Top 10 Reasons People Change Their Accountants

The following list is a salutary lesson in what not to do if you want to keep your clients.

I have collated these points from various ideas found around the web. Such lists are normally aimed at encouraging clients of one accountant to move to another one. I thought it would be instructive to consider the same points from the perspective of an accountant.

Some of what follows will be facts. Some will be feelings and some will be false. But, even in the latter case, as I have often said: Perception is Reality. If any of your clients think of you as boring or uninteresting you may well be at risk of them being poached by a more stand out and successful accountant.

You are at risk of clients being tempted away if:

1. Their phone calls are not returned promptly
2. Promises, expectations and agreed deadlines not met.
3. Their work is not completed on a timely basis affording clients practically no time to make changes or ask questions.
4. You are providing poor value for money.
5. You are not evidently trying to help them to pay less tax.
6. You are not providing what they perceive to be a proactive service.
7. You make mistakes or have to accept there is a better solution when clients question your advice.
8. They have unexpected tax liabilities
9. They get charged penalties and interest charges about which you had not forewarned them
10. You charge unexpected or additional fees without warning clients of these in advance.

Take note. AF