When I think accountant (or lawyers), I picture fancy, modern boardrooms with overly-smart people in suits talking about stuff I don’t understand. I already feel awkward, out of my league and intimidated.

Now, that image might be exactly what my mother prefers (Silent Generation) – an authority figure. She expects professionals to look like that and feels comfortable in that environment.

I’m a Gen X/Y. That image is a total turn-off.

My accountant? He wears dress shirts, sure. And jeans. No tie. Sneakers. He works from a home office (like many of my generation). He’s smart, absolutely – but he swears, jokes about my math and makes me feel like an equal.

KA CHING!

He’s tried to ‘fire’ me three times now because my business has outgrown his abilities and I need a corporate/international accountant. And I flat out told him:

“No. I don’t want to deal with someone in a suit and a boardroom. I want to deal with someone like you.”

Do your legal clients think stuff like that? They might be…