Your memberships

[ILLMAS]

Do you somehow let your clients know you are a member of any professional tax organization?  If yes, how? 

 

Thanks

 

MAS

[Pacun]

I am a member of natp (National Association of Tax Professionals) but I don't let my clients know.

Edited January 22, 2015 by Pacun

[Catherine]

I belong to NAEA and NATP.  Certificates (along with my EA certificate and one other that I don't recall off-hand) are up on the wall in my office.  Along with a gorgeous photo of me with my kung fu double broadswords.  

[Lion EA]

I do about the same as Catherine.  If clients mention my working alone, I tell them about my virtual water coolers such as this forum and my favorite local group the NY/CT-ATP (Association of Tax Professionals) if I need to stress that I have backup when needed.

[Pacun]

Maybe we should get a certificate on this forum after answering some questions and posting important information about tax matters. KC and Judy should decide who gets the certificates and they should be huge posters because you learn more here than anywhere else.

[JohnH]

You could do a nice screen shot of your Avatar and frame it.

After all, "ATX Supreme Guru" just about says it all insofar as most clients are concerned.

[Pacun]

I agree JohnH but if you print your Avatar, people will think that ATX stands for Animal Transportation Xpress.

[JohnH]

I thought it meant "Awesome Tax Xpert".

 

I think you could sell that concept to most clients.

[Jack from Ohio]

I am a lifetime member of the NRA.  Does that get me any points?

[mcb39]

I occasionally have a new client ask if I am a CPA.  I give them a firm "No, but I do have a few CPAs as clients!"  My endorsements are also hanging on my office wall and they can look at them or not; as they choose. 

[Jack from Ohio]

Over the decades, the CPA organizations have promoted themselves so well that the American Public thinks that a CPA is the only accounting/tax credential that has any value.  If the IRS would copy some of those processes for EAs and then new FSHP designations we would have much more recognition.

 

Ask any CPA about how much of the test was concerning taxes.  Answers are 10-15% of the test.  Ask an EA how much of the test was concerning taxes, answer 100%.  Therefore, the EA test has more validity at expressing the tax knowledge of the person taking the test.

[Pacun]

I am a lifetime member of the NRA.  Does that get me any points?

 

Yes, you get points when you have PITA clients in front of your membership certificate and gear show up.

[michaelmars]

the bigger the ego wall behind you the better for initial meetings.   When you are waiting for your doctor don't you look at all the certificates they have hanging on their walls?

Edited January 25, 2015 by michaelmars

[MsTabbyKats]

Over the decades, the CPA organizations have promoted themselves so well that the American Public thinks that a CPA is the only accounting/tax credential that has any value.  If the IRS would copy some of those processes for EAs and then new FSHP designations we would have much more recognition.

 

Ask any CPA about how much of the test was concerning taxes.  Answers are 10-15% of the test.  Ask an EA how much of the test was concerning taxes, answer 100%.  Therefore, the EA test has more validity at expressing the tax knowledge of the person taking the test.

 

And how about lawyers?  In NYS...you need a CPA or lawyer "on the premises".  By training, they know the least.

 

Whenever someone asks me "my credentials" I tell them I've been doing this over 20 years...and I have an MBA.  If the person feels that his situation is "so complicated" only a CPA can handle it...I'm more than happy not to take the job.  I actually tell them that they should look for someone else. (IMHO...potential PITAs)

Edited January 25, 2015 by MsTabbyKats