One of the most important things you can do as a CPA is establish trust with your clients. Not only will it make the process of working with them much easier and more enjoyable; it’s a sure-fire way to retain clients and get them to recommend you to others. Here are 5 things a CPA needs to be in order to win their clients’ trust.
- Be involved
Your client cares about their business, which means you should too. Not only will asking questions about their company show that you’re genuinely interested in them and their success—it will allow you to offer better advice as you become more familiar with their business model, industry, and market. In addition to asking questions, do your own research to learn more about their business and situation.
- Be consistent
The best CPAs are completely honest with their clients and follow through on what they say they’ll do. As you deliver consistently good results over time, your clients will come to trust you not because of what you say, but because of what you do. Being consistent also applies to how you work and interact with clients. Having a structure in place for streamlined operations will help your clients know what to expect and understand what’s going on—which is a huge confidence booster.
- Be considerate
Remember, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Even if your advice is spot on, you’re not going to win anyone over by offending them. So before you share your thoughts, take a moment to consider how you can deliver them in a way that won’t come off as condescending or confrontational.
- Be open
Being open can help you in more ways than one. Being open in how you communicate will help your clients feel confident and well taken care of, while being open in your thinking will allow you to reach out to others in order to offer better advice and solutions. Both things will help earn your clients’ trust.
- Be patient
At the end of the day, building trust isn’t something you can do in a few minutes, or even a few hours. As in any relationship, building trust with your clients takes time. Don’t expect them to be 100% on board the first time you meet. Instead, give them the freedom to take their time, consider all the options, and make a decision when they feel they’re ready. Remember that keeping up a steady relationship over time is often the best way to build confidence in your services.