A recent survey showed that only 28.7% of small business owners were happy with their accountant, and only half of those would recommend him to their friends because he was too busy already.
The following are the most common reasons small business owners give for their dissatisfaction. Do any apply to you?
1. The accountant in charge is not accessible and never returns phone calls. In the early stages he couldn't do enough. He used to come out to the factory at least once a year to have a look. Now he seems to have time only for the big fellows. It seems I'm too small for him to be bothered with.
2. I am forever being foisted onto less senior staff who just do not know the answers. They have to research the matter or get hold of someone more knowledgeable It means delays and wasted time that I am being billed for.
3. The change over in staff is frustrating. I have a complex structure and I have to explain it anew every time I visit. It would be lovely to build up a relationship with someone permanently. (or at least for two years in a row).
4. I deliver my work in plenty of time but the accountant sits on it like a clucky hen for months. Sometimes I receive fines from the Tax Office which are not my fault. My accountant reimburses me if I kick up a stink about it, but I am afraid I am building a bad reputation with the tax people.
5. Even though the work has been in his office in loads of time, the completion always seems to be hurried. Work is sent to me with errors. Surely this isn't right? Now, I insist on seeing the work in draft form first, and I am able to pick up most of the errors
6. He charges for everything. I rang him to point out a mistake his firm had made in my account and he charged me $35 for fixing it.
7. The fee he charges is out of all proportion to the service he gives! The fee goes up each year while his service gets poorer. I don't mind paying the appropriate fee but he charges like a wounded bull.
These are the perceptions only from disgruntled clients and may be colored by many things. They may be even untrue! I am sure that the accountant would tell another story, but?
Before you engage an accountant or even in dealing with your presentaccountant you should clarify his terms of engagement. You wouldn't go to a mechanic and say, "Fix my car. Do whatever you think is appropriate. Never mind the cost just send me the bill."
Nor should you with your accountant. Your accountant may be performing a service you don't need and don't use. How will he know if you don't tell him?
On the other hand, there may be a service you really do need which he is not doing. Ask him to give you an estimate. Don't be put off with,"It's a bit hard to estimate I charge an hourly fee".
Once his tasks for the year are nailed down why shouldn't he have an idea of how long each task takes.
The charge out rate for each employee may range from $35 to $200 dollars per hour according to the skill and experience of the employee. The Accountant should be able to estimate the fee using the rate for the appropriate employee. If during the year a specialist just happens to do some data entry over the weekend to get the task finished you shouldn't have to pay his rates.
The most important attribute of a good accountant is his ability to act as your confidante. You should be able to tell him anything.
You won't be able to if each time you are in his office you are worried about the fee he is going to charge for the visit.
Kelvyn Peters and Associates
http://www.profitstrategies4business.com
About the Author
Kelvyn Peters is one of Australia's longest serving Tax Agents. Kelvyn was registered in February 1962 and became a CPA in September 1964.
Kelvyn has served on many not-for-profit and charitable boards including St Aubyns Private Hospital, Alzheimer's Association, Older Peoples Advocacy Service and the Golden Years Center.
As a young man he won the Outstanding Jaycee Award three year's in a row. Kelvyn is a generous and kind man who loves helping people. Kelvyn feels their pain.
Kelvyn Peters was Mayor of Kingaroy Shire Council from 1977 to 1983 and campaigned as the 'Young Man of Action"
Over 20 years later he still regards himself as a 'Young Man of Action'.
He is a director of Restaurant Catering Qld Inc the peak employer representative in Queensland, and has advised the hospitality industry for many years.
His specialty is moving in to rescue an ailing business.
Kelvyn Peters CPA has spent over 20 years experimenting and researching methods to help small business in meaningful ways that are affordable.
cleaning help near Mundelein ..1. Have A Strong Constitution ? Justices deliver decisions by... Read More
Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More
Many of us have noticed how some nearby communities seem... Read More
Are you -- like 70 percent of small business owners... Read More
When you awoke this morning, you found yourself buzzing with... Read More
What are the best methods for keeping a good business... Read More
Remember the training programs, seminars, and workshops you had to... Read More
You've been meaning to tend to the administration part of... Read More
If you run a pressure washer business you need complete... Read More
If you're an entrepreneur responsible for your own small business... Read More
Many businesses offer small business franchise opportunities. There are many... Read More
If a customer owes your local business money, it's hard... Read More
Your grandfather probably told you to "learn something new everyday".... Read More
It behooves every professional mobile auto detailer to stay up... Read More
If you own a mobile service or home based franchise... Read More
Do you operate your business as a series of projects,... Read More
A Mattress Cleaning Business might be just for you if... Read More
1. Know Where You're Going ? Coach Herb Brooks had... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
In a perfect world, starting a small business would be... Read More
Every business starts with an idea or a dream. To... Read More
Why does consistency in the message have an effect on... Read More
I've got good news and bad news. The good news... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --An effective and compelling... Read More
We all know that competition is an ugly word but... Read More
reliable maid service Wilmette ..Maximum efficiency in the cleaning industry is a key to... Read More
Image of your franchise automotive outlet is so important. Some... Read More
Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More
Fuel prices these days are quite high and they take... Read More
Anyone in business today realizes both the natural dependency on... Read More
Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More
When you feel like you're always busy working on your... Read More
While there are few career paths that some would call... Read More
Seems as though there are a lot of business closings... Read More
Many small businesses do quite well due to the blood,... Read More
I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More
Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More
Not sure how to start a small business? This guide... Read More
Cash is King... That is what everyone tells us and... Read More
Passion. Passion alone can make your business successful. As an... Read More
The Boston suburbs seem to be rich with possible locations... Read More
An observation while returning home from a seminar: Getting away... Read More
In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More
You can make your trade show experience much easier by... Read More
Attorneys and Lawyers are ruining the franchise industry. It is... Read More
A lot of business owners I've spoken with lately have... Read More
How far can you go based on your relationship with... Read More
By outsourcing to skilled professionals you'll be able to grow... Read More
What types of companies do you want to align yourself... Read More
"What do you do?" It just might be one of... Read More
Small Business |