Creating a unique client experience in a traditional industry
Keila Hill-Trawick from Little Fish Accounting shares why showing up authentically for your clients is crucial in transforming how people view accountants.
Let's talk about something that's really close to my heart—transforming how we show up for our clients in accounting.
I know accounting has traditionally had a reputation for being dry, transactional, and maybe even a little boring; but I don’t think it has to be that way.
We can absolutely maintain our professional standards while creating experiences that make our clients feel seen, heard, and genuinely cared for.
It's more than just numbers
Here's something I've learned running Little Fish: our clients don't just come to us for numbers. They come to us because they want someone who understands their business journey, their struggles, and their wins.
Our best clients are those who don’t just need an accountant, they want us to be their chosen accounting firm. We’ve created that environment by focusing on a memorable client experience by showing up authentically and creating space for our clients to do the same.
Think about it like this: every interaction with your client is an opportunity to show them they made the right choice in working with you. This could mean:
Having real conversations about their business goals, not just their numbers. Start conversations with, “What’s going on in your business?” This opens up insights beyond finances and shows you care.
Creating systems that make it easy to work with you. Easy tweaks that make it simple for your clients to provide you with the information you need to do the work. Simple things like one email address as a single point of contact or a central documents hub.
Training your team to lead with empathy and understanding. Be proactive about the responses you give and personal about the ways you interact. Skip the jargon and tailor solutions to client needs using feelings and facts.
Adding personal touches that show you're thinking about them beyond tax season. Did your client tell you that they just got married? Had a baby? Experienced a loss? Celebrate milestones, send condolences, and recognize life changes with thoughtful gestures like cards or small gifts.

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