Think twice before you use Paul Griz and his firm, Lighthouse Tax and Consulting, LLC…read more
Through a quick telephone response to my initial phone inquiry, Paul Griz presented himself as prompt, professional, and knowledgable. As such, I contracted with him as the accountant to prepare and file paperwork for several probate cases I was overseeing.
After the first two cases closed, Paul's response time with me quickly waned. At first I offered him grace since it was "tax season." But after several subsequent months, and multiple unreturned phone calls and unacknowledged emails, I was forced to include my attorney on correspondence with him. It was the most viable option for me to illicit any contracted correspondence or accounting guidance.
At the time of my final phone call, Paul's secretary stated that he was, yet again, unable to speak with me and was in a closed-door meeting. She insisted that she'd given him all of my previous phone messages and told him of my emails, so I shared with her that I'd just sent Paul a final email and included my attorney. Miraculously, within less than five minutes, Paul was finally able to return my call.
I readdressed my grievances that I stated in my final email, and we proceeded to discuss the accounting issues at hand. Having finished our call, I found it extremely unprofessional that Paul immediately sent me an email stating, "Our business relationship is now terminated effective immediately."
Paul, you are in a service industry. If you and your firm are ever unable to deliver on your promises of timeliness, accuracy, and following through, the least you can do is let your clients know that you've overextended yourself. Only then might you be able to resurrect yourself, maintain your clientele, and receive admirable (both verbal and online) recommendations.
Your emailed response severing any future business with me was not only uncouth, it was very telling indicating the low standards to which you hold yourself and your firm.
The end result in how you handled this situation was a HUGE win for me, though. I have reconnected with my previous accountant in another state, and have been more than pleased that you terminated any attempt to earn my future business or verbal recommendation to possible clients. Ultimately, one's reputation does precede them.