I worked with Rob for my S Corp from 2019 to 2023 and I believe I can give an honest review of his services based on my personal experience. With the rise of AI in various fields, such as professional services by CPAs and legal advice, it may soon become a question of cost for small businesses and entrepreneurs when choosing between a bot for CPA services and a human with a personality (i.e., your CPA).
When dealing with a numbers-oriented person, you may encounter a lackluster personality that can be unprofessional or prickly when responding to clients, and unfortunately, that was my experience with Rob. While appreciation should be mutual, I never felt like I was valued as a client by Rob. I often felt like I was imposing on his time when I did reach out to him (maybe 2-3 times a year...)
Rob is a CPA with the ability to do taxes; he'd have to be pretty incompetent to ruin this and still stay in business. However, this isn't why he gets a rating of 2 stars - Read on:
Based on my experience, Rob's responses are often quick but curt or unprofessional in tone. The short version is that he typically made me feel as a client that he was doing me a favor, a favor I WAS PAYING FOR. I often felt like I was bothering him. It seemed like there was never a good time to reach out for his assistance.
I'm a pretty low-maintenance client. I didn't expect the sun, moon, or stars, but that's the impression he seemed to give. I just imagined his eye roll with the under-your-breath annoyance in the way he'd respond... Entrepreneurs and small businesses in California may get the short end of the stick as bigger clients with deeper pockets are prioritized. Maybe it's the inherent truth, but it can always be done tactfully.
I asked him a question via email, to which he promptly replied stating his consultation fee was $100/15 minutes. He also inquired whether I wished to proceed with a call and informed me that he would bill me in advance. We later clarified that it was just a simple question about something that I was informing him about my business updates, that did not require a "phone consultation." I never had a problem paying for something when the value of the services lined up.
If Rob wants his clients to pay based on the value of his services, maybe he should also make the value he provides more transparent. Unfortunately, he is not an isolated case in this matter. Most CPAs have similar expectations from their clients.
I believe that Rob can certainly improve his professional delivery and engagement even when it's brief. The cost of something and its value are not the same. People often mistake the two. Even as a consultant, when I'm upselling to a client, it's crucial not to make them feel like they're just another dollar sign. I also don't give the impression that I can't wait to nickel and dime my clients either.
Admittedly, the last time I reached out to Rob, it was during the holiday time, but as most small businesses or entrepreneurs know, we tend to work unconventional hours. I try to fit in emails and send out correspondence when I find the time.
It was downright awkward the way Rob responded in the scolding tone that he did. This in no way means as the sender I intend for the other person to drop everything and respond to me like it's a fire drill, especially during their holiday either. Emails can wait till the next business day. This is part of living in the modern world.
PER ROB: "...Also, please note this is a holiday weekend and I'd appreciate you respectably not sending this until a normal working day."
During holidays or vacations, I don't know why Rob couldn't do like other professionals and have an OOO "Out of Office" message stating he's unavailable and will respond to emails later. This is a typical professional solution that Rob could easily implement, without any unnecessary prickliness in tone or scolding his client in his responses.
Generally speaking, if a client's email or text is not urgent (or something I may have done wrong), I will respond on the next business day. It can wait!
If Rob wanted to end our business relationship or be dropped, he succeeded. Sometimes, one must weigh the pros and cons.
For me, it was mostly cons rather than pros. The taxes Rob did for my S Corp could probably be done using business tax software; there wasn't anything special about them. Otherwise, I prefer working with a CPA who values me as a client and doesn't make me feel like our communication is an annoyance.
If you are looking for a CPA who treats their clients in the described manner, then feel free to select Rob. However, it is important to note that there are many reliable, competent, and welcoming CPAs in California, and it ultimately boils down to finding the right match.
Anyways, new year, new CPA, I wish him the best! read more
