When It’s Time to Fire Your Accountant (And How to Spot the Signs Early)
Let’s be real, firing your accountant is never easy.
Maybe you’ve worked together for years. Maybe you run into them at community events or even consider them a friend. But when they consistently drop the ball, no tax-saving advice, and year-end panic—it’s often the only choice left.
It’s not personal. It’s about protecting your business and financial well-being.
If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to reevaluate your accounting relationship, here are the top three reasons clients make the switch, and why avoiding these mistakes is crucial for your growth.
1. Lack of Communication
If your accountant never picks up the phone or ignores your emails, it’s a red flag. At a minimum, your CPA should respond to your outreach in a timely manner. But great accounting firms go beyond that—they build proactive communication into their process.
Poor communication can cost you.
Last December, a childhood friend called me. Her mother was selling her business, and was stressed and stuck. Her CPA hadn’t responded for months. She had no guidance on structuring the deal, reducing her tax liability, or even estimating what she’d owe.
I stepped in, ran a full tax projection, explained the pros and cons of an asset vs. stock sale, and even advised her to push the sale to January, giving her an extra 15 months before the tax bill hit. She was relieved. We earned a client for life—simply by answering the phone.
At Aligned CPA, we take communication seriously. We:
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Share monthly financial updates
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Provide year-to-date income and tax law changes
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Schedule year-end tax projections with every business client
Our systems are designed to prevent our clients from leaving money on the table simply because their accountant is “too quiet.”
If your accountant isn’t communicating enough, request a meeting cadence or clear expectations. If that doesn’t work, it may be time to find someone who treats communication as a priority—not an afterthought.
2. No Tax-Saving Strategies
Let’s be honest: most business owners don’t hire a CPA just to file tax returns—they want someone who helps them save money.
And yet, we hear it all the time:
“I haven’t heard about any new tax laws from my accountant.”
“I’m not sure if I’m missing out on deductions.”
“They just do the basics, no planning, no strategy.”
Your accountant should be your tax-saving partner, not a form-filler.
When new clients come to Aligned CPA, we always review prior-year returns. And unfortunately, we often find they’ve overpaid. Why? Because their previous accountant didn’t take the time to explore all the options.
Here’s what a proactive CPA should be discussing with you:
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Deductions for retirement plans (and how to leverage new tax credits)
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The best way to deduct vehicle expenses
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Hiring family members to reduce tax liability
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Timing large purchases for maximum write-offs
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Industry-specific deductions and incentives
At Aligned, we analyze tax projections before year-end, looking for every possible savings opportunity. We keep our clients informed, not guessing.
3. Last-Minute Tax Surprises
No one likes surprises—especially from the IRS.
If you’re still finding out what you owe in March or even April, your accountant isn’t doing enough. The result? Stress. Second-guessing. And sometimes, paying more than you need to.
You deserve clarity.
With a proactive firm, you’ll know your numbers in advance. We run tax projections around October, giving clients six months to plan.
We also use a comprehensive tax planning checklist to make sure every angle is covered, so you can make smart moves before the year closes.
When you know what you’ll owe (and why), you can:
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Budget more confidently
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Avoid underpayment penalties
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Free up cash to reinvest in your business
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Sleep better at night
Our clients love knowing where they stand, and you will too.
Don’t Settle for Subpar Accounting Services
We get it—firing your accountant isn’t easy. But staying with someone who doesn’t communicate, strategize, or help you plan is costing you more than just money, it’s costing you peace of mind.
If any of this sounds familiar, it may be time for a change.
Schedule your consultation today and let’s build a strategy that supports your growth. Your peace of mind is just a click away
Joy Lutz, CPA, CTP
As the founder of Aligned CPA, Joy has built a firm that is your strategic financial partner. With a growth centric approach, we build meaningful relationships with our clients because we value their success as much as our own.
Positioning ourselves as the tax and financial strategists for your business, we help you make empowered, financial-based business decisions that lead to long term success.