[animalwithin]

We have a client who is a fairly lousy person. He insists on staying with us, however, so we continue to do his accounting and tax work. He has my personal cell number which, without asking me, he gave to his wife at some point.

His wife is worse than he is. She calls repeatedly at late hours, over the weekends, sends nonstop text messages whenever she needs anything, argues disrespectfully whenever we send them an invoice for the work we do for them.

She obviously has a right to the information she is requesting as she is part owner of the businesses and they file jointly but she is an incredible nuisance and I want to block her number. She can still email me and her husband still has my number but I do not want this woman contacting me via phone.

Am I violating some ethical CPA law by blocking her number?

[jeff]

You should not have given a client your personal cell number (my humble opinion).

There is no reason for them to have it. If they have something important – you should be in a position to give them your full attention and document the conversation AND bill them for it…aka – your desk phone.

The genie has left the bottle, however.

Tell them you are requiring all clients to call X number for the reason above. Their business is very important to you and you want to be able to give them your full attention on the phone, but limit it to business hours out of respect for family time.

You're going to have to tell them – and then not reply to a text or accept a call again – not even once.

In short, you're going to have to re-train them as to what is acceptable.

They will likely throw a fit.

[jeff]

And after you have communicated this … yes … block it.

[animalwithin]

Thank you for the reply Jeff! Unfortunately, this is a person who doesn't care about professionalism or respect. I don't answer any of her calls that arrive late at night/early morning/weekends and I try my best to only answer her texts that are relevant, usually only one out of many that she sends.

I've made it evident to the husband that this behavior is taking place but neither seem to care. I will enunciate what you have indicated above and if I'm still getting the same behavior then I shall block.

Thank you!

[jeff]

You'll get the bad behavior that you tolerate.

Apply that to parenting AND to clients 🙂

Good luck.

[fsugirl2005]

Raise the rate as high as you can for that client, within ethical lines of course. That'll show them who's boss. They will either pay up for the troubles or leave.

If that doesn't work, send out a “work/life balance” email and then block her.

My claim to fame: I own an accounting practice so I deal with obnoxious people from time to time.

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[jeff]

You haven't truly lived until you've had a client's employee, wearing an ankle bracelet monitor courtesy of the judicial system, drop a room-clearing fart in your office, leaving you dry heaving above the trash can while they died laughing.

It can always be worse.

[Recked]

So glad I decided to visit the forum today to read this treasure.
Prime example of it could always be worse.

[jeff]

Glad I could contribute to your day 🙂

[Skynet]

Are you sure she's not just unhappy with her marriage and wants to just hook up with somebody?

You know, someone to balance her books and check out her assets. 😬

[fsugirl2005]

Oh Skynet. Don't ever change. 😂😂

AUD - 10/21/16 (75----07/2010 expired)
FAR - 10/28/16
BEC - 11/2016
REG - 01/2017

Using Gleim CPA Review, Ninja Audio, Ninja Book

[Author]

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