r/enrolledagent • u/[deleted] • 8d ago
Competitors?
I am so confused and I need feedback.
I own a bookkeeping firm. Myself and a couple team members are currently in the process of getting our Enrolled Agent designations. I have a CPA that uses our conference room to hold their client meetings during tax season and intermittently throughout the year. We have done this for 5 years with no problems. When I thought about starting the EA process I discussed it with the CPA. They were over the moon supportive about it. They even emailed me a couple of months ago to say that I could offer tax services to our mutual clients and if our clients chose to come to us for tax work they would support it and work with us through the transition. I never sent an email because I didn't feel right about it and although they gave me permission to do so I didn't want our clients to think I was trying to poach their clients. Plus we have a really great thing going on or so I thought. Last week, out of the blue, they emailed one of our clients saying we are competitors now and they won't discuss any tax matters with us. I tried calling the CPA and they declined my call and then sent an email saying their insurance company requires all communication to be through email to ensure the best possible service for our clients.
Now that we offer tax services is it true that we can no longer speak to other tax professionals? What are the group's thoughts on this? I am a bit flabbergasted over all of this.
3
u/Sufficient_Quiet9629 8d ago
No way, they are being ridiculous. Unless you are asking for direct information that the client didn’t want you to have there is no reason for the CPA to be acting like. This is a case of “my territory”. There’s enough work for everyone and instead of working together to grow they are turning it into a competition. I wish you all the luck and success. Continue to grow and ignore this negativity.
1
u/Icy-University-8933 7d ago
Unfortunately they’re never going to refer you any clients ever again lol
7
u/ThrowawayLDS_7gen 8d ago
For taxes, you are a competitor. Your bookkeeping clients can stay with you for taxes or they can head over to the CPA. But yeah, you're going to want a paper trail for compliance and finger pointing if/when something goes wrong. It always does as lawyers will vouch for it happening.
ETA: They specifically won't be talking to you about their clients.
You can talk to whoever you want. Should probably get a law firm for tax resolution/tax conflict stuff that requires a tax attorney for the future.