What makes a good state and local tax consultant or client experience?
Here are some of my thoughts regarding SALT practices:
1. SALT practices need to be more interactive and accessible by clients and prospective clients
2. SALT consultants need to understand a client’s business just as much as they understand SALT
3. SALT practices need to create customized solutions
4. SALT practices need to differentiate themselves from other SALT practices based on:
- technical expertise
- reputation
- client experience / attention
- responsiveness
- understanding of client’s business
- timeliness
- experience with issue
- relationships with clients and taxing authorities
Other Thoughts:
Clients with in-house SALT professionals generally want SALT consultants who:
- know more than they do
- have experience with their industry, issues and state
- have inside connections with taxing authorities
- have handled the same issue for other clients
Clients with in-house SALT professionals generally use SALT consultants:
- as a sounding board or second opinion
- for difficult research
- for projects / big dollar issues
- for audits / appeals for refund reviews
- as additional resource if they lack expertise, time, or people, etc.
As a fellow state tax professional or client, what do you think?
Please post a comment or send me an e-mail at leveragesalt@earthlink.net.