Business 101

So last week I email my accountant some spreadsheets and ask if he’d look to see if I should be putting more away for taxes before the end of the year. After a week without a response, I emailed again on Monday and asked if he’d received it. I was told he had, but he was in some accounting training and couldn’t get it back to me until Wednesday.

OK.

So this morning there’s still nothing in my inbox. This isn’t my first experience like this with this guy, so I decided to let him go and find a new accountant.

Almost immediately after my email was sent, I got this back:

Mark,

I apologize for not getting back to you. This is the time of year where I’m out at training to keep up with the recent changes in tax laws and learn new things that may help my clients. Yesterday I was at a QuickBooks seminar all day in (removed for privacy). Mon-Tues I was at a Gear Up Seminar in (removed for privacy) on business entities.

I understand your frustration. However, I did not know there was an urgency with your tax information I received only 9 days ago. My mistake was that I did not have an out of office reply on regarding my seminars.

You have every right to choose another accountant and I will forward whatever information you would like me to forward to them. I only hope your future CPA takes the same interest in educating themselves as I do.

I love how the tone of this is both blaming, and condescending at the same time.

Let’s dissect this, shall we?

I apologize for not getting back to you.

OK.

This is the time of year where I’m out at training to keep up with the recent changes in tax laws and learn new things that may help my clients.

You don’t need to sell me on this. Just say you were out at training. I’m assuming you’re not training to defraud your clients.

Yesterday I was at a QuickBooks seminar all day in (removed for privacy). Mon-Tues I was at a Gear Up Seminar in (removed for privacy) on business entities.

I don’t need this info. And none of it really justifies not doing what you said you would.

I understand your frustration. However, I did not know there was an urgency with your tax information I received only 9 days ago.

There was no real urgency, until you set a deadline for yourself that you didn’t keep. (Again.)

This drives me crazy. It’s business 101. Underpromise; overdeliver. Say you’ll have it to me next week, and have it to me on Friday. Give yourself plenty of time, and give the impression of finishing early.

Also, nine days is plenty of time for any CPA to look over two spreadsheets and a paystub. Seriously, what would this have taken, 10 minutes?

My mistake was that I did not have an out of office reply on regarding my seminars.

Ya think?

You have every right to choose another accountant and I will forward whatever information you would like me to forward to them.

I love how I’m given permission to fire him.

I only hope your future CPA takes the same interest in educating themselves as I do.

Me too.. *sniff* Me… too…

Seriously, it amazes me how badly so many people conduct basic day-to-day business. Ugh…

Anyway, I’ve obsessed over this enough.

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