I've got no people

[bertrans]

You put yourself down when you say “I am NOT….” All the customer hears is you are not something they thought you were.

Instead, you should have said: “I am an Enrolled Agent. I am licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department to represent taxpayers before the IRS.”

Then remain silent about CPAs and whether or not you are one. Let the customer ask you what the difference is between an EA and a CPA. If they do ask, you explain a CPA is licensed by the state and your license comes from the federal government. If they don’t ask, you say nothing about the difference. Don’t try to say whether one is better than the other. Never put yourself above or below a CPA as that kind of talk will turn off the general public.

As soon as the client said ';Oh, in that case I,m going to HRB', I'd have asked 'Why?' Then would have followed a discussion of the merits of an EA, etc. Then, of course, I would have probably lost the client!! This situation reflects a widespread fascination with 'titles' - it's nothing new, but it's still yukky.

[Jesse]

As soon as the client said ';Oh, in that case I,m going to HRB', I'd have asked 'Why?' Then would have followed a discussion of the merits of an EA, etc. Then, of course, I would have probably lost the client!! This situation reflects a widespread fascination with 'titles' - it's nothing new, but it's still yukky.

When they said they were going to HRB I wish I would have been quick enough to ask why? They have no CPA or EA at our local office and I'm sure they will not be shipping your return to a different office.

Again nothing against HRB - but something against this client who cut me down because I'm not a CPA, that was just yukky!

[JohnH]

Better to know early on

The client had the best information they could get about you - a good referral. But then they are hung up on titles in an area they know nothign about. If the client thinks along those lines, better to know BEFORE you get involved with them. I like to eliminate people at the outset - not out of any desire to lose potential business, but just because I'd rather know if there's not a good fit before I invest any time with them.

[AZ-Tax]

Prospect not worthy

Forgot about the prospect and move on for this prospect is not worth your time. I am not a CPA nor a EA (though I took the exam missed by a couple pts but plan to take again). I agree with the other post, I find error after error with most CPA prepared returns my new clients bring in. I had a ex client email me stating they lost their 05 & 06 tax returns I prepared and wanted copies. So I emailed back with the cost of the copies and never heard back. I guees the ex client didnt loose the tax returns after all : ). Our country is full of consumers like this but when you obtain clients that appreciate us, take good care of them for they will reward you in referrals etc. Jesse, think positive, you will have clients that will appreciate you.

[gkaiseril]

Not all CPA or Attorney's can Practice Before the IRS

You should also point out that for a CPA or Attorney to represent a taxpayer before the IRS they must be currently licensed and in good standing with the state of licensing and have applied to and have been accepted by the IRS to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Not all CPAs nor Attorneys that have passed the CPA exam or Bar exam apply for state licenses because they are not in public practice or can not meet the state licensing requriements. And some can not be accepted by the IRS for various reasons.

[taxtime]

My 2 cents

Everyone is susceptible to making mistakes, EA, CPA or Attorney. I have posted some questions on this board (some stupid I know), and I have learned from EA’s and CPA’s and both should be held in high regard. I am a CPA and do not think of myself as any better than anyone else. I do appreciate all of you sharing your expertise on this board. It is a shame that the potential client said that. I have a day job as a VP of Finance, and I do returns on the side (I like to do them, call me kooky). If I have one that is over my head (a lot are), I have no problem sending them to an EA.

[Snaggletooth]

Better solution

TaxTime - good to have you. We often need GAAP expertise too.

If you run into a difficult return, you have other options than sending your client to another professional.

You have TTB book(s), the Web CD, and you have this message board full of helpful people. When I first started, I wasn't fit to do anything more than W-2s and Sch As. Five thousands of returns later, I do just about everything. That is not to imply that I am high on the ladder of expertise, but it DOES mean I can do much, much more than when I started.

Handy reference books, and this internet forum have done a lot for me.

[taxxcpa]

CPA not Applied to IRS

You should also point out that for a CPA or Attorney to represent a taxpayer before the IRS they must be currently licensed and in good standing with the state of licensing and have applied to and have been accepted by the IRS to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Not all CPAs nor Attorneys that have passed the CPA exam or Bar exam apply for state licenses because they are not in public practice or can not meet the state licensing requriements. And some can not be accepted by the IRS for various reasons.

I've never applied to represent anyone before the IRS. I've accompanied people to the IRS and have been present at audits, but the need to represent someone in tax court only came up once about ten years ago and I had a friend who is both an attorney and CPA handle that. I'm still doing that client's tax returns and if the situation came up again, I would do the same. I see no reason to do that sort of thing unless it became a regular recurring thing in my practice.

[David1980]

If they told me they were going to HRB, I'd probably consider it a good thing. The kind of customer that doesn't do the minimal research necessary to realize HRB employees are not CPAs either probably is going to be the same one wanting all those non-existant special credits their hair stylist/neighbor/mailman told them about. I'd let HRB deal with those people gladly.

[Jesse]

........... probably is going to be the same one wanting all those non-existant special credits their hair stylist/neighbor/mailman told them about. I'd let HRB deal with those people gladly.

You mean like that top hat and rabbit everyone keeps asking about!?!**

**(You'll understand only if you've seen the commercial and I'm not even sure if it's HRB or JH.)

[drdino]

What do you use?

Don’t mean to revive old topics, but I'm deciding on what to use on my business cards. How do you represent yourself on stationary and business cards? Enrolled, admitted, licensed, or something else. I have read different things and this old post has some interesting views in it

Thanks in advance...

[CinSee]

I used to work for American Express Tax & Business Services before it was bought out by HRB. The H&R Block Tax and Business Services offices are not the same as the retail offices you find in the malls. There are about a dozen of these offices and their level is above the retail offices but not the level of RSM McGladrey. Most of these offices have a CPA running the office. The office I worked at had two CPA's and an EA beside myself, which I was an EA at the time. I've moved so many times I missed my renewal period and mailed my application for renewal in 3 months late and I haven't heard back yet. Hopefully I will be able to maintain my license.

I'm not defending all of HRB but I do know for a fact that there are a lot of CPA's and EA's employed with the company. A couple of years ago, after I left the company, they had a facility, I believe in ND, that employed EA's and CPA to prepare returns for the offices. Most of these there were problems with the preparation.

For the most part I would not recommend anyone to an HRB office, unless I could refer them to one of the Tax & Business offices.

[Lion]

Naea

Hey, Jeff, NAEA is a good organization. Informative magazine, and you can get CEUs if you take the tests. Good message board, too. If your area has an active local organization, then go for it. Here in CT we have a great group with informative programs that grant CEUs (an all day program coming up after extensions are over for eight CEUs).

[Lion]

I've Got People

I've got people. I have all of you. This is my virtual office, virtual water cooler. I learn so much by reading every day. And, when I post a problem, you all help me to think it through. This was my first year on my own. I couldn't have done it without all of you! Thank you for being my colleagues.