Any CPAs in the audience

[Let'sgoflying!]

I might just need an education on what to expect, or how you do business but I welcome any input on this.

My former accountant moved on to other pursuits (no, not jail). I really liked him because he was responsive, and efficient with getting business done. I always talked to him. He knew my (very small) business, no moments of silence while figuring out wth I was talking about - he knew what my business was all about. He sold to a larger firm (I talked to New Firm's owner a few times in the beginning -he sounded like their marketing guy- then after that it was a stream of Connie, Laurie, Sean, Jill etc etc all who did not respond for weeks at a time to questions and did not remember me)

With Old Firm, I would plan to get my info to him in an extremely organized manner and as soon as all the 1099s etc were in. Usually early Feb. No shoeboxes of receipts; I would have all the income tallied (in the years there was any) and a list of expenses all categorized. Plus all the other details he might....need equally easy to find. Basically all he had to do was punch the given numbers into his program and tweak any changes. He did this for years at a great rate, and never did I need an extension.

This year I presented everything the same way to New Firm in early Feb. I was encouraged because within a week I was sent a trial return to review. (I say 'trial' because there are always a handful of errors on both my part and the CPA's) They are asking if I am ready to file, please sign off etc. I worked on it over a weekend and found some pretty large mistakes they'd made, some questions I needed resolved; sent it back to them with 'payment to this point' (this is all email because of distance). I got some answers early March but it has been hell contacting them to find out about the other unresolved issues. April comes and I am calling, writing....and realize because they have left it so late they are snowed under like all cpas in April. I call on the 15th to check and sure enough they have filed an extension without discussion or comment to me.

Is this typical? Was I spoiled with Old Firm and this is situation normal for CPAs?

 

[Anymouse]

My mother is a CPA, and no, this isn't typical with her.

Can't speak about the big firms though.

 

[denverpilot]

My CPA sends me a very detailed document explaining when he needs my stuff by, exactly what he needs, and forms with plenty of space to write in questions and doesn't mind an attached letter or note.

He also includes a pricing sheet and notes that certain things are higher priced (typically very complex things, I've never had one and my stuff is pretty messy).

He then hires on help during personal tax season (business taxes are year round) and usually one of the underlings handles putting in the numbers, and if there's problems or other questions, he gets directly involved.

The only unwritten rule (until you break it ... ha... which I did this year) is if you miss something after the return is filed. He sends a polite note that because of volume and making sure to handle every customer fairly, he does amendments staring only in May.

And he will put your notes about whatever got goofed in his "May file" and be in touch then. He's very polite but firm about it.

So no. I wouldn't say the firm that bought out your guy is doing it right/well.

 

[asgcpa]

I am a sole practitioner and have been in practice for 12 years on my own and previously 16 years previously with other firms, including Deloitte. You were not spoiled by your old firm. It seems they were prudent. Preparation of an accurate return requires interactive cooperation between the professional and client. I have clients all over the world and we always communicate either via phone, email (sometimes fax) or in person.

If you got your data into them early February, and they send you a trial balance or draft return shortly after, I don't know what the delay is. My clients who get data in from mid March may have to wait. Calendar Corp returns are due without extension March 15; my corp returns on extensions are either large corps that require financial audits or folks that don't have everything in on time. But, all my clients know they are on extension because I need data to file extensions. Filing extensions are an insurance policy. If I don't have all the data in for individual returns by April 1, I automatically file extensions. Many times the returns are filed prior to April 15 even though an extension was filed. As I said, I view extensions as insurance policies.

Sorry about the frustration you are experiencing.

 

[wsuffa]

Not typical, though not unheard of from larger, less responsive firms. I have a great CPA that I continue to use even though I haven't lived in his city for years. Very responsive.

But I once had a smaller guy who joined a big firm. Responsiveness plummeted after that. I moved to my current CPA and never looked back. I was "small potatoes", so I'm sure they didn't miss me... and didn't even know when I became a much bigger customer.

At the very least, they need to coordinate with you when filing an extension.