By Stacie Clifford Kitts CPA

Ya that’s right.  I am a CPA and I’m in the customer service business.

In fact, I’m in the – work all night into the next day and then into the next night if that’s what it takes to meet customer expectations – business.  Frankly and as a general rule, the IRS just doesn’t give a good gosh darn if I have the flu or my child is missing his Easter pageant.  The work must be done and since I have committed to doing it accurately and on time – well duh that is what I am going to do even if I need to miss a few nights of sleep.  And yes as unfortunate as it is, over the years I have had to disappoint a pageant participant or two.

But I think I can take this even further, because  it’s fair to say that as far as customer services goes,  I am in the “extreme” customer service business.  And just like other extreme activities, like skydiving or base-jumping, I’ve experienced my fair share of adrenalin heightened heart pounding moments where I thought I might not make it. 

Oh the rush – can you feel it- a major tax deadline is fast approaching – will – YOU- make – it? 

The nature of a CPA’s work requires courageous customer service.  However, there’s also that smidgen of trepidation weaved in.  It is this combination of emotion that truly makes the level of customer service provided by a CPA extreme.   

However, maybe it’s also that investment of conflicting emotion that makes me so frustrated by businesses that can’t seem to pull off even a moderate level of good customer service.  Believe me; high-quality customer service can be done.  All you have to do is do it.

Today is March 15, our first major tax filing deadline and I’ve strapped on my tax knowledge safety-chute and jumped.  And as I hurdle toward the end of the day, I know that at least this time I am going to make it. For now, it’s time to pull the ripcord and float smoothly in for a soft landing.