Professionally as an accountant (and otherwise) I have lots to say - most of it helpful advice given to my clients from the bottom of my generous heart. Meant to help them succeed in their financial endeavours and hopefully building them a bright future. Some of them listen, the good ones listen. However, the vast majority would rather take their tax advice from a stranger at a BBQ.
Thankfully it's winter now in Adelaide but the blossom trees have burst forth and with these beautiful buds comes the dark spectre of spring and the BBQ......the advice that will be exchanged at these gatherings is only weeks away. It will be dished out with a couple of beers and some tepid salad. Rental property purchases will be decided upon between mouth fulls. Capital gains tax calculations will be made with the exacting mind of someone who has red wine stained teeth.
Then there is the most heinous of BBQ crimes......the share trading discussion. This one has a special place in my consciousness as it is not dissimilar to digging a big pit and tipping your inheritance in, covering it with the debris of the charred meat that has just been consumed. Now, you may feel that I'm exaggerating but I'm truly not. When a client rings me and the first sentence I hear is "I was at a BBQ on the weekend and......" I feel slightly nauseous and very nervous - which coincidentally is how I feel about potato salad with bacon in it.
So please, I implore you, do yourself and your accountant a favour and just enjoy the beautiful weather that is about to be upon us when you next attend a BBQ. Have a few cold beers, talk about your week and have fun. Then if the mood strikes you and tax is on your mind on Monday morning give someone a call who (hopefully) has clean teeth and a clear mind!
