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette, Eric Eyre and Scott Finn
=Springfield News Leader, Laura Bauer Missouri
=Tri-City Herald, Mike Lee - Tri-City Herald (Pasco, Wash.)
=The Village Voice, Tom Robbins New York City
=Atlanta Business Chronicle, Sarah Rubenstein and Walter Woods Georgia
=Dallas Observer, Thomas Korosec and Rose Farley Texas
=Northwest Explorer, Patrick Cavanaugh Tucson, AZ
= Chicago Sun-Times, Frank Main, Carlos Sadovi and Steve Warmbir Illinois
= Daytona Beach News-Journal, Patrick Wright Florida
= San Francisco Chronicle, Seth Rosenfeld California
= The Detroit News, Kimberly Hayes Taylor Michigan

I am a former employee of IPA-IBA I was hired as a consultant and worked my way up to a Sr. level project manager. I worked with hundreds of businesses all over the US and Canada I cannot speak for other consultants or managers but I can tell you that I truly cared about my clients, about their well-being and about the success of their business. (others did not share my dedication)

I helped everyone that put their trust in me and many of my clients are now close friends. I did NOT agree with some of IPA-IBA tactics, in fact, a lot of things the company did was questionable, but remember these things were done by individual employees and not the company as a whole.

Everyone that worked their was paid based on money collected by the consultants and because of that fact greed caused some employees and management to lose their interest in the clients well-being and only focused on billing hours. Money was how everyone was measured, hours billed, money collected, the more you billed the better jobs you got. It did not matter how much you help the client or how much money you made or saved the client only how much you collected.

I worked as hard as I could for the clients even on my own time back at the hotel room because I knew how much the client was paying for my time ($235 per hour plus expenses) although I only received a faction of what was collected and I struggled to make a decent living. I still took a lot of pride in what I did and enjoy helping owners and businesses succeed in business.

There were a lot of GOOD people that worked for IPA, in fact, I would have to say the good out weighed the bad. They had a name for bad consultants "Billing Blubber" and they were tolerated by upper management because they brought in billable hours.

I have many stories about my time with IPA both good and bad. Would I recommend IPA? Their are some really good people that work there but If I was in trouble and needed help with my business I may look else where. If you truly need help I would be glad to point the way. If you have question about them or want to know more just respond.

Dave
Former IPA Sr. Project Manager

John: you said and I quote "The reality is on average, those clients who are suing IPA finished LESS THAN 10% of the project".
I am one of the businesses that would like to get my money back from IPA. IPA spent 10 weeks at my bussiness and finished the project. All that IPA did was take my money and run. IPA took $110,000.00 from me when that money was supposed to pay my vendors. I had a vendor come into my store when the project manager was standing there wondering when he was going to get paid. I told the vendor he would have to wait, because that is what the project manager told me to say. But IPA got there check every Friday. IPA is gone and I am trying to find a way to pay my vendors.
Willy

First, to Gmail, the only deletion from your post here was your reference to the owner of Rippoff Report. Gee, any surprise? This is about IPA not Rippoff Report.

Next, yes it is true that frequent renters get multiple upgrades from car rental agencies. For an analyst to show up in a "nifty" car is one thing. No big deal. However, for a consultant to show up in such a car is stupid. The only saving grace is for the consultant to quickly explain the upgrade situation to the client and that the client is only being billing for the lower rate of something like an intermediate.

The person who said that things changed after 2004 is totally wrong. NOTHING CHANGED. Do you get it? John does not want it to change. The only thing that matters is the dollar - to him!

These claims, these stories from clients and employees are not false. It is all real. IPA is good - good at training each department to deceive the potential client or client that they are the only saving grace on the face of the earth. WRONG! There is nothing that IPA purports that cannot be easily found by doing a search on the internet. In fact, much that IPA provides the client is just downloads and copies (or copies of copies) of internet info.

For goodness sake, small business owner, if you want to blow your money, go to the race track or the casino. You will have a heck of a lot more fun. And, perhaps if you happen to sit next to another business owner, may learn more than IPA can begin to teach you.

Don't be a dufus! Don't let IPA in. Use the internet. Talk to fellow business owners. Don't be ashamed to say, "Hey, I have a problem in this area. You have any ideas how I can solve that." Solutions are often geographical. Meaning that what will work in Mississippi won't work in Washington state.

Get smart, small business owners, find a coach in your area who can really help you. Action Coaches (hint) are available throughout the US and they won't deceive you, won't charge you an arm and a leg, and will definitely provide you more input than IPA.

Remember that IPA does NOT really implement the change. Oh, you thought they did? Think again. They tell you what needs to be done. Yes, I am talking about the consultants (not the analysts). You are expected to implement and continue whatever they suggest.

Again, don't be a dufus. All the comments about IPA deceit are real. I know. I was with them for way too long.

Actually, John, I didn't let them work for two weeks. They were in and out in one hour without actually doing anything but taking some paperwork, which I doubt they threw in the trash before they got on the plane, and my check. They did leave on thier own free will as they were at the time still in business with me. Then, I educated myself with many stories from real people here and decided to opt out of the services. As for how a company could stay in business for so long if they are no good, let's call it the stick and move approach. There are so many targets that you can stay in perpetuallity without having to hit the same one twice. Bad business owners can survive for a long time this way.

Also, another local professional individual capable of doing the same services as IPA states that the amount of work that was to be done should take a few days, a week tops. Why would your goons take 4 weeks? Oh yeah, they bill in multiples and by the hour. I don't have to file and complain or contact the bonder, I won, I didn't lose any money, and gee, I'm still sucessfully in business.
"Nemo Me Impune Lacessit"

Nope, that's not me.

OK, let's discuss the RICO - Class Action Suit against IPA et al.

The courts do not like civil RICO cases because there is almost no way of proving wrong doing.

What a RICO case means is, that one party, lies / persuades the other party to pay for a product or services, that they never intended to provide.

OK, now that is absurd... First, the sales department signs an agreement with the client for an analyst to show up and do an analysis. Obviously there is no RICO if the analyst showed up, did financials, analyzed the business's operations, etc. Whether or not you agree with the work that was performed, has no merit in whether he was analyzing.

Next Consulting Services agreements, First a Value Enhancement Program is developed. And you receive it, reports are generated, and you receive them. Operations are adjusted, Breakeven performances are measured.... and again, whether you agree or disagree, work was performed.

So you see, there is no RICO. Also, The attorney's are stalling, we have tried to proceed with depositions, and the plaintiffs said they do not want to produce a witness list.

What you may have is a perceived issue with the product. But then again, I'm sure that the list of people who are suing IPA finished the project.... Wait, no they didn't.

The reality is on average, those clients who are suing IPA finished LESS THAN 10% of the project.

did you see that? LESS THAN 10% OF THE PROJECT.

So, how is it that they expect consultants to fix something they have had years to screw up, in less than 10% of the project time.

You may hate IPA for your perception of what transpired, but there are thousands and thousands of people who IPA has positively transformed there lives.

JOHN

Hey John.
Your last name wouldn't be ANAST would it.

If it is, I have met you. You are a smooth talker, but deep down, full of BS.
You're the same as everyone else at IPA/IBA. It's all about the almighty
dollar. You guys don't give a crap about helping us small business owners.
You just want to line your pockets with our hard earned money.

How much is Burgess paying you to track this website?

Are you blind? Try reading the Class Action Law Suit against IPA, Burgess, Steinberg, Sweet, Owen, T. Burgess, etc.

But who knows, you might be Burgess himself. Starting to panic that you might
finally be shut down and headed to prison where you belong.

I hope you all go to prison, then you can come up with the next SCAM of the century.

Hey John.
Your last name wouldn't be ANAST would it.

If it is, I have met you. You are a smooth talker, but deep down, full of BS.
You're the same as everyone else at IPA/IBA. It's all about the almighty
dollar. You guys don't give a crap about helping us small business owners.
You just want to line your pockets with our hard earned money.

How much is Burgess paying you to track this website?

Are you blind? Try reading the Class Action Law Suit against IPA, Burgess, Steinberg, Sweet, Owen, T. Burgess, etc.

But who knows, you might be Burgess himself. Starting to panic that you might
finally be shut down and headed to prison where you belong.

I hope you all go to prison, then you can come up with the next SCAM of the century.

Hey John.
Your last name wouldn't be ANAST would it.

If it is, I have met you. You are a smooth talker, but deep down, full of BS.
You're the same as everyone else at IPA/IBA. It's all about the almighty
dollar. You guys don't give a crap about helping us small business owners.
You just want to line your pockets with our hard earned money.

How much is Burgess paying you to track this website?

Are you blind? Try reading the Class Action Law Suit against IPA, Burgess, Steinberg, Sweet, Owen, T. Burgess, etc.

But who knows, you might be Burgess himself. Starting to panic that you might
finally be shut down and headed to prison where you belong.

I hope you all go to prison, then you can come up with the next SCAM of the century.

I am currently an analyst at IPA, I have been employed with the firm for more than 2 years now. I have seen the countless lives that have been improved by our services, I have had many business owners break down in tears and thank me for helping them.

I receive calls from clients after myself and our consultants leave, and they are amazed at what IPA has done for them.

IPA - is, and always will be the top provider of tax and management consulting to small businesses throughout the US and Canada.

If you do not believe that the company is a legitimate firm, looks us up on Crain's, or SmartBusiness, or any other company that ranks firms based on size.

There are plenty of published articles on www.ipa-iba.com in the press area.

Now, in response:

First, Rob, I have never met anyone in the firm (and this isn't to say that it isn't possible) who didn't truely want the best for their clients. If you feel slighted, and do not believe that you received any value at all for the services IPA provided, call the company and ask for client services, we will address the issues at hand, and work on the best way to fix them.

Now, they also said it was going to take 4 weeks to do the job, you kicked the consultants out after 2 weeks.... So let's all do the math, at 50% complete, you expected miracles to happen.... 50% is a failing grade in high school, how could you expect 50% of anything to deliver the full scope?

I personally would be willing to review what was done and update some of it (within reason).

Next, as to the "sensitive payroll records" (or however it was worded)... exactly what do you think is going to be done with those? First, if the analyst was provided with them, you should have made copies, not given original records. Second, if the analyst asked for them, it was to review seasonal changes in payroll requirements, as well as turnover and overtime that affected the business.... Nothing else of any substance can possibly be gained from that.

Come on people, use you're heads, what possible conspiracy are you trying to come up with? IPA is going to steal their social security numbers and ruin their credit? I mean, seriously... are you all that idiotic? If the analyst did bring a copy (or even the original that was provided) it was promptly destroyed... Do you think we have room to carry thousands of sheets of paper we "steal" from clients in our baggage while we fly?

Next, IPA is a company built on performance. If you "seasoned outside sales" people were so good, you'd be making a minimum of 100,000 at IPA. If you were so good, why didn't you have a job? And as for the "former business owners" turned outside salesmen, how good could they possibly have been if they no longer owned the business?

Feel free to bash the company, you are all misguided, and have unrealistic expectations. IPA has a 2 Million Dollar - Commercial Crime Insurance which bonds every single employee to ethical standards. It is rated at an A++ (the best rate you can get) It covers: lying, theft, confidentiality and fraud.... If IPA is so terrible, why is this bond still an A++? And more importantly, if you all have been so slighted by IPA, why haven't you called the firm to complain? or filed a claim with the bonding agency?

YOU ARE TYPICAL CLIENTS - FULL OF EXCUSES, WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS. YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF ACCEPTING ANY RESPONSIBILITY, AND BLAME THE WORLD FOR WHERE YOU ARE IN LIFE.

WILD GUESS, YOU'RE BUSINESS IS IN TROUBLE BECAUSE OF 9/11? OR WAS IT YOUR STUPID EMPLOYEES FAULT? OR MAYBE THE ECONOMY, OR A VENDOR? SOMEONE DIDN'T PAY YOU?

JOHN

Did you work for IPA? Did you have an IPA analyst come into your business? Have you had anyone from IPA call you about their services? Have you ever owned a small business? If not, then you are hardly qualified to offer comments on this web site. Yes, I am sure that there are some good and experienced business analysts employed for IPA and that they do an excellent job. However it is my belief that those are in the minority.

Turnover at IPA is very high. I was in a training class earlier this year where 14 of us had completed the training. Within four months all of us had left IPA - that is a 100% turnover rate in four months. Everyone who was in that training class had been in outside sales for a long time and some had even owned businesses so we weren't just some naive young people hoodwinked by a slick recruiter.

IPA is a privately held company not subject to the reporting and auditing requirements of a publically traded corporation. Based on my experiences with that company, I seriously doubt their claims of being a 250 million dollar company. I also seriously doubt that this company will remain in business much longer since the buzzards are circling. Go the website www.ipalawsuit.com and read the documents posted there.

IPA is also under investigation by the state attorneys general in both Illinois and Wisconsin. Prior to the discoverry of the shenanigans by their top executives, Enron was regarded as a fine and very profitable company. Yet they collapsed like a house of cards as soon as those shenanigans came to light. The same will happen with IPA. It is my prediction that IPA will be out of business within a year or two.

My morning coffee has cream and sugar-I'm one of those that like the cream and sugar more than the actual coffee flavor-think Coffee Ice-Cream.

Anyway, I posted my actual response, on my blog, and surprise, surprise, yes, our responses are edited by this site. As an analyst, you clearly had a horrible experience, as did the others in your training class-tell me, when were you employed by IPA? What years? I'm curious just because much of this controversy seemed to disappear after 2004, only to be mucked up again with the pending lawsuit filed by Small Business owners recently.

I only ask, how can a business remain in business for as long as IPA if they did not provide a credible, valuable service? Logically, it just doesn't make sense to me. In the world of Corporate America, where everyone's a number, I'm surprise you're not making additional inflammatory remarks about the waste, idiocy, and inefficiencies, which happen to be a better system than our current Federal government?

As far as the payroll records statement, etc. need I remind you, it's the analysts that took the material, not IPA, and I believe you should be chastising them, not the company for their thoughtless actions.

I've found lies are rampant in today's world-even your best friend will not completely tell the exact details verbatim, as stated-instead, a version of what actually happens is told-come on! You're an internet surfer, I'm sure you've seen countless viewpoints about experiences, and that's just in Wikipedia!

My apologies for your unfortunate experience, but let me ask you, when you weren't paid, what measures did you take, with the company, besides litigation to collect? Do you have substantiated proof your projects ran? OR were you one of the analysts that took payroll records, maybe promised the business owners undeliverable results?

I'm fascinated by this topic-as with many observations in life-the hypocrisy especially. I appreciate all the perspectives as they allow me and others to form our own paradigms based on the knowledge of others-

"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants. Isaac Newton

I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people.
Isaac Newton

"Plato is my friend, Aristotle is my friend, but greatest friend is TRUTH" Isaac Newton

Yours Truly,

(((ROR REDACTED)))

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Gmail,

I am sure after reading many of the posts on numerous companies on this website, you have concluded that most posts are just whiners that incurred their own misfortune. I completely agree. However, in the case of IPA, most all of the complaints have merit. IPA is a scam from the recruiting, to the training, to the misrepresentation by the analysts in the field ( I know, I was an analyst for a short period of time there) to the consultants to the owner (disbarred attorney John Burgess, for soliciting prostition from a minor) to how they pay their employees.

To "gmail", are you for real? What did you put in your morning coffee? For every business or ex employee that goes to the trouble to post on this site, there are probably at least five others that either are unaware of this site or simply want to move on. I worked briefly for IPA and from what I observed in the field and heard from other employees, these stories posted are true and not exagerated.

Within my first month in the field, I encountered two seperate businesses that told me that an analyst from IPA made off with their payroll records. Neither business has posted on this report and one told me that they were going to court to recover their payroll records. Payroll records contain confidential sensitive information on the employees and not only is that theft of business property, but it also violates several state and federal privacy laws.

I am also going to court to over a commission that I earned on a sale but IPA has refused to pay since I left the company after the project "ran". They use an antiquated payroll system that delays commission payments three to four weeks in some instances. Not paying employees (yes, we are w-2 employees) money that they have earned is also a violation of state and federal wage and hour laws.

This is a company that sits on a pile of BS. They lie to their employees. They lie to their clients. They lie to their prospects. In fact I don't think this company would recognize the truth if it bit them in the butt. I was in a training class with 13 others and within four months after completing the training, all 14 of us had left the company. Trust me - this company needs to be put out of business and John Burgess should go to prison.

To "gmail", are you for real? What did you put in your morning coffee? For every business or ex employee that goes to the trouble to post on this site, there are probably at least five others that either are unaware of this site or simply want to move on. I worked briefly for IPA and from what I observed in the field and heard from other employees, these stories posted are true and not exagerated.

Within my first month in the field, I encountered two seperate businesses that told me that an analyst from IPA made off with their payroll records. Neither business has posted on this report and one told me that they were going to court to recover their payroll records. Payroll records contain confidential sensitive information on the employees and not only is that theft of business property, but it also violates several state and federal privacy laws.

I am also going to court to over a commission that I earned on a sale but IPA has refused to pay since I left the company after the project "ran". They use an antiquated payroll system that delays commission payments three to four weeks in some instances. Not paying employees (yes, we are w-2 employees) money that they have earned is also a violation of state and federal wage and hour laws.

This is a company that sits on a pile of BS. They lie to their employees. They lie to their clients. They lie to their prospects. In fact I don't think this company would recognize the truth if it bit them in the butt. I was in a training class with 13 others and within four months after completing the training, all 14 of us had left the company. Trust me - this company needs to be put out of business and John Burgess should go to prison.

To "gmail", are you for real? What did you put in your morning coffee? For every business or ex employee that goes to the trouble to post on this site, there are probably at least five others that either are unaware of this site or simply want to move on. I worked briefly for IPA and from what I observed in the field and heard from other employees, these stories posted are true and not exagerated.

Within my first month in the field, I encountered two seperate businesses that told me that an analyst from IPA made off with their payroll records. Neither business has posted on this report and one told me that they were going to court to recover their payroll records. Payroll records contain confidential sensitive information on the employees and not only is that theft of business property, but it also violates several state and federal privacy laws.

I am also going to court to over a commission that I earned on a sale but IPA has refused to pay since I left the company after the project "ran". They use an antiquated payroll system that delays commission payments three to four weeks in some instances. Not paying employees (yes, we are w-2 employees) money that they have earned is also a violation of state and federal wage and hour laws.

This is a company that sits on a pile of BS. They lie to their employees. They lie to their clients. They lie to their prospects. In fact I don't think this company would recognize the truth if it bit them in the butt. I was in a training class with 13 others and within four months after completing the training, all 14 of us had left the company. Trust me - this company needs to be put out of business and John Burgess should go to prison.

To "gmail", are you for real? What did you put in your morning coffee? For every business or ex employee that goes to the trouble to post on this site, there are probably at least five others that either are unaware of this site or simply want to move on. I worked briefly for IPA and from what I observed in the field and heard from other employees, these stories posted are true and not exagerated.

Within my first month in the field, I encountered two seperate businesses that told me that an analyst from IPA made off with their payroll records. Neither business has posted on this report and one told me that they were going to court to recover their payroll records. Payroll records contain confidential sensitive information on the employees and not only is that theft of business property, but it also violates several state and federal privacy laws.

I am also going to court to over a commission that I earned on a sale but IPA has refused to pay since I left the company after the project "ran". They use an antiquated payroll system that delays commission payments three to four weeks in some instances. Not paying employees (yes, we are w-2 employees) money that they have earned is also a violation of state and federal wage and hour laws.

This is a company that sits on a pile of BS. They lie to their employees. They lie to their clients. They lie to their prospects. In fact I don't think this company would recognize the truth if it bit them in the butt. I was in a training class with 13 others and within four months after completing the training, all 14 of us had left the company. Trust me - this company needs to be put out of business and John Burgess should go to prison.

In all incidents, there are two sides to a story and I find it appalling to read multiple articles about this company with very vague facts. All companies have their flaws and the people that work within the company truly determines the credibility. As I am writing this comment, I am also saving a copy on my computer to ensure the exact words written are posted on this site. I'm a blogger so I can easily post the exact words on my site-geekiegirl29.blogspot.com.

So far, after reading the various posts, names of people who "supposedly" work for the company are inaccurate and I'm not sure if anyone knows, but the owner of this site repeatedly posts fictional data in an effort to extort money from respectable, reputable companies. No one likes to change or look in the mirror to accept responsibility for their actions. It's easy to blame others for one's own faults.

Extortion, unfortunately, due to lack of internet regulation, is not an offense one can sue although defamation is still prevalent in today's courts. Mike, as I believe that's your name, why not make an honest living and stop trying to prey on businesses that have made it. Is your dirty laundry out in the open for all to see-or tell me, you must be on of the "saints" left on this planet without ever telling a lie or making a mistake.

Some people make bigger mistakes than others, and those are the risk-takers-and more often than not, our large corporation CEO's, politicians, and world leaders as they have the perspective that the masses do not enjoy for they are shrouded in fear-the fear to change.

How is trying to assist Small Business owners with profitability and actually changing their day-day habits, digging bigger holes, such an unworthy cause? The definition of insanity is continually doing the same action over an over again, yet expecting a different outcome. Consulting is not magic, and just because the larger companies have a more powerful lawyer defense, with billions of dollars to crush small sites like yourself, does not make them right, nor IPA right.

If cost is the only issue and money is the only driver behind all of these complaints, maybe the RIPOFF report should take a look in the mirror and ask themselves how are they truly enabling others-adding to the insanity in today's world? Sure, tell people change is bad-that's how the disparity of wealth began in the World to begin with. For those reading this site, looking for a scapegoat, an answer to their mistakes, ask yourself, why am I so embittered. Is it because Life didn't meet your expectations? Who established those expectations to begin with? YOU or others? If it's others, then let me give you a rude awakening-You're in control and setting yourself up for disappointment.

Have a nice Holiday!

PS. Rental Car Companies regularly have deals-walk up deals at that! Consider renting a small SUV for 26.99 which is what I got to do in San Antonio two weeks ago. The economy car price happened to be 43.99. If you'd like some travel tips, check out my website at http://geekiegirl29.blogspot.com.

Sounds like H. Anderson could be an employee of IPA.
Showing up in a Hummer (or any other premium vehicle) and scamming small businesses sounds typical of IPA.
These guys are scum. Why can't anyone put these guys out of business.
These idiots are stealing from people that are the base of this country.

Sounds like H. Anderson could be an employee of IPA.
Showing up in a Hummer (or any other premium vehicle) and scamming small businesses sounds typical of IPA.
These guys are scum. Why can't anyone put these guys out of business.
These idiots are stealing from people that are the base of this country.

Sounds like H. Anderson could be an employee of IPA.
Showing up in a Hummer (or any other premium vehicle) and scamming small businesses sounds typical of IPA.
These guys are scum. Why can't anyone put these guys out of business.
These idiots are stealing from people that are the base of this country.

Sounds like H. Anderson could be an employee of IPA.
Showing up in a Hummer (or any other premium vehicle) and scamming small businesses sounds typical of IPA.
These guys are scum. Why can't anyone put these guys out of business.
These idiots are stealing from people that are the base of this country.

Rob,
One thing to keep in mind is that most consultants (like all "Road Warriors") utilize rental cars extensively. Due to their high volume usage, the rental car companies give them triple upgrades.........their rental car (the Hummer) probably cost them less to rent than it would fro you to rent a compact. This is no necessarily in defense of them........ but an explanation of how the rental car companies reward their "high usage" customers (same as if the airline companies upgrade frequent fliers to 1st class).

Rob,
One thing to keep in mind is that most consultants (like all "Road Warriors") utilize rental cars extensively. Due to their high volume usage, the rental car companies give them triple upgrades.........their rental car (the Hummer) probably cost them less to rent than it would fro you to rent a compact. This is no necessarily in defense of them........ but an explanation of how the rental car companies reward their "high usage" customers (same as if the airline companies upgrade frequent fliers to 1st class).

Rob,
One thing to keep in mind is that most consultants (like all "Road Warriors") utilize rental cars extensively. Due to their high volume usage, the rental car companies give them triple upgrades.........their rental car (the Hummer) probably cost them less to rent than it would fro you to rent a compact. This is no necessarily in defense of them........ but an explanation of how the rental car companies reward their "high usage" customers (same as if the airline companies upgrade frequent fliers to 1st class).

Rob,
One thing to keep in mind is that most consultants (like all "Road Warriors") utilize rental cars extensively. Due to their high volume usage, the rental car companies give them triple upgrades.........their rental car (the Hummer) probably cost them less to rent than it would fro you to rent a compact. This is no necessarily in defense of them........ but an explanation of how the rental car companies reward their "high usage" customers (same as if the airline companies upgrade frequent fliers to 1st class).