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.
eco-friendly cleaning service Bannockburn ..Cash is King?That is what everyone tells us and it... Read More
If you own a mobile service or home based franchise... Read More
Here's why 'WHY' is such a profit-making marketing trigger."Stop taking... Read More
If you're looking for start-up capital for your business, but... Read More
If you run a pressure washing company in a rural... Read More
Commonly folks have asked me what the technical difference is... Read More
There is significant competition in auto detailing and car washing.... Read More
Why does a good business relationship rely on having some... Read More
I propose this thought on the subject of Franchisee territory... Read More
Most small businesses incorporated in 2005 will fail by the... Read More
People will always stress that having a well researched business... Read More
Competition in the business world is often viewed as a... Read More
Remember the training programs, seminars, and workshops you had to... Read More
Before you start a business we encourage you to prepare... Read More
If you are in a franchise and have a territory... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
When is it a good thing to say no to... Read More
Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More
We're birds of a feather, public relations and small business.... Read More
To wash an airplane there are many items you will... Read More
Achieving real success should be the goal of any good... Read More
Top 3 Ways to Maximize Your Small Business Server Consulting... Read More
As a company grows, the owner's role begins to change.... Read More
It's a strange anomaly.Most people who set out to start... Read More
I ran a franchise company for many years, a car... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..Why should you do informative talks to smaller groups?Informative talks... Read More
Once you've decided to incorporate your small business the next... Read More
Starting the blind cleaning business is one of the best... Read More
Office support services can range from basic data entry to... Read More
Don't you find that there are so many decisions you... Read More
Buyers want both online and local information about where to... Read More
Does your company have a community relation strategy? Have you... Read More
When a regulator finds a target to go after to... Read More
How do you find the best business partners?Finding a good... Read More
If you own a mobile car washing, pressure washing or... Read More
For really tough boat hull cleaning you will need to... Read More
When you go into business for yourself, there are many... Read More
There are several well-known truck washes in the Great State... Read More
Q. I am a former pastor who left the ministry... Read More
While driving through Pennsylvania farmland, you have probably noticed an... Read More
1. Everyone Makes A Difference ? Despite not letting him... Read More
The success of your business depends on your ability to... Read More
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PRICINGIn case you hadn't noticed, people can... Read More
You see it often in large shopping complexes. Customers seem... Read More
You're a small business owner with a hot new product... Read More
If you are a non-operator owner of many work trucks,... Read More
Let's face it, we all tend to get stuck in... Read More
We're birds of a feather, public relations and small business.... Read More
Most new small businesses won't be in business this time... Read More
It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More
Small Business |