Earlier last week we had a meeting scheduled with a potential new client. Unfortunately this meeting as well as the prior one was cancelled by the client. This time they stated that, they may not be happy with their current CPA, but they believe it is too difficult to switch and they want to stay with their current CPA. So, instead of trying to force someone to do what they are uncomfortable with we left them to continue with their unhappiness.
But, the truth is people don’t like change and with suffer rather than make a necessary change. Even if it will make their lives, better, easier and more efficient. This is a basic tenant of human behavior.
But changing a CPA does not have to be overly painful. When we fire a client, or on the rare occasion they do leave we attempt to make the transition as easily as possible.
All that is necessary is really a short list of items. They are as follows:
• Trial Balance
• Last 2 years of tax returns
• Fixed Asset listing
• Deprecation Schedule
• Basis schedule
The last three items should actually be included in the details from the tax returns.
As I have stated in the past, if you don’t feel comfortable picking up the phone, sending an e-mail or contacting your CPA in any way regarding something important to you or your business you have the wrong CPA. If they are not checking in on a regular basis you have the wrong CPA. If they are not part of your management team you have the wrong CPA. If you have the wrong CPA, then who is your most trusted advisor?