Not every accountant is the same nor does every accounting firm treat their clients the same way.  In this article we outline some of the more common complaints against accountants.

1) My accountant just doesn't treat me right. I find out at the last minute that I have a huge balance due on my tax return, even though I got my information to them early.  Seems like I’m just not important to them.  It’s so stressful.

2) My accountant ignores me.  They don't return my telephone calls, and I can't get a meeting with them.  When I have a problem or an opportunity I need to get advice, immediately!  I’m forced to act without the advice I need or I’ll kiss the opportunity good-bye.

3) My accountant fails to cooperate with me. I ask questions looking for solutions, but all I hear is “no you can't do that.”  I'd like to hear some alternatives, some ways that I can do this. I’m looking for ingenious strategies, that’s why I hired a CPA!

4) My accountant doesn't keep me informed. The economy changes, the tax rules change, and business opportunities vary, I need to know about them. Why am I always left in the dark?

5) My accountant assumes that I know everything they know. I don't have their training or experience and I’m not sure why they think I know the lingo of the accounting profession.  Why can’t they speak in plain, non-technical language?

6) My accountant is always late.  It's like they don't have time for me.  I send in my information and sit and wait and wait.  They don't even let me know the status.  I placed my faith in them and they let me down.

7) My accountant never asks me any questions. They just take my information and make a tax return.  There must be some additional tax deductions that I can take advantage of, or some planning opportunities that will save me money, but they just won't talk to me.  It’s like I don’t matter.

8) When I call with a quick question, I get slammed with a big bill.  Maybe I could live with that... if I received some useful advice, which I don’t usually get.  Sometimes I’m afraid to pick up the phone and call.  Why throw my hard earned dollars away?

9) My accountant charges me for every little thing including travelling to my office.  I hate getting nickeled and dimed.

10) My accountant never “visits” me in my office.  I may see one of his staff for regular work, but the partner never visits to see how my business is doing.  I must be too small for his attention.

11) My accountant was handed down to me by my father, but we have never really established a relationship.  I feel I need someone of my own choosing.

12) My accountant has a small company and I worry what would happen to me if he got hit by a bus or decided to retire with little notice.

13) I feel that my company has outgrown the skills and resources of my accountant, but loyalty keeps me with him at the sacrifice of my business and the advice it receives.  I’m torn on what to do.

14) My accounting firm uses my business to train its newest people.  Each year I have to waste my time to train a new group of staff about my business.  If I get a good accountant, they get transferred to a larger and more important client.