Business clients regularly tell me that they prepare their own tax returns because they have excellent bookkeeping skills and know as much about their taxes as any accountant, so why not save the money? I hear the same reasoning in estate planning, real estate transactions and drafting documents to buy or sell a business. Even assuming comparable technical competency between the accountant and yourself, the answer is that you use an accountant to prepare your return so you have someone to blame if something goes wrong.
Of course, most business people, even if they have technical skills in accounting or law or real estate, are just not as experienced at looking at the overall picture as the professional who does it every day and, even if they are, a second opinion is always worth the price. And while you may be technically able to create the return, contract or document, you are spending precious hours away from what you’re really good at doing – running your business. It’s a double whammy; you’re not paying attention to what you’re successful at AND you’re spending precious time working in an area outside of your expertise.
When things go wrong, most of us, almost desperately, look for someone else to blame. The relentless television commercials for personal injury attorneys are a testimonial to this notion. Even the most well adjusted person would, if it were a rational option, blame someone else when life gets ugly. Among other benefits, hiring accountants and lawyers gives you that opportunity. If I always have the helm, then every mishap is my fault. It’s a simple tip, but a true one. Stick to what you’re good at and pay others to do the rest. You’ll stay busy making your business work and you will have formed a “team” to take care of the rest.
Of course, most business people, even if they have technical skills in accounting or law or real estate, are just not as experienced at looking at the overall picture as the professional who does it every day and, even if they are, a second opinion is always worth the price. And while you may be technically able to create the return, contract or document, you are spending precious hours away from what you’re really good at doing – running your business. It’s a double whammy; you’re not paying attention to what you’re successful at AND you’re spending precious time working in an area outside of your expertise.
When things go wrong, most of us, almost desperately, look for someone else to blame. The relentless television commercials for personal injury attorneys are a testimonial to this notion. Even the most well adjusted person would, if it were a rational option, blame someone else when life gets ugly. Among other benefits, hiring accountants and lawyers gives you that opportunity. If I always have the helm, then every mishap is my fault. It’s a simple tip, but a true one. Stick to what you’re good at and pay others to do the rest. You’ll stay busy making your business work and you will have formed a “team” to take care of the rest.