[itooshallpass]

Hi guys,
I work in a small tax firm (10 people) and this will be my first busy season. Thought I’d run this past you awesome folks before asking my boss. I’m wondering if it would be appropriate to ask if I can sit in on a partner-client meeting just to get an idea of how it goes. We all have a very casual relationship with the partners, but they are very professional and careful when it comes to client interactions and info, so I’m unsure. I would like to just get an idea of how the partners approach tax planning with their clients, and how the general flow of the whole engagement runs. But maybe I should just let it be. Eventually they will have me interacting with clients to some extent… What do you think? Is this something any of you have done, on the partner or staff or client end?

[turo9992000]

Usually during the first busy season, you are there to be a producer. They'll load you up and they'll see if you have what it takes.

That being said, there is no harm in asking. They know their clients and they know which ones would not mind having you sit in.

[ellejay]

I don't think there's any harm in asking. I've never actually “sat in” on a client meeting but my boss frequently meets clients and leaves her door open. My office is right next to hers and I can hear pretty much everything that goes on.

[CPAwannab]

I also work in small CPA office, and my boss many times suggested that it may be a good time for me to attend client meetings. It's my 4th season though. He suggested it also last year but because we get soooo busy, there was really no time for me to do it during tax season. So last year we did that for an extension season since it's not that crazy, and I loved it! I learned so many useful tips and ways to communicate with clients! My boss has also some physiology knowledge so he gave me run down of different kinds of personalities and how to deal with them.
I think for you it may be to early since you basically just starting, but down the road I think it's very valuable experience, especially if you are planning to open your own practice.

[jenpen]

I work for a really small firm with only the 2 partners that started it. My first season (this will be my fourth) my boss would set the two of us up for meetings with new clients so I could learn, but also build a relationship with the new clients. They also have a pretty open-door policy so I would be able to ask to sit in. If you have that at your firm, it can’t hurt to ask. If might even help them see that you’re trying to learn.

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[itooshallpass]

Thanks for the input and common sense everyone! We do have a general open-door policy. But I think you are right it would be better to wait until I have more experience. I think I will wait and ask about it next tax season.

[Author]

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