the Cost of Personal Accounting Services

My wife and met with a CPA, after regular business hours, due to the nature of the business that I am in. We spent most of the time discussing our current financial plans, our future deductions with our upcoming baby and then filing of a 1040(Individual Return) for Married filing jointly. Our return was e-filed and any remaining communication was done through email, fax and phone.

I did have to chase down the CPA with several calls to determine when we would get our refund, but all in all we got prompt service. Since we were a small return I felt like if I didn't persist in calling over and over we would be placed at the bottom of the stack.

If you are in a rush to get your return back, don't wait for the last minute to meet with your accountant. Also, doing business with a small local firm is a good idea if you are a middle income family. If you go to a large, national firm you are likely to get lost in the shuffle amidst larger company returns. Preferential treatment goes to the richest clients more often than not unless you are a long time customer.