BSM CPA Group, LLP

"I hired this firm only 8 months ago to be the Trust Accounting firm. My 2021 taxes, although extremely simple, we’re completed on time and professionally. The 2022 taxes were going to be much more complex as the trust now had money and it was going to be closed during this year. I had made several calls to Elaine regarding papers I would need and what I should be doing to get the trust ready to close. She was very helpful with advise as to what would be needed. I asked here if there was any billing procedure for these calls. I was told by Elaine, NO as they would be billed as part of the tax filing. This made sense to me as it was part of the tax preparation process and then could be a write-off expense. I fully expected the fees to be upwards of 5,000 and was prepared to pay the one time fee to have these truly difficult taxes filed. 3 months after the last phone call I received a bill for ALL my phone conversations, even ones for the prior tax year. Also charges for her to review the paperwork she had told me I would need to file the 2022 taxes. There was no explanation for the bill, no breakdown and no note from Elaine, just the receptionist saying the late fees would be waived. It was the first time I received the bill so nothing was making sense. I contacted Elaine and was very disturbed by her response and concerned by her lack of explanation including her insinuations I was asking questions about my own personal taxes. I asked why I was never given a breakdown of charges regarding what was being charged and what was charged. She would not answer my questions and to make a long story short she up and quit all over 550 dollars. I can only believe that once she started receiving the paperwork she realized these taxes were going to be extremely difficult and were beyond her scope of tax experience. This firm has now left me in the lurch as I had thought I had been preparing for this coming tax year with a professional firm for the last 6 months. I was told this was reviewed with the owner and it was on his advise she resign. I paid for my 2021 taxes within 2 weeks of filing so I can only surmise this firm only wants the easy jobs. I was surprised the owner did not contact me and offer a more experienced accountant or even ask me any questions as to help explain how their billing procedures changed without informing me the client. If your taxes are difficult or you ask questions regarding what you are being billed for, I would look elsewhere for an accounting firm. To be left without an accounting firm less then 4 months before the end of the tax year is very unprofessional and just plain mean."