CPA always "too busy" during tax season - acceptable?

Question

1)  My CPA Firm / Tax guy is *excellent*.

2) Two years in a row (2019 and 2020), I've had a non-tax related issue come up during "tax season" where I needed CPA/Tax/Accountant advice, and was given a "too busy" response.

Last Year (2019 Jan/Feb): I needed some accounting work done related to accredited investor status and a new private equity investment I was looking into. My CPA told me, "Sorry it's tax season, I'm too busy, hit me up after April 15th."  I had to find and use another guy to do the work for me before the deadline, paid $350 in fees for literally 15 minutes of his time (NOT complaining about the fees, just pointing out that it wasn't "hours" worth of work. - He just had to review a single one page document, and complete a one page form).

This Year (2020 Jan/Feb):  Looking at a cash-out ReFi for one of my properties, again I reach out to accountant asking for him to "review the deal", and I get a repeat reply, "Sorry, it's tax season, hit me up after April 15th".  This one is tougher because the benefit of him reviewing the deal is that he already know my complete financial situation and would not have to re-learn all the numbers.

I find it hard to believe that all non tax return related activities come to a screeching halt for CPAs during "tax season"?!?!  This firm is NOT a "tax return only" firm, they're a "small business CPA firm" that specializes in business consulting, tax PLANNING, etc.

Should I find a new accountant that is willing to do non-tax work for me DURING TAX SEASON?  I don't mind continuing to use this guy for my taxes (they're also QuickBooks wizards, so they help with that also), but of the ideal is to use one firm for everything.

Is it something else I'm not aware of?

Eamonn McElroy · Answer

You should voice your concerns to your CPA.

Most CPAs work 60-80 hours a week from the last week of January to April 15th on statutory compliance work alone.  Each CPA firm is different.  Some push all non-statutory deadline work to after April 15th.  To say that we are busy is an understatement.

Me personally, I accommodate my clients where possible and will bend over backwards to get the job done if it is time sensitive, but if it's not a priority and can be handled after April 15th, that's the route I suggest.

"paid $350 in fees for literally 15 minutes of his time (NOT complaining about the fees, just pointing out that it wasn't "hours" worth of work. - He just had to review a single one page document, and complete a one page form)."

For someone not complaining about the fees it sure sounds like you are.  : )

"Should I find a new accountant that is willing to do non-tax work for me DURING TAX SEASON?  I don't mind continuing to use this guy for my taxes (they're also QuickBooks wizards, so they help with that also), but of the ideal is to use one firm for everything."

Have you had a frank and open conversation with your tax professional?

Natalie Kolodij · Answer

Marketing time is built into any good business model ;)

But you'll notice those scores on the side of the forums start to drop this time of year for a bit lol We're all insanely busy is my guess- but if you don't stop to spend 15 minutes on something else you'll go nuts.

Natalie Kolodij · Answer

This is exactly what I have as well.

My existing-client calendar always has availability, even during tax season, because when you're cranking out returns just "finding" 30 minutes to handle an un-related issue can be tricky. But if the client books my time- it's theirs.

Eamonn McElroy · Answer

@Michael Noto

@Natalie Kolodij responded first and put it succinctly, no manner how busy a self-employed individual is, they always leave time for marketing each week, otherwise the business will not survive.  One who is self-employed needs, not wants, to be in front of the public 24/7/365 in the most efficient manner possible.

@Mike Cumbie

Dennis Celery is my guy.  "fell off the boat"  : )

@Bruce Gardner

I think a lot of the disparity in perception of CPA value comes from 180 degree misunderstanding.  A CPA's fees internalize many factors, which include but are not limited to knowledge level, timeliness of communication, network referrals, ability to execute, and proprietary knowledge and strategies that are brought to the table.

Outside of that, we have tremendous professional liability depending on the specific service.  Many of us would not be able to sleep at night if it wasn't for high-limit E&O insurance.  And you think you worry about your liability as a landlord.  : )

Let me ask you this, why do you want your CPA to review and sign off on these documents?  Why not a stranger on the street in exchange for a $20 bill, or a McMuffin and a coffee?

While you may think that your bill should be lower because it only took "literally 15 minutes of his time" and he could have used "the financial statement HE CREATED for me months prior", you're completely ignoring the risk absorption factor.

And before anyone sighs and rolls their eyes, that's a very real risk in the professional services.  If there's a risk that a bank/lender could turn around and sue us for hundreds of thousands of dollars, or MILLIONS of dollars if we're wrong, we're not going to only charge you $50.  Someone who does that has no idea what they are doing, and (counter-intuitively), that's someone you should be questioning whether or not you should leave.

Mike Cumbie · Answer

Call my guy Dennis Celery:

Kory Reynolds · Answer

I am with Eamonn on all counts. We do what we can, but we are short on time. Make sure the timeline as to when you need it is clear, and the scope of what is required. Also be realistic as to when you actually need to - be prepared to be flexible, as asking for another 30 minutes on top of 75 hours worked that week can sometimes be a lot to ask for.

I certainly have my share of 15-30 minute projects that I kick to after 4/15 if I know there is flexibility. A CPA will easily have several hundred returns/extensions they need to get through in tax season - those 15 minutes add up quick.

Caleb Heimsoth · Answer

@Bruce Gardner I am not a cpa but my cpa/accountant responds to my emails or questions usually within a business day or two, even during this time of year. If they can’t even communicate with you I think you can do better

Michael Noto · Answer

This entire post is filled with accountants saying how busy they are, but they are all taking time to respond to a forum post. Hmmmmm. Ha. Just a little joke.

I actually understand the accountants stance on this, but if that is not the level of service you expect then hire someone else moving forward. Pretty simple.

Michael Plaks · Answer

@Bruce Gardner

A lot depends on the practice your CPA is running. Many tax firms focus on volume tax preparation, and it does make their tax seasons overloaded to the point of not having extra 15 minutes to spare. You're thinking "but you could've made an easy $350 by helping me" while he is thinking "I was risking to miss the deadline for 15 clients already, and I couldn't afford to lose them." Other firms plan their workload for the year to avoid overload and leave room to handle ad hoc projects.

The other factor is the type of engagement you have. If you only hired your CPA for tax preparation, he would not be expecting those extra projects and leaving room to fit them in. If your engagement is for a year-round advisory, then he should be expecting your periodic need for his time and plan accordingly.

Since you mentioned that his firm was specializing in tax planning, and you have discussed your needs, it seems like your requests should not have been unexpected for your CPA. If so, then they are probably not well suited for what your need. And I doubt that engaging multiple tax firms is productive, other than maybe for a special one-time project.

Bruce Gardner · Answer

Thanks again for your replies. What would you think if I were to send an email asking for a referral?  How would YOU take something like the following:

Hi Eamonn,

Thanks again for blah blah.  I know tax-season is busy for you. For non-tax related needs that happen during tax season (accreditation assessments, business transaction review, etc.), is there someone else in your firm that has more time available to address these issues?

CPA always "too busy" during tax season - acceptable?

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