How To Be Special to Your Accountant

Want to be special to your accountant? Follow these instructions.

  1. Be Prepared - this means bring anything that you think might be relevant to the situation at hand. The client who shows up with a list of relevant questions, documents to that may be helpful and adequate time gets brownie points. If you know you don't have everything you know we will need organized, then don't make an appointment or assume we can fill it in or figure it out later.  If you thought you should have "it", I can pretty much guarantee that was a good thought - so have it ready.  I do not have a crystal ball and I did not live your life!

  2. Be Timely - taxes have deadlines. The client who plans ahead and gets in early during tax season or forwards any notices or correspondence immediately upon receipt is rewarded with a much less stressful experience. As the saying goes, "Your lack of preparation does not make this my emergency". 

  3. Provide complete responses – not partial answers.  If we send you an email requesting numerous additional documents or outlining missing information please respond in full within 5 business days.  Partial responses will not move your return forward, but they will create unnecessary additional correspondence, time and billings.  Taxes are tedious enough – let’s work together to get them done efficiently!

  4. Use the secure portal appropriately. We take identity protection very seriously and you will have a secure portal for exchanging sensitive data which includes your SSN, DOB or any account numbers.  Please use your portal for scanned financial documents but don’t clutter it with “normal” communication which can go through standard email services.

  5. Be Patient. You and your return are important to us and we have great systems in place to make sure nothing is forgotten or overlooked.  We want to attend to your questions, requests and return as soon as possible.  However, especially during busy season, we have to systematically process physical files being received, digital documents coming into the portal, email and phone calls.  We know that multitasking isn’t dependable or efficient so we rotate through new information and requests to respond and follow up on them in turn.  We will do our best to acknowledge your needs within 1 or 2 business days, but there are surge times that may delay our response a little bit.  Please trust us and our systems.  But, if you haven’t heard from us within 3 business days please feel free to check in if you are worried. We want you to feel safe and confident.

  6. Don’t assume – anything. You know what they say about assumptions, right?  Please remember we are not telepathic and we don’t have a crystal ball. What is “normal” for one person is “odd” for another.  We do our best to know our clients, but this often takes a little bit of time. In the meantime we count on you to be open and communicative until we are all on the same page about what is normal for you.

  7. Please provide feedback. Every year we make changes to try to improve our services. Some changes you will see and others will be behind the scenes.  If you have a suggestion please share it. You know what could make your experience with us better, so please tell us!