You’ve done everything right – gone through a recommendation, met with three potential accountants before making your choice and checked all their qualifications. But still you feel something is missing. With accounting fees being one of the highest administrative expenses you can face when you are self employed, it can be really frustrating to be left wanting more from your accountant. So here are some things you can do if you really really hate your accountant!
Talk to Them
Believe it or not accountants are human just let everyone else. Set up a time to meet with them to discuss your concerns. Do it over a coffee to make the meeting more informal and relaxed to avoid anything getting heated and voice your concerns. Chances are your accountant may be feeling the same, after all no one actually sets out to deliver a bad service!
Stop and Work Out What You Need/Want
As businesses grow their needs change and develop. Whereas in early days a basic bookkeeping service may have been sufficient, you may find that you now need more strategic advice or tax planning. Take 10 mins to have a think about what services you really need and where you feel your accountant is failing you. Then decide whether this is something your accountant can offer you or whether you need to go elsewhere. Every accountant has a different skillset so by taking sometime to understand what you need you can make a decision as to whether it is resourced correctly.
Are You Being a Model Client?
It’s tough for accountants to deal with difficult clients, especially if they are on fixed fees. Make sure you are providing everything your accountant needs promptly so they can do their job effectively. If you are in the zone of hating your accountant, then every bit of correspondence from them may end up pushed to one side but this will just mean your relationship will continue to be strained.
Have You Negotiated Too Big A Discount?
We all love a deal, but if you have run your accountant down on fee they will deliver you a leaner service – its all about profit margins after all! Accountants need to cover their time, so if you are expecting more from your accountant that they are delivering, then check how much time they are allocating to your business and whether this is enough.
Personality Clash
Sometimes you just don’t like someone and that’s OK in my opinion. You don’t trust them, you don’t like the way they speak to you or they just aren’t your kind of person. If this is the case, then your relationship with your accountant may be beyond repair. You could ask to be assigned to another member of their team or if this is not possible, you may just need to find a new accountant.
If you are in the situation when you really really hate your accountant I would say do not delay in finding a solution. Financials are at the heart of your business and affect every business decision you make so if you are missing timely or accurate information you are at risk of loosing money.
