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September 22, 2010

Almost overnight, American CPAs have started to drink, do drugs and philander.

EasyRider_1 (1).jpg
Columbia Pictures

Not really. But those folks do seem to be getting out more.

Why are we talking about accountants here, anyway? Well, it's good to escape your own neighborhood--and on a regular basis. A real road trip--like drive from DC to Charlottesville or Chapel Hill. Or at least a virtual one. Like take a vacation from lawyers. Consider meeting engineers, actuaries, doctors, sales people, chimney sweeps, cocktail waitresses named Merle--you get the idea.

And accountants. As with lawyers, real accountants (i.e., they love what they do) put clients first. As a friend of ours once said:

Once I start gazing at my clients and stop gazing at my wallet, I have a life. Because I am doing what is important. Amazingly, my wallet takes care of itself.

Accountants, also like lawyers, are reputed to be careful and a bit risk-averse. And self-important and boring. But we never completely bought that (about the accountants, anyway). For many businesses, their day-to-day accounting firms are more cost-efficient, solution-oriented and productive than their outside law firms.

You and yours starting a business and putting your money, sweat and ideas into it? You aim to be the new Apple, new Starbucks, new P&G? Well, that's just great. Do hire both a CPA and a lawyer you respect and trust--you need both kinds of consigliere--and do it well before you incorporate. But find that CPA firm first.

Our fellow Midwesterner Michelle Golden at Golden Practices likes good practicing accountants, too. She's noticed all the accounting blogs sprouting up (nearly 200 so far).

Posted by Holden Oliver (Kitzbühel Desk) at September 22, 2010 11:59 PM

Comments

Wow, two mentions in two days on WAC?! Thanks Holden, I'm honored... wishing there were 2000 CPA blogs, but we'll get there eventually...

Posted by: Michelle Golden at September 23, 2010 08:08 AM

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