If you’ve been shopping around for a new accountant, chances are you’ve asked your friends and family who they use.  Who’s a good accountant and why they rate them?  But have you ever stopped to think whether YOU are a good client? 

For your accountant to do their job and serve you at the highest level, you need to give them the same respect and timeliness that you would like back from them.  Are you calling your accountant back when they leave you a message?  Are you answering their emails as quickly as you would like them to answer your emails?  Are you signing and returning paperwork when they send it through?  Are their admin team constantly having to chase you up to do what you said you would do? 

The accountant/client relationship should be built on mutual respect and great communication that goes both ways.  Changing accountants is a big decision.  A great accountant and advisor knows things about your business and life that even your nearest and dearest don’t know.  A relationship that is built over time.   

So if you’re feeling a bit disgruntled with your accountant, have a chat with them first.  If you’ve been with them for a while, you should have already built a relationship with them.  Talk to them about your frustrations.  They can’t fix things if you don’t point out something is wrong.  If you can’t resolve it, then come and have a chat with me. 

But be warned, I’m going to ask you about your current accountant.  Why do you want to change?  What has worked well with them?  What hasn’t worked so well?  And have you paid their bill? 

We onboarded a client recently who asked that we give him time to contact his old accountant to say that he was leaving.  (Don’t get me wrong, I get that you may have got to the point you would prefer us to break up with your old accountant on your behalf.)  But this guy cc’d me in on the email that he sent to his previous accountant to tell them he was changing over.  He was straight up and explained that his circumstances and needs had changed.  He thanked them for their work in the past and wished them well.  It warmed my heart to see a transparent and honest communication which showed me what a straight up guy he is.  And that is the kind of client I want to grow a working relationship with. 

I’m not in the business of stealing clients off other accountants.  I’m in the business of building relationships.  For me, it’s about working together so that I can help you grow a better business that gives you the lifestyle you dreamt about.