You trust your accountant with your money, your records, and your sleep. When that trust cracks, you feel it in your gut. Maybe calls go unanswered. Maybe tax time brings panic instead of calm. Maybe you keep wondering if you are missing credits or paying more than you should. You are not stuck. You can change. A stronger partner can protect you, guide you, and warn you early. This is true whether you work with a solo tax preparer or a large firm, and it is just as true if you already use a CPA in East Brunswick. This guide walks through three clear signs that your current CPA is no longer right for you. You will see what to watch for, what it means, and what to do next. Your money deserves sharper eyes. Your future deserves better care.
Sign 1: You cannot get clear answers or timely responses
Money trouble grows in silence. If your CPA rarely calls back, sends rushed answers, or leaves you guessing, that silence can cost you.
Ask yourself three simple questions.
- Do you wait more than two business days for basic replies
- Do you leave calls or emails with simple questions and get confusing responses
- Do you feel nervous before you reach out, because you expect pushback
If you say yes, your support is broken. You deserve clear words and steady contact. The IRS guidance on tax preparer credentials stresses that you should be able to ask questions and understand your return. You should not need a decoder to read an email.
A strong CPA will
- Set expectations for response times
- Use plain language you can repeat to your spouse or partner
- Invite questions without making you feel small
If you feel ignored, you are more likely to miss deadlines. That can mean penalties and interest that you never needed to pay.
Sign 2: You see mistakes or surprise tax bills
Everyone can make a mistake. Repeated mistakes show a pattern. Surprise tax bills feel like a punch. They also show that your CPA is not planning with you during the year.
Look for these warning signs.
- Letters from the IRS or your state that you did not expect
- Missing forms or income that you clearly gave to the office
- Large swings in what you owe from year to year with no clear reason
The IRS lists common errors that preparers should prevent, such as wrong Social Security numbers and missed credits. You can read some of these common issues on the IRS common tax return mistakes page. If you see the same issues again and again, your CPA is not checking the work.
Here is a simple comparison to help you judge your situation.
| Pattern you see | What it likely means | What you should do
|
|---|---|---|
| One small math error in many years | Human slip that can be corrected | Ask for a fix and watch future returns |
| Several IRS notices for missing income | CPA did not enter all forms you provided | Review records together and consider leaving |
| Big tax bill with no warning | No planning or midyear check in | Request planning. If refused, look for new support |
| Same credit missed across two years | Poor knowledge of your situation | Find a CPA who understands your type of return |
If mistakes cause penalties, ask your CPA to cover the cost. That request is fair. If the answer is anger or blame, that is another sign it is time to walk away.
Sign 3: Your CPA treats you like a form, not a person
Taxes touch your family, your work, and your health. You need someone who sees your full picture. If your CPA rushes you in and out, you lose chances to protect your money.
Warning signs include these three patterns.
- The CPA never asks about life changes like marriage, divorce, new child, or college
- You do not talk about saving for retirement or paying down debt
- Your questions about the future get brushed aside until “next year”
Good planning does not need complex charts. It needs steady questions. For example, if you start a side job, your CPA should explain self employment tax and estimated payments in clear steps. If your child starts college, you should hear about education credits and common records to keep.
You can also check if your CPA keeps skills current. Many states require ongoing education. You can search licenses and complaints through your state board of accountancy or through links from state board listings hosted by AICPA. Use these tools if you sense neglect or outdated advice.
How to prepare for a switch
Once you see the signs, you may feel guilt or fear. That reaction is normal. You can still act with care and control.
Use three steps.
- Gather copies of past returns, key letters, and engagement letters
- Write a short list of your main worries and goals
- Schedule short calls with at least two new CPAs and ask the same questions
During those talks, pay close attention to how you feel. Do you feel rushed or calm. Do you walk away with clearer next steps. A good CPA will respect your past work and will not pressure you to move faster than you are ready.
Your next move
You do not need to stay loyal to poor service. You can protect your money and your rest. If your CPA will not answer you, keeps making mistakes, or treats you like a file number, it is time to leave. A better match will bring three things. You will get clear words. You will see fewer surprises. You will feel safer when tax time comes. Your money story is personal. Choose someone who treats it that way.
