CSI Accounting & Payroll has worked with small businesses for nearly 60 years, which is much longer than most accounting firms! We've found long-term success by hiring accountants who care deeply about client success and have excellent interpersonal skills.
Why do we say that? Because accountants aren’t known for their customer service skills. Most would rather deal with numbers than people, but since you confide almost everything about your business to them, they need to be someone you trust.
So, how reliable is your accounting service? Here are nine of the most common problems businesses have with accountants. While each point may not be a dealbreaker for you, you should consider switching providers if several apply to your accountant.
1. My accountant is always late.
Depending on the type of accounting service you use, you may not get to meet with your accountant very often. Plus, most accounting solutions charge you by the minute for their time.
So, how are you supposed to feel when they're consistently late? Probably pushed off, unimportant, and neglected. Accounting isn't anyone's favorite thing to talk about, so when you're showing more effort in this realm than your accountant, that's a major red flag.
2. I can never reach them by phone or email.
If your accountant is late for your meetings and you can't reach them outside of meetings, the pain here is doubled. When do you get enough time to discuss your questions and concerns?
A quality accountant knows that if you reach out with questions about decisions, their job is actually easier. Guiding you in the right direction year-round makes for a much easier tax season and a much better potential for growth. The best accounting services will get back to you quickly and at no extra fee when you reach out via email, phone, or even text.
3. They don't listen or understand my business.
Accounting is more than number crunching; it's guidance. If your accountant isn't willing to listen or steer the conversation toward understanding your current situation, then they're not right for you.
There's also a difference between not caring enough to understand and simply failing to understand. If your accountant is confused by your business practices, finances, or industry, you should find a different accountant who has the experience to help you.
4. They charge too much for what they provide.
When it comes to accounting, the question isn't the price – it's whether you're ready for a higher level of accounting, plus whether your accounting solution is providing enough value at its cost.
If you can't afford an in-house accountant, you may want to consider an outsourced monthly accounting service. If you can't afford an outsourced monthly accounting service, you may want to handle your own bookkeeping and just work with an annual tax accountant. However, each of these solutions offers a different level of value as well, so make sure the price and value are aligned.
5. I don’t understand their financial advice.
This point is missed a lot. We've all met someone who uses larger words than necessary to sound more intelligent, but true intelligence is being able to code switch and speak to your audience.
The stakes are high. Don't glaze over terms that you don't understand; ask for clarification or find an accountant who speaks your language. Arrogance is the last thing you want from a professional.
6. They are too busy and inaccessible.
Your accountant says you can reach out as much as you want! However, you reach an inbox or voicemail every time. If you hear back at all, it's rarely within a couple of days. Sometimes you don't even get confirmation that they received your message.
Some things are time-sensitive and can't wait for guidance. Partner with an accountant who either answers immediately or reaches out within a day to say they're working on a solution.
7. I am too small for their accounting firm.
Finding the right accountant can be tricky. Many accountants open their doors to anybody – even individuals who just want personal tax work done – and their lack of client specialty bogs them down. Then, if you're lucky enough to find an accountant who specializes in businesses, they're often incentivized to prioritize the big guys (who pay them more) over your business.
It's rare to find an accounting service that only works with small businesses, but it's worth it.
8. I don’t actually know what they do for me.
This can be a combination of confusing language and not providing enough value for the price. You may not understand accounting, but if you're paying for a service above basic bookkeeping and annual tax filing, you should have an understanding of any service they provide beyond the numbers that are documented on paper.
9. I think my accountant should do more.
If you feel that your accountant should be doing more, then you either don't think that they provide enough value for the price, they don't respond to your questions or concerns, or you're unsure of what they actually provide.
Regardless, this is something you should mention to your accountant. Ask for the service you want, and if they're dismissive or say they can't offer what you're looking for, then it's time to move on.
Work With a Reliable Accountant!
If more than one of the points above apply to your accountant, then you likely can’t rely on them. You pay them to be your guide, so you should be able to get expert advice when you need it.
The only way around being neglected is to partner with a reliable accountant. Even if you’ve worked with the same one for years, you shouldn’t put up with poor service and a lack of transparency.
To propel your business toward future success and growth, you need an accountant truly committed to meeting your needs. Many small businesses find this in monthly accountants – like CSI Accounting & Payroll. For a free call and quote, please click the button below:
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