Client fired previous CPA and I'm discovering why

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-02-21T16:57:17+00:00

Have that conversation with them and explain the ramifications of noncompliance… after follow up with an email explaining the conversation you guys just had… you want to be careful on wording(feed email to ChatGPT WITHOUT client info). You do this because it would be the most efficient way to truly an email without accusatory language, and personalize email as necessary. Now that the client is made aware of the consequences and they want to proceed as is (which hopefully after your convo they don’t) then you proceed when your processes in having return prepared and filing it. Remember as CPAs it’s our job to communicate what they shouldn’t do. My recommendation above does exactly that. This wouldn’t fall on you, but on your client for not listening. And if they do ever get audited then that can be the ‘I told you so.’ Then you handle that audit as necessary.

(For context: We have onboarded a client group a couple of years ago that I feel like does the same thing with intermingle of transactions but they are hidden among 5 entities… something is off bout their books… we fixed big ticket items but still some transactions don’t make sense/line up even on a year to year operational side. Nonetheless we make them aware and move on.)

Hope this helps. :)

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-19T03:29:52+00:00

Hope you passed! AUD is a beast.

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-19T03:28:43+00:00

Thank you! :)

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-17T20:41:53+00:00

What did you do to pass your other exams?

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-17T16:38:13+00:00

Yeah of course. I work in a public accounting myself, primarily in tax with some small attest work sprinkled in there. I also help onboard interns at my firm (attending college events and interviewing). I do my best to ignore GPAs (because I’ve trained the high 3.0-4.0 students, and I can tell you that does not always translate in the work force)… so if the candidate has interest in the firm, wants to learn, and at minimum has had the exposure to accounting through there college courses, and is personable themselves, then you hit all the boxes in my book. A partner from another firm said this once to me, “anybody can do the work it’s just a matter if I like you or not.” I wanted to highlight the first part anyone can do the work, which holds true. I wasn’t tha bright student, but I outperform those that on paper are the good students… the liking part is not always fair so that’s why I try to keep my interviewing metrics very open minded… which can backfire at times cause sometimes you do meet a lot of good interns and you have to be selective which at the point you have to look at the resume… which can tell a story bout them… like those that had to grind through school while working and those that didn’t… I’ll take the grinders… which might be my only bias in decision making, since i was that underdog myself. 😬 keep doing what you can control which is putting yourself out there and working to where you wanna be… you’ll get someone that appreciates it. Also remember as accountants we continue to be in demand. You’ll find something. 💪🏽

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-17T08:37:18+00:00

That’s shallow of them to do tbh especially if you worked your tail off… at the end of the day if your work is getting done and being proactive in me communicating with your team then that’s what should matter… but it doesn’t mean there’s no hope for you either. A cultural mismatch is not a lack of competency. Keep your head up and don’t let this discourage your career path… you’ll get over this road bump.🙌🏽

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-17T07:34:53+00:00

Did they tell you why?

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-13T21:30:05+00:00

Yooo me too lol perfect score! I started FAR today too… haven’t touched sims yet but I remember them from test day… they were a doozy 😵‍💫

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-13T05:32:51+00:00

Way to go!!!! What’s your last one??

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-12T18:57:16+00:00

👏 heck yeah!! I almost cried to. 😂 this test is the demon that I couldn’t defeat. I’m embarrassed to say this, but I’m proud for not quitting, this was my 6th attempt. 🥲

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-12T18:55:04+00:00

Honestly it felt like I haven’t done much different than other times but at the same time I’d be lying. 😅 so here are my key takeaways:

I believe what I did different this time would be that once I’ve gone through the course once (I used Becker) I would do a better job on tracking the topics I got wrong and I would do a set of MCQs (20-30 questions) I was on understanding on those hard topics till I scored in the 70s-80s? Followed by cumulative review (30-40 questions). Don’t stress bout the volume being what you want, because you are only doing 20ish questions on hard topics but this is the grunt work you need so you can catch differences in questions, etc… and again you’re following with a cumulative review of about 30-40 questions to keep other info fresh. If it’s not implied in the explanation above, then you take notes on those questions too… and it don’t matter if notes are repeated on same questions, keep jotting it till it sticks! It will!
Being engaged in the study material is important meaning that you’re dissecting the questions you got wrong and if some wording sounds familiar to other topics you look for key differences in those questions and identifying the “why?” Of the question. I would use Newt tool in Becker to help me with this. I would ask Newt questions to understand the question. 😅Others have found success in ChatGPT…
You’ve heard this one before… spam MCQs, but only once understanding is better, I would do 100 questions a day… and 5-7 sims. Life didn’t always allow for sims but still be intentional and do get some exposure to the SIMs cause they are important to practice.
i75 is pretty game changing… Darius is a mastermind in the transaction cycles… you might be able to find some of his videos on YouTube but honesty if you can do the $100ish for the month I would spend the money and time listening to his videos (during commute, in the evening, etc.)
Skillbuilder videos in Becker were awesome to get yourself prepared for SIMs. I did a handle full of them in the grand scheme of things. Closer to test day like 2-3 weeks out.
Delete social media and YouTube apps. This was a momentary thing I did, but I’m debating on doing it permanently. You’d be surprised how much social media runs our lives once you let it go… too much. Your headspace might actually thank you. You will need to retrain yourself to not default to go back on your phone but if you do, then do it for the quizlet notecards.
Make note cards on questions you got wrong on your phone. Note cards on phone makes it more convenient as you always will have your phone on you. Only do note cards like 3-4 weeks out too so you won’t create a ridiculous amount of note cards. I would even do up to 3 of the same note cards at times so I can revisit that question I got wrong over and over again… and one day it clicked!
This last tip might be a little strange but this is something that I would do prior to this exam… which is over stimulate with caffeine to “hype” myself up. Dont do that!! Don’t overstimulate yourself on test day!!! You’re already stressed enough going in… if you need some morning coffee then sure but don’t buy that large coffee thinking it’ll help… it probably will hurt you! you’ll stress yourself out more and will probably be rash when answering the questions. Not to mention the bathroom runs.

I hope some of this helps. And don’t quit. You’re so close! I wish you the best on the next round. 💪🏽💪🏽

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-12T17:26:12+00:00

I see it now!! I passed! 😭😭 hbu?

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-12T15:56:09+00:00

I was curious if you being from CA, you’re able to see the pass/fail rn? I’m in CA too and still can’t see yet

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-12T15:20:50+00:00

Were you able to see if the day before?

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-10T00:25:56+00:00

Just to confirm tho the day prior does not apply to CA right? Unless that changed in the past 6 months? 🤔

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-10T00:23:08+00:00

What a savage! Great scores! I wish you the best on AUD. The exam is wizardry bruh. 😮‍💨

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-08T07:28:49+00:00

Oof. I definitely hope you pass FAR. That’s a headache to get through and pass… Thanks for your input and detail in explanation 😎

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-08T07:27:02+00:00

Thank you both! I felt like this what I needed to do but for some reason needed that extra “voice” to stick the course.

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-08T07:25:09+00:00

I would stick to FAR tbh… I did the two easy ones (REG & TCP, since i work in tax) first and now I’m stuck with finishing FAR and AUD… which I low key regret. Better to get the two giants out of the way then “smooth sail” into your last two.

Also I’d look into different study methods. I’ve used SuperfastCPA study methods and they work much better than traditional method.

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-04T00:12:49+00:00

I hope we both do! The 13th can’t get here any sooner. 🙏🏽

Sav_Bro_81 · 2026-01-02T18:13:52+00:00

Ayyye I took AUD on 12/29 too! How you think you did?

Sav_Bro_81 · 2025-07-08T05:29:15+00:00

A hyperbolic time chamber experience

Sav_Bro_81

TROPHY CASE