Accolades for accountants

WSS — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:53:04 GMT

I can't express my concern about business, especially small business, to use CPA's ir accountants. My brother-in-law is a CPA and my husband is an Enrolled Agent. I help out at the office during tax season and I have seen more than I can count come to us after the IRS has Questioned their returns. Sometimes is't to late to do anything other than to set up a payment plan. But there are many times when they can keep the tax burden to near nothing. I urge anyone who does not understand tge tax laws to seek help. It will cost you some money upfront, but may save you thousands in the end.

Accolades for accountants

JeanMarie Hinds, Appleton, WI — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:07:27 GMT

Thanks for the good words. My passion is helping business owners become more successful by serving small and emerging businesses with tax strategy, recordkeeping, cash flow, overhead control, even branding/marketing. Any good firm should be able to work with the client to serve their needs with reasonable fees. We preach keeping control of overhead so obviously it is a big deal for us here at TaxxDog, which in turn keeps us affordable for small, and especially new, businesses.

Accolades for accountants

Tony, prospect park, Pennsylvania — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:21:47 GMT

Maybe we're living in two different worlds because I think the feeling you have is a false security. I think it’s a question of how American laziness has opened doors for jobs because individuals do not want to take responsibility for anything. Maybe you shouldn't have a business if you're not willing to educate yourself on how to run or manage it, how do you know you make profits? I enjoy learning about keeping my business running and I look at the books constantly to figure out ways to improve or see future problems. How do you know that your accountant isn't even busier then you and has been keeping up with tax laws to the letter? I’m sure they have other clients to service as well and want to get them all in within the tax deadline are they taking $1000 worth of time on your taxes or just getting them out in a rush. Even a CPA could pass their tests and be too lazy to apply the concepts correctly.... think about it, Enron didn't happen by accident. The country has falling into such disarray because we just keep passing off on responsibility and try to make a buck as easy as possible. The housing problem was irresponsible marketing from mortgage brokers and real estate agents that really don't lose sleep if you lost your home and ruined your life as long as they can still drive their BMW convertibles. The only way to know for sure something is done right is to do it yourself. Maybe you want to praise yourself for having the ability to trust other people with your money, to make your decisions for you, in order to maximize your benefits for your interests (really doesn't sound all that comforting does it) but that seems like a communistic ideal if you ask me. Do you go to a used car lot hand a salesman $20,000 but tell him you could afford $30k ask him what he thinks you should drive and wait by the front door for him to drive up with a car specially picked for you? If it’s not over $20k he’s not doing his job. Don’t get me wrong there are good trustworthy accountants out there but I agree that everyone needs to keep their knowledge as current as possible and question things constantly to keep their people in check before you throw this kind of blind trust into them. Trust always must be earned.

Accolades for accountants

Peter George, Warwick, RI — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:09:29 GMT

Actually, I AM in love with my account; she's my wife. With that said ... as a marketing coach, I know marketing. I have also been self-employed for 18 years, so I know the basics (and then some) about my company's figures. However, I wouldn't take on my taxes -- personal or business -- any more than I would suggest to an entrepreneur that he/she takes on marketing without professional guidance.

Besides, it's well worth the money (yes, I do pay her for her time) to have an expert handle it than it would be for me complete the task. And I certainly do not want to wonder whether I filled out all the necessary forms and had done so correctly.