I want my old accountant back

[RubyCat]

Dh and I filed taxed jointly for the first time last year.  His late father had been a partner in an accounting firm and dh had his heart set on going back to "John," who'd taken over his tax prep for the last 10 years or so, with the provision that if I wasn't happy, we could go back to my accountant, who I think very highly of, the following year.

I was less than thrilled with John.  I don't doubt his competence, but he simply rubbed me the wrong way.  He implied that my accountant had not handled certain things correctly.  I took it as a possible difference in their approaches but I didn't like his tone and I've never had any issues with my accountant, who's done my taxes since 1995.  Another issue I had was the way he questioned every deduction I claimed, including a remark about how many career-related books I had bought the previous year.  He put me very much on the defensive.  My accountant's attitude has always been that if I can back them up, deductions are no problem.  And quiet honestly, I didn't have that many.

Anyway...  here we are, well into tax season and I've been putting off calling my old accountant for a few reasons.  I never called him at all last year.  Should I have called him and let him know where I was going and why? Would that have been the polite thing to do? How much of an explanation, if any, do I owe him?  Part of me would love to tell him how annoyed I was by the other guy, but that would not be polite, either.

Also, there are only two days next week that I'm available to meet before I go in for surgery and I don't expect to be able to do much for a couple of weeks after.  Am I out of line in asking if he can meet with me on either of those days?  How much of my situation is it proper to share?  If I'd gone back to him last year, I'd feel better about the whole thing.  Now I feel awkward. 

Is it possible to make this turn out okay, or would I be better off finding a brand new accountant? 

[gramma dishes]

I don't think you necessarily should owe him an explanation for why you didn't see him last year.  If you want, you could just say that due to a death in the family which momentarily altered your and  your husband's situation making it more complex, the two of you had agreed to both go to his accountant for just that one year only.

BUT it's already the end of March!  Most accountants would have a very hard time fitting you in now.  Most are solidly booked up until the middle of April.

If you want to give it a try, I'd call and see first if he could possibly accommodate you.  If not, you'll have to make other plans anyway.  If he does manage to find a way to work you in to his schedule, I might mention the above as to why you went to your husband's accountant for last year's return, but I would not mention how much you disliked that accountant.  The fact that you want to come back to him already tells him that, and you don't want him to think you would talk bad about him if you ever need to change accountants again in the future.

[hyzenthlay]

He implied that my accountant had not handled certain things correctly.  I took it as a possible difference in their approaches but I didn't like his tone and I've never had any issues with my accountant, who's done my taxes since 1995.

And have you been pulled for an audit? If not then how could you have any issues?  Now I'm not saying the new guy wasn't ham handed in how he approached it, but I would at least listen to what he had to say.  (My DH prepares taxes, and I'm an accountant myself.)

As for asking you for proof, that's just a matter of style. Some accountants want to be certain their work will stand up to an audit, others will let you do as you wish and if you can't support what you claimed, well it's really not their problem.

IF they ask, I would tell the person you'd like to return to that you used someone else last year due to a time crunch and the ease of having your DH take the paperwork in for you, even if that's a white lie.   But they may not even ask. People try new accountants all the time, and find that the switch wasn't so good.

[JoyinVirginia]

Call! Just call. Don't overthink. Be honest about what you tried last year, and that you missed him.
You can always file for an extension if he can't get you in next week.

[RubyCat]

You're right I've been overthinking - something I do way too often. I left a message asking to meet to get takes done. I'll call again Monday afternoon if I don't hear anything.

I do realize how late in the season it is and though I've never done an extension, wouldn't mind doing so this year. Considering that as an option is a great idea and knowing that I do have that option takes some of the pressure off. 

I am not an accountant (though I used to work with them). My taxes are not that complicated and I understood the approach my accountant used. The other guy does more corporate stuff and I think that may be the difference. Also, if it matters my accountant is also an enrolled agent and though I have never been (and hope to never be!) audited, I know that I have backup for everything. It's just that my accountant is pleasant to work with and dh's guy made me feel like I was being audited then and there.  Though if I do get an appointment with my guy, I am going to ask him to bring me up to speed on the item in question.  I expect to walk away with a better understanding of it and i don't or if it just doesn't sound right, I will get another opinion. I like to keep everything on the up and up and not play games - especially with the IRS.