Just STOP IT

First of all, if this title does not make you think of a MadTV sketch with Bob Newhart:

• Hold it right there, and go watch it HERE
• Laugh yourself into hysterics
• Think about all of the times you wanted to be THAT GUY
• Then come back to me

You’re welcome.

Now, I have to pull out #MyAccountantVoice to rant about something that is guaranteed to make me eye roll, occasionally bang my head against my desk, and even think about causing bodily injury to people (when I’m hangry OR after the 5^th repeat of this same kind of conversation in the same day):

When I am hired for my professional expertise, by someone who admits they have no idea what they’re doing and have already made a hideous mess…..and then proceeds to challenge/debate/straight up argue every single answer I have.

I do NOT understand this thought process at all.

Do you?

I think I really, REALLY need this shirt, too.

Let’s review:

• They found me, certified and highly rated, while searching for an industry expert, so it should be obvious I know what I’m talking about.
• They have hired me for this, it’s not like I am giving unsolicited advice.
• Everything they already tried is not working AT ALL (and usually made things even worse).
• Sometimes, the first few sentences in our exchange include “Now, I’m not an Accountant”…..and THIS is the one that causes questions…..

Then WHY are you pretending to be one? Why did you even apply for, much less accept that job?  Why are you trying to convince me that you don’t need to change anything when you literally just told me you need help and contacted ME for the same answers you’re debating now?

Would you appreciate me pretending to be your surgeon because I can take out a splinter, or your hairstylist because I can use scissors?

Would you appreciate me coming to YOUR office or salon or shop and telling YOU how to do YOUR job?

If you do any of that, stop it right now. Just STOP IT.

Your friend’s mom’s coworker’s niece who thinks “they know QuickBooks®” (because they figured out how to record a deposit or write a check) is not an Accountant. We have 4-year degrees for that, plus countless hours of continuing education and refresher training on GAAP and both state and federal tax laws (that change constantly) AND years of practical professional experience…………

So please STOP IT with THAT, too.

Basically, I am saying THIS to whoever needs to hear it today:

Please consider your Accountant, Financial Strategist, ProAdvisor, or Tax Analyst the same way you would your surgeon, stylist, or mechanic (to name a few). Hire a knowledgeable, experienced professional you can trust for tasks that really need one, and THEN FOLLOW THEIR ADVICE. I promise you, it usually costs more to fix or clean up the mess made by a pretender than it does for the right person to do it right in the first place, whatever it is.

And then don’t be that person anymore.

Rant officially over.

Question for other professional service providers – how do you handle it gracefully when this happens to you?

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