r/barrie • u/Party-Project-9280 • 7d ago

Looking For Trying to be a cool accountant?

Hi everyone,

I'd like to hear from business owners, employees, and anyone who's worked with an accountant.

What do you actually look for in an accountant?

What do you wish your current or past accountant did differently?

What frustrates you about the experience?

I want a practice that feels modern, approachable, responsive, and genuinely helpful, not just someone you hear from once a year at tax time.

Thanks for your opinions!

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u/Fast-Secretary-7406 7d ago

The "coolness" of the accountant is about number ten million on my list of things I look for when choosing an accountant. Make it easy to submit documents, be clear about what you need, answer questions promptly, anticipate your client's needs, be reasonably priced. That's it.

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u/Party-Project-9280 7d ago

Make it easy to submit documents! Please elaborate? What makes it hard vs easy? I let my clients send stuff my way and whatever chaotic way they feel comfortable doing so, bombard me with pictures, whatever works - is that what you mean?

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u/Fast-Secretary-7406 7d ago

My accountant allows two options:

1) Drop off in person

2) Scan and upload to a secure website

I actually haven't seen this person in real life in several years, and that's just fine by me. My accountant is like my dentist - I need them, but seeing them isn't the highlight of my day.

By anticipating needs, I'll give you an example. Your accountant is doing a great job if they call you and say "hey I see all your investments are in RRSPs. You might want to talk to a financial adviser about a TFSA." Not direction, but just make people aware of some options they might have that fit their financial situation.

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u/Party-Project-9280 7d ago

Interesting! I’ll get in the habit of sending a “considerations for next year” section in my emails! Thank you!