Dialogue: Year-end review with a small-business client

Lesson 1 of 2 in Workplace Communication for Accountants · 22 minutes

Listen to a Canadian-style client meeting. The accountant balances professional skepticism with warmth, presents findings clearly, and recommends next steps — without being either pushy or passive.

What you'll learn

Hear a Canadian client meeting unfold
Recognize the patterns of professional skepticism + warmth
Adopt the language of clear recommendations
Notice how the accountant handles a sensitive issue

From the transcript

Priya Sharma, CPA, is meeting with her client Carlos Reyes, who owns Reyes Plumbing — a 12-person business in Mississauga, Ontario. Year-end is December 31; this meeting is in early March. The corporate tax return is due June 30, but the balance owing is due March 31. Priya has prepared the year-end financials and noticed two issues: the company's bookkeeping has been inconsistent (mixing personal and business expenses), and the year was unexpectedly profitable, leading to a higher tax bill than Carlos expected.

Priya: Carlos, good to see you. I've prepared the year-end statements and there's a few things I want to walk you through. Some good news, some things to address.

Carlos: Hi Priya.…