I knew the Gertie family, and when I heard that he was given a hard time by the Cinnaminson Zoning…read moreBoard in refitting an old bank building as his office, probably because his sister used to go to the town council meetings and harangue them over their spending, I felt sorry for him and hired him as my CPA.
Things went well between us for the first two years. I called or visited him a couple of times --- I emphasize only A COUPLE --- during each of the tax seasons with questions, and he was generous with his time, not charging me extra for such questions (as he shouldn't. I was PAYING him.). However, the next year, in sitting down with him after dropping off my info, I made an offhand remark of the general state of the unfairness of the tax laws, how rich people had armies of lawyers and accountants to end up paying less than I did on my simple return. He then fixed me with a beady stare and said, "Yeah. All YOU got is ME."
Hoo boy. I meant no disrespect to his abilities. I just didn't have any loopholes or deductions for him or any accountant or tax lawyer to hide my income or dividends like a rich person. It was just an observation. About a month later I got a bill from him for $150 for the two times I called/ visited him with questions.
The next year, looking over the Federal forms, I saw that the Trump Treasury Department had greatly simplified the 1040, so I decided to do that form myself. The NJ form however, was unchanged in its rules. I called Mr. Gertie and asked if he would just do the NJ form. As sourly as he could, he said, "No. If you hire us, you're not going to piecemeal your tax forms. It's either both or nothing." There was no, 'I'm sorry, I really do that, because ...' or any other explanation why he wouldn't or couldn't just do the NJ form. So I did them both myself. And the next year, I went to another accounting firm --- who charged me $100 LESS than Gertie did to prepare my return.
Last year I received a notice from the state saying that I owed $500 + extra taxes and $100+ interest penalty from that year he got angry with me when I mentioned the "armies of lawyers and accountants." I brought the forms Gertie had signed off on to my new accountant, who quickly noted that Gertie had entered a wrong --- too low --- income figure from my W-2. He suggested that I call Gertie and see if he'd pay the interest charge, as most firms do when they make a mistake on a client's tax form.
I waited for a week after April 15 of this year to call, figuring he'd be very busy up to that day and needed a week to decompress. I was right about the latter; his minion told me old Ken had taken that week off, but that he'd be given my message. I waited 'til the next week. No call from his office. I called once again, and got another assurance that he would be told that I called, and that "Ken" was "in a meeting". I waited another week. No call. I called once more, and was told Gertie would be notified. This was a simple request to make good on a simple math mistake by Ken Gertie, CPA. This time, I waited one day, then called again. His person told me Ken would get my message. About a half hour later Gertie himself finally called.
He said, "I can't do anything for you."
I said, "You mean you won't pay the interest charge?"
He said, "No. You had the the use of that money all this time (Strange logic, huh? But I ALSO didn't want to be charged 25% rent for that money by Gov. Murphy, thanks to Mr. Gertie's incompetence.). And you called during the busiest time of the year."
I wasn't sure if he meant when I was his client or the five times I called in four weeks after this past April 15. But even though taxes under covid rules could be filed up 'til May 15 Mr. Gertie wasn't SO busy that he couldn't take off for a week "during the busiest time of year." And I'm not allowed a couple of questions each tax season, about MY taxes, and the fact that I was or had been PAYING him?
He went on to say, "I should've charged you for the time for all the questions you asked (I asked about six questions --- maybe --- over three years.)"
I replied, "But you did charge me!"
He cut me off, saying, "Yeah, well, I didn't charge you enough! Have a nice day." I tried to say, "But YOU made the mistake!", but all I heard was "Click."
I had hoped that Mr. Gertie would've made the honorable gesture, reimbursing me for his error, and I was prepared to leave an at least neutral review, but he chose a path that most other CPA's apparently will not ethically do to a customer, past or present.