Why building trust should be a tax professional’s #1 priority right now.
You’re running a race against a machine.
As in, one day, you might wake up to find that AI is filing everyone’s taxes, leaving you… well, where?
Are you concerned? Many are.
So here’s my take: while AI is definitely changing the tax and accounting game, it’s not rewriting the rules.
But you have to be more than a form filler if you’re going to survive the AI revolution in this industry.
How do you get there? Be a trusted advisor. A financial confidant. Someone who understands the nuances of a client’s life in a way artificial intelligence never could.
We’ve all wanted to bypass chatbots when we’ve got a problem with a product. We want to talk to a real person.
Your clients? They’re no different. They crave that human connection, especially when it comes to something as sensitive as their finances.
And while AI can maybe cover the basics, complexity isn’t its strength. Our tax code is a labyrinth, and frankly, a machine can’t replace your good judgment and experience.
YOU can handle complex tax situations — the ones with rental properties, tricky business ownership structures, etc. That’s where you shine.
When your clients see you go to bat for them and guide them where they most need help — that’s where trust is developed. So, if you’ve shown any level of relational investment along the way, they’re less likely to want to ditch your services to jump on the AI train, no matter how alluring.
Will some go the tax software route? Yes. Cheap prices are still alluring.
Will some of them come back? Also, yes. Because they recognize value. You get what you pay for.
Plus, machines, for all their efficiency and ability, can’t offer what you can: humanity.
The question is: Are you doing everything you can be doing to BUILD that trust?
This is your imperative. Right now. In the midst of AI disruptions, and legislative changes, and economic heat: build trust with your clients.
So let’s talk about how to leverage your human edge in this new landscape.
