Most accountants only show up at tax time, which means you have a tax filer, not an accountant. A real one monitors your business year-round, suggests tax strategies before December, and answers your questions without treating you like a burden.
If the only time you hear from your accountant is when your taxes are due, you don't have an accountant. You have a tax filer. And that might be fine for some people. But if you run a business, you're probably missing the help that actually helps you make money. Here's the thing. Most accountants are good people doing honest work. Problem usually isn't the person, it's the service you've signed up for. There's a big difference between someone who files your paperwork and someone who helps you run your business better. So today I'm going to walk you through the most common frustrations business owners have with their accountant, and then tell you what a strong accounting relationship should look like. Someone who's looking at your business all year long. Someone who reaches out in the fall and says, here's where you're headed, and here's what you should do before December 31st. Tax savings are planned ahead of time, and you can't plan backwards. You can't get ahold of them? You send an email with a simple question, a week or two goes by, and then two, and then three, Meanwhile, you're stuck because you needed that answer to make a decision. That's not just annoying, but it costs you money and time. A strong accounting relationship means you know when you'll hear back, and you actually do. Your questions are part of the job, not a bother.
