Accounting Today just released a great little slideshow/article called “The Most Common Misconceptions About Tax Preparers”… and I have to say, while I was surprised by a couple of them, most of them represent the frustrations that make me sometimes want to sell my practice (when I’m deep into tax season and feel like I can’t get a break, and one of the misconceptions on the list rears its ugly head):

1) The computer does all the work.
2) Anyone can do it.
3) Preparers work for the IRS.
4) All preparers are equal.
5) All tax returns are the same.
6) Their fees are too high.
7) Not being audited means their preparer is doing a good job.
8) Preparers only work during tax season.

Fact of the matter is, when you pay for a CPA, EA, or other tax preparation professional to do your return, you’re paying not for the hours it takes to complete the forms: but rather for the lifetime of education, experience, and knowledge that comes with what it means to be a dedicated tax geek who loves what they do and has the ethics required to do it well. For example, I personally attend more than three times the state’s required amount of continuing education each year (40 are required, and I take about 130).

Lest this sound like a marketing ploy, let me make it clear that I’m not accepting new clients. I simply want to ask you to a) choose your tax preparer carefully, b) once you’ve found a dedicated and educated professional, give them the benefit of the doubt where the above misconceptions are concerned, and c) write them a nice thank-you note  or email once-in-a-while.

As for the original article, it’s a quick read — go for it: The most common misconceptions about tax preparers | Accounting Today