What Does An Accountant Cost?

By:  Stephen C. Williams, CPA – Partner

Accounting is a personalized service similar to a finger print with no two being exactly alike.  The client can greatly influence cost by their internal capabilities and willingness to simplify or complicate the job at hand.

My view with accounting is usually less is more.  Fewer general ledger accounts mean less reconciliation and categorization which also can translate to cost.  Accountants must also factor risk into the equation.  In times like these there is a propensity for suing accountants in today’s world.  There is a debate at times if accounting is a science or an art.  My view lies in the art side as there are many rules but an ever greater number of exceptions.  If you’re not playing in this area then you are not fully engaged.  Intent has a great deal of influence in tax law – additionally ordinary and necessary can be truly different for each business.

Since we guarantee our clients’ satisfaction we try to take the risk away from this question. Ultimately a client greatly influences the final product by how much contribution they can provide coming from their internal capabilities.  We only do what the client cannot or chooses not to do.