The Magic of Success plus: Why I gave up giving tax advice

The Magic of Success plus: Why I gave up giving tax advice

Still playing it safe and only meeting online for now. What about you?

Below you'll find more real-life practical ideas and insights to help you achieve success, plus:?Why I gave up giving tax advice - in case you were wondering.

Lastly, this week's fun item is a dozen things clients say that wind up their accountant.

3 practical tips I shared recently in 1-2-1 sessions

My mentoring clients appreciated these tips in the context of their issues, challenges and problems. I hope you will find them helpful too.

  1. Underlying issues to fix:?The pandemic and lockdown didn't cause all of the problems you face today. The end of lockdown may provide a small boost but you still need to fix those underlying issues, challenges and problems. You can’t wait until you’re 'back to normal' at the office, because that may never happen.
  2. Constant change:?Change is going to be a constant feature for all accounting practices over the next few years - possibly forever. I can help you here - as long as you accept the need to change your mindset and accept the need to become more adaptable, and more responsive to change.
  3. Life is?not punishing you:?Some things that happen you don't like - that's normal. All you can do is your best in the circumstances in which you find yourself with the resources you have available. And that now includes having me in your corner. As long as you can say you've done your best, then that will always be good enough.

More on mentoring >>>

1-2-1 strategic and practical advice for you and your practice

It all starts with an informal chat on the phone or on zoom. I'll ask you to tell me about the biggest issue you face. And anything else on your mind. Go on - book a call now. It costs nothing and could prove to be very worthwhile.

Book a call now >>>

Tax Advice Network

Lead generation for tax advisers and tax accountants

Given increasing interest in this lead generation Network, the monthly subs are increasing by 40% from August. And we still have no long term commitment so members can drop out any time - but that rarely happens in practice. ?More info for tax advisers here >>>

Tax support when you need it - No subs. No need to register.

Anyone can use the website to source tax specialists - without paying us anything.

Tax Advice Network - FindATaxAdviser.online

Why I gave up giving tax advice

This is a very different blog post to usual. I hope it will be of interest to you even though it does not contain any of my usual insights, guidance and advice.

Thirteen years ago, in July 2008, I authored the lead comment article in Taxation magazine: Why I gave up giving tax advice. It explained the reasons for the decision I had made 2 years earlier and this caused quite a storm.

13 years on and you can now read an abbreviated version of that article. I suspect much of it will resonate with accountants and tax advisers of a certain age. And it will intrigue younger readers who may be astonished by some the issues I mention. I’m not sure much has changed for the better during the last 13 years!

If you've ever wondered why I gave up giving tax advice, you can find out here.

My expose was quite shocking back in the day as I was a past Chair of the ICAEW Tax Faculty, had been a tax partner at two top firms and had built a significant profile as a tax commentator and speaker.

I explain the frustrations I experienced and the options I considered. And I summarise the double-speak and complexity that I found increasingly hard to explain to clients. You have my respect if you have stuck with it!

Read more >>>

Fun time - 12 statements guaranteed to wind up an accountant

I imagine you've heard most of these at some time or another:

  1. "I just popped everything in this carrier bag here - I knew you could sort it all out for me."
  2. "My friend's accountant says....."
  3. "I need a mortgage reference - you will make the figures look good for me won't you?"
  4. "A friend in the pub said that he's certain that...."
  5. "My van was broken into and........ ... all of my receipts were stolen"
  6. "How can I have made such much profit when I've no money left in the bank"
  7. "My son has been onto the HMRC web site and......."
  8. " I've already signed my tax return. Just fill in the details as usual"
  9. "I've put the cost of the new extension through, as I do make coffee in the new kitchen while I am working from home"
  10. "I've checked my tax return and it's wrong...the profit figure on the accounts isn't the same as the taxable profits figure on the tax return"
  11. "You can't have our bank statements we have shredded them. It said on the news that the police wanted everyone to shred their bank statements to avoid ID theft"
  12. "I won't be able to pay you until someone has paid me."?Always said AFTER you have completed their accounts.

You'll find plenty more to make you laugh on the ?Accounting Fun blog here >>>

If you know of any fun accountant or tax related anecdotes, please let me know.

Feedback welcome

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Let's have a chat...

Let's have a chat if any of the above topics resonated with you. I love supporting and encouraging accountants who want to secure more referrals, reach and results.

You can take your chances here now: 07769 692890

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Mark Lee FCA???????provides strategic advice, talks and mentoring to accountants and tax advisers who want to improve their reach, referrals and results. He is also Chairman of the?Tax Advice Network , the UK’s largest network of independent tax advisers.

Mark has long been a popular speaker for UK accountants both on stage and online. Informed, entertaining and commercial he also debunks hype and misconceptions. Earlier in his career he was a partner in two top firms. He has a number of voluntary roles including being Treasurer of The Magic Circle.

BookMarkLee.co.uk

James Perry

Accounting Exam & Career Mentor | TEDx Speaker | NI 40 U40 '18 & '19

3 年

Love #3 Mark that life is not punishing you - all about how quick you can get back up on the horse! I also refer myself to my clients as their "corner man" - it's vital to have another person who can offer some wise council!

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