Socially navigating the business world is vital to success in the Bay Area. Venture capitalists may have the resources to invest in a new business, but they also need to know what new product or service people will be most interested in.
Engineers and high-level technology may surround the CEO of a big tech firm, but leaders should understand the needs of the customers who will use the final product. To be the best CPA firm in San Francisco, we know that our connection with our clients, both business leaders and individuals, depends on understanding their taxes, financial needs and goals.
A disconnect between an accountant and a client can lead to trouble. Sometimes, accountants might think they “know everything” and don’t take the time to listen to their clients. They could ignore details that could be opportunities to leverage income via a tax return. For instance, could the accountant be overlooking important deductions for a tech start-up? New businesses can get deductibles on things like business licenses and permits, commissions, equipment purchases, and furniture or décor. Our Safe Harbor team is very familiar with the needs of a new start-up business. Instead of making assumptions, we still sit down with each client to review their specific situations. Because honesty, you can always learn something new!
It’s not only a business transaction; it’s a relationship.
We work on our relationships to be one of the best CPA firms in San Francisco. There are several important ingredients to good customer relations. This blog from Appointy discusses seven effective steps for building strong client relationships We’d like to touch on three key ingredients to a good collaboration: communication, respect, and trust. Communication means listening to our clients and confirming they understand where we are going. We don’t assume to know their needs based on their income bracket. For example, a high-net-worth Bay Area resident might have different types of assets to juggle. They could own a home in the Presidio, which they only live in for part of the year while spending the rest of the year in Italy. They may rent their San Francisco home when they are out of town. On top of that, they might have a drop-ship business or be managing overseas assets. We listen carefully and consider all of the possible tax deductions and benefits they have coming to them.
Respect is earned. If a meeting with our CPA team is scheduled, we are respectfully on time and prepared. If we are still with another client, we’ll let our waiting clients know as soon as possible and make sure they are comfortable while they wait. And if it’s possible to schedule a conference call with a busy San Francisco resident, we do that, too! Trust is built on a foundation, and the way you treat people at the beginning of a relationship is an indication of how they will be treated throughout it. Whether it’s working with an individual , local business owner, or a tech start-up, we always strive to be the best CPA firm in San Francisco!
