I found myself looking for a new company to prepare my taxes this year. Unfortunately, I stumbled upon Checks and Balances. I have to say, this was the most horrendous experience I've had in a long time.
I called to schedule my appointment and found the lady "Cathy" to be open to working with me. We discussed if it would be appropriate for me to sit with the owner or if she felt my initial needs could be sufficiently addressed by her. Ultimately, we both decided I would meet with her and schedule a separate appointment with the owner to address my more in-depth business questions.
I explained the business I'm in and that I receive many 1099 documents every year. I also asked about the approximate cost for her to complete my filing. The costs she quoted were in line with other places I've worked with. Cathy suggested we schedule our appointment for 1 1/2 hours because I hadn't been there before and that I had numerous 1099s to work through. Everything was going perfectly.
Upon arriving at the office, I waited for a few only minutes. Cathy opened her office door and basically told me to take a seat. No greeting whatsoever. I brushed it off, understanding that tax season is burdensome and stressful for everyone. Things were progressing, until she asked if I had bought or sold crypto currency. Actually, she said "you didn't buy or sell crypto, correct?". Once I told her I had, the appointment went down hill from there. I got the impression that she wasn't experienced in filing for people who have played with crypto. She began to present an increasingly unpleasant demeanor. She put earbuds in and listened to a video. I can only assume it was abut filing for crypto. Once she finished her video, she laughed really loudly, popped her earbuds out, and said, "that's interesting". We moved on...
Once Cathy began to enter the information on my first 1099, she let out a lengthy sigh. She finished entering the first one and said, "well, there's one down". After yet another deep inhale she let out an even longer sigh of disgust. I finally had enough and asked if my taxes were going to be too much of a burden for her. Not answering my question, she asked if I wanted to take them elsewhere. I explained my interpretation of her demeanor and that I was getting the impression she didn't want to work with me.
I reminded her that when we initially scheduled my appointment, I have 15-20 1099s. That was one of the main reason she booked me for an hour and a half. I have no idea why the appointment went the way it did. Someone with her obvious disdain for her work should find something more fitting to her personality. Perhaps not be in a position requiring civility towards customers, at the very least.
Needless to say, I will never return to Checks and Balances. read more
