After over 40 years fighting the IRS, I have gotten a pretty thick skin. Rarely do I take umbrage to snide comments but one recent idot got to me.
In my normal course of business, I come into contact with other professionals be they Accountants, CPAs or Attorneys. I am generally light hearted and I find most who are competent to be of that same nature. Competent people have no reason to doubt their abilities and value to others. They normally go about exercising their wisdom in quiet and efficient manner. That's me in a nutshell.
A recent situation involving another “accountant” found slings being thrown about me not being a CPA and by inference that I was a know nothing. If I didn't have to work with this person on behalf of a good client, I'd let her have it right between her uniformed blind eyes. But no, I am being polite to the degree possible without giving up every vestige on my self respect. We all must stand up for ourselves or be abused. Not me brother!
To be clear, CPAs take the extra education needed to be qualified for the CPA tests. When passed states issue them a CPA license. The license does suggest some level of familiarity with items covered on the test but hardly is evidence of competency. Things like day to day experience and problem solving are part of any skill set that can be called competence plus people skills.. In the USA, 50% of Accountants are non-CPAs and thereby not licensed. Does that say they are less competent. I don't think so, I myself am competent, just ask my clients, and though I may sound self centered, I'd say my competence equals or exceeds most CPAs other than those specializing in Foreign Trade Accountancy. am even Forensics.
I have an upcoming meeting with the person bad mouthing me as incompetent and am mulling over just how vicious I will be in that talk. Believe me, it won't take much becuase the truly incompetent are very sensitive and fold quickly under any examination of their ability and know how. Degrees aside, it is the practical know how and ability to smell financial bullshit and present tough reports and audit defenses that makes the grade. I am fully in that arena.
I may report again on this instance as it develops. But be aware, there are many many non-CPA Accountants like me who are quite competent and few charge the inflated fees to cover their student loans.
Best,
Donn Marier
DM-Your Own CFO