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Thread: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

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    Default Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    Before I started dancing, my dad's accountant would take care of my taxes. For the past three years I've been using an accountant who was referred to me by a manager at a previous club where I used to work. I almost had to pay thousands in penalties because of a mistake he made and I am now looking for a new one...

    I really don't know who to go to, I asked some girls I work with but none of them could refer me to anyone. I thought about going to the H&R Block but am a little hesitant and don't feel comfortable going to just any accountant without recommendations.

    I have this long-term regular, he's been coming to see me weekly since I started dancing and he still does. I've known him for already 3 years, he's very nice, respectful and always tips me generously. He never asks personal questions or try to push my boundaries, we only exchanged phone numbers a few months ago and he never asked me for my real name. Except sometimes when he would come to see me an hour before closing time and volunteered to give me a lift home, which I always politely declined... Besides that, he's one of my favourite customers.

    He's an accountant and I am assuming he's good at what he does, if he can afford to visit strip clubs and massage parlors very often and tip well on top of that. He always told me I can go to him whenever I need help. I wonder if i should?

    I am a paranoid person and I don't feel that comfortable knowing he will have all my personal information (my name, my address...), afterall he's still a customer. And what if someday something goes wrong, he goes psycho and starts blackmailing me or does something to get back at me? Should I trust him? He said he would do it for me at no cost but I know he's a busy person and don't want to take away his time for free, more importantly I don't want our relationship to become too personal. I said I will pay him and he said he'll charge me students rates lol

    Sorry for writing such a long post.
    Last edited by xStacey; 03-01-2015 at 05:27 PM.

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    I personally wouldn't do it because it blurs the lines and boundaries.

    Not to mention he now will know pretty much as much about you as the managers and owners. Like your ss number your address how much you make.

    I barely like the managers and owners knowing my info I can't imagine forking my sensitive info over to a customer even if he is good at taxes and accounting.

    There has got to be someone else you can find. I don't think you should use him as your accountant but if you insist only do it as a last resort.
    “Cook for him like a housewife, fuck him good like a nympho….pay the rent and the car note, he invests in me like crypto”

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    Quote Originally Posted by miss.a.p1600 View Post
    I personally wouldn't do it because it blurs the lines and boundaries.

    Not to mention he now will know pretty much as much about you as the managers and owners. Like your ss number your address how much you make.

    I barely like the managers and owners knowing my info I can't imagine forking my sensitive info over to a customer even if he is good at taxes and accounting.

    There has got to be someone else you can find. I don't think you should use him as your accountant but if you insist only do it as a last resort.
    Thanks for replying!

    I'm from Canada and it's a little different over here, we don't have 1099 forms (or yet)... He will actually know more than the managers and owners :| Nobody at the club knows anything about my ss, address or income so it's even more frightening!

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    I wouldn't do it either. I'm sure he's nice, but it *could* get bad later---you won't know until you do it…but why risk it?
    “Personal empowerment means deconditioning yourself from the values and the programs of the society and putting your own values and programs in place.”
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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    Tell him you really appreciate his offer and do want help with your forms. Could he recommend a firm or a couple of colleagues?

    That way he still gets to help you and you find an accountant without offering personal info

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    Quote Originally Posted by amberlly View Post
    Tell him you really appreciate his offer and do want help with your forms. Could he recommend a firm or a couple of colleagues?

    That way he still gets to help you and you find an accountant without offering personal info
    I am under the impression it'll offend him more than simply declining his help though... Not only will I be refusing his help but also asking if I could have someone else instead lol

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    I see your point. Customers are strange like that. Plus he sounds like a great reg.

    I was seeing it as I value your advice but wouldnt feel comfortable getting involved in your professional life. Help me this way instead. Coz your savvy and connected.

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    NOOOOOOOO !!!! Conflict of Interest !!!

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    Eh, It's called networking. Perks of the job. I've met contractors, lawyers and Doctors etc and they've all come in handy. Trust your instincts. Is he married? I doubt he'd want to lose his license. Idk it's up to you. I mean you can find someone to do your taxes relatively cheap. Not like he's giving you a discount on something that costs thousands.

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    As much as I like to be the trusting type, one need only look at the numbers of threads involving regulars who suddenly lose their shit to think it may be a bad idea.

    Accountants are pretty much a dime a dozen, although good accountants may be a quarter, so keep asking around with co workers and such.
    My tendency would be to recommend the most uptight straitlaced firm in town. They may be no less judgmental, but they will keep their mouths shut, compared to the part time 3 month Block employee who tells everyone and their uncle they are doing taxes for [wait for it, you won't believe it] a STRIPPER

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    Conflicts of interest in all businesses are to be avoided. Keep it professional. Plenty of good CPA's.

    My advice is to find a few small firms (in nice looking office buildings), ask if they are taking new clients, schedule a few meetings, and select the CPA you like. Hopefully it'll be a good and long lasting professional relationship.

    Don't use H&R Block, for a just a little more you can get much more personalized service. H&R is a tax farm, you want a relationship, given your taxes are the single largest bill most people pay every year.

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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    I vote NO! He's the customer, he can't be anything more.

    XOXO
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    Default Re: Hiring a regular customer as your accountant?

    Maybe start doing your own taxes via Turbotax or something similar, and then if any questions arise, perhaps write them down and ask him next time you see him at work? That way he feels like he's helping you and you assistance. If he helps you a lot you can always give him a little discount or something too

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