[LongShot]

I just had to call a buddy of mine and tell him he needs to take his taxes to a CPA firm. I was going to do them for him, but they were simply beyond my ability/comfort zone. Anyone else ever have to do something like that? I just figured I’d rather disappoint him now than disappoint him later when an IRS audit is tearing his return apart. Without going into detail, there were multiple major life events in his last year that left his taxes both difficult as well as intertwined with another taxpayer’s. And he did not have an attorney during one of these major life events, so that made things even worse. And the other taxpayer absolutely would have interfered with the application for CPA license I’m about to submit if they’d found out about it (note: I was only going to figure, not file, the taxes. And I wasn’t going to charge the person one cent-they’ve been through enough!).

I do not now, nor have I ever, worked in tax. I’ve worked for govt and for a bank, so taxes in general aren’t really my thing. Sure, I could pass REG, but I’ve no doubt people here who actually work in tax could tell me there’s a major difference between those two things . Am I the only one who gets halfway annoyed at friends/family who hear “CPA” and automatically assume I’m an expert in anything accounting? You wouldn’t go to an oncologist for a sinus infection, so don’t don’t assume the staff accountant can solve any tax situations. Want me to balance your books? I’m your guy. Have complicated tax matters of a certain degree? I know a guy, but it ain’t me.

It was just disappointing I couldn’t help him out. But it really sucks to go through this whole process and then have to tell a friend, “I can’t do that. I’m not good enough.”

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[Skynet]

Don't be hard on yourself. If you know you can't help your friend then you did the right thing referring him to someone else. Some CPA's only specialize in certain areas and don't know a lick of taxes. Even professional Tax Preparers who have been in the business for many years often refer clients to other professionals like CPA's knowing they can't help that client because it is beyond their expertise. There's no shame in it. It's actually normal.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[Anonymous]

Agree. CPA says you have your basic knowledge of a very broad source of topics. We all know they don't test deep into any particular topic – you basically just have some exposure. As a staff accountant, you'll only have a few years experience at best, and in an unrelated area at that. You have a LONG way to go until you're an expert, and sounds like you'll never be an expert with tax. Doing some simple returns is no biggie, but that sounds like it should be done by someone with some substantial experience. Don't get down on yourself.

[govtec]

This actually happened to me at the gym the other day. I told him that since I've never filed small business type tax return that I couldn't help him and he should seek someone with experience in that area. Then I got that look from him.

A lot of outside people do not understand how certain areas in tax is so complicated and they just assume you know everything since you passed the CPA test. It is very frustrating sometime when friends and family ask for help and it makes you out to be the bad guy who don't want to lend a hand or advice.

BEC - 12/13
FAR - 5/14
AUD - 8/14
REG - 2/15
Passed 6 of 6 CLEP Exam

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

Passing the CPA is simply passing a test. Whether or not you're good in your chosen field of accounting will probably shake out during your career. I had a teacher for an intermediate class that was a CPA but her ability to communicate both orally and via email was terrible…it made me wonder how she passed the exam and how could anyone employ her. Her knowledge of the course was also really bad.

That being said, the CPA is a title that says you're safe enough to work with people and you won't steal all their money. It doesn't mean you can handle any and all accounting related issues. If all CPAs were awesome then the job opportunities wouldn't constantly be there.

My wife is a CPA, has been for almost 10 years, and makes a very healthy living in audit. She knows nothing about tax and doesn't even pretend to. I'm sure if we started renting property or running a business we'd consider getting somebody who does tax – it has something to do with opportunity cost.

Moral of the story: Be happy you passed the exam and you're employed. You can't do everything in every accounting textbook and that's fine. Validate yourself, don't base your worth on whether or not you can do Joe's tax return – you're better than that.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[MydnightDarkfyre]

I think it's a shame that society assumes CPA=Tax Expert. I am an Auditor. I barely feel comfortable doing my own taxes in TurboTax 😉 That doesn't make me any less of a CPA candidate. I wonder if the AICPA could start a campaign:

“CPAs – They do more than taxes!”

FAR: 82 (Becker) 07/09/2014
AUD: 80 (Becker) 10/01/2014
BEC: 76 (Becker) 11/26/2014
REG: 82 (Becker) 02/16/2015

GA Licensed CPA 8/7/2015

CISA: 564 (PASSED) 6/11/2016 - Certification pending

[KBinMN]

I turn down work for friends and some family if I feel like not doing them. I don't care if it is easy or not.

And I wouldn't feel bad about it in any way if I wasn't going to charge anyways. You are talking about a complicated situation that I wouldn't want to be in the middle of. And not getting paid? Yeah, no thanks.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't say I get annoyed by it. It amuses me that people think the fact that I'm about to be a CPA means I can offer them sound advice on their investment portfolio or their tax return. But I can understand their perspective. #1 – To be a CPA, you are required to study accounting and financial concepts in much more depth than most people ever will, both in college and in your exam prep, so it's understandable that “outsiders” will see you as an expert, of sorts. #2 – When it comes to money matters, legal matters, and health matters, people tend to be much more comfortable seeking advice from someone they know and trust, so it is human nature to start within your own circle and at least get a reference, if not a solution.

I have a friend who is an audit manager for a Big 4 firm. I would never ask her for help with a complex tax issue because, as an accountant, I know she isn't trained to provide the service I need. I would instead ask her if she can refer me to a tax colleague. But I might very well call a dermatologist friend if I have a medical question unrelated to dermatology. He did go to medical school and do rotations in several different specialties, so, as someone uneducated in medicine and the real scope of a dermatologist's training, my perspective is that he might be able to help.

[san4596]

Long Shot – You are killing me here. I am going to die if you do not explain what the complex tax situation if, as I am obsessed with TAX! I love complex tax issues that require me to learn something. So, please explain for my sake. 😀

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Mamabear]

I have never done my own taxes. Never. And I am 35 years old. CPA does not equate to taxes in my book and I will be the first one to say so when I get, “Oh, so you can do my taxes now.” No, no I cannot.

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[jm962011]

I do tax work, but not that kind of tax work 😉

meaning.. I work in corporate tax which is different from personal tax. Society doesn't see a difference.

[Author]

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