Yes, if it is a pattern rather than a one-off. An occasional slow reply around lodgement deadlines is understandable, but routinely waiting weeks for an answer usually means your file isn’t getting regular attention. For an established business, slow answers lead to delayed decisions, missed planning opportunities and avoidable stress near deadlines.
Why Slow Replies Matter More Than They Seem
Most business questions are time sensitive. Should I buy this vehicle now or next quarter? Can I afford to hire? What does this ATO letter mean? If the answer arrives three weeks later, the decision has often already been made without advice, or the window has closed.
Slow replies are also a signal about the relationship. Accountants who are overloaded, or whose model is built around high-volume lodgements, tend to deal with clients in batches at tax time. Between those peaks, your questions sit in a queue. That is usually the same accountant who only contacts you at tax time.
It is fair to give some leeway. Every firm has busy periods, and complex questions sometimes need research before a proper answer can be given. A good accountant tells you that, gives you a timeframe and keeps to it. What should concern you is silence, repeated chasing, or a different person each time who doesn’t know your business.
Responsiveness is something clients notice and talk about. Our own clients put it simply: they “always get back to me as soon as possible.” That is the standard worth expecting from whoever handles your accounts.
Wondering Whether It’s Time to Make the Switch?
If you are regularly chasing your accountant, it may be that your business has outgrown the relationship. Our guide to switching accountants on the Central Coast explains how the handover works, including the professional letter to your current accountant, which we take care of. Find out more about MYC Partners Accountants, or have any questions answered directly by Kylie and the team.