The CA Thingy

When to Say No: Red Flags to Watch for in New Clients

When to Say No: Red Flags to Watch for in New Clients

April 23, 2025

Every CA has taken on a client they later regretted. Maybe they delayed payments. Maybe they micromanaged. Or maybe they vanished when things got tough. In this blog, we help you identify red flags before onboarding—so you say yes only to the right kind of growth.

1. ‘Urgent’ Without Information

  • They want filings done *yesterday*—but haven’t shared basic documents.
  • This pattern usually continues: last-minute chaos, no accountability.
  • Respect your bandwidth. Rush jobs are rarely worth it.

2. Asking for Discounts on the First Call

  • If price is their first concern, service will never be valued.
  • These clients often pay late, argue scope, and expect extra work “included.”
  • Negotiate value, not price. Or walk away.

3. Poor Communication or No Response

  • If they can’t respond during onboarding, they won’t respond when it matters.
  • Unclear communication creates endless follow-ups and delays in delivery.
  • Set expectations early—and if they’re already flaky, don’t proceed.

4. Scope Creep During Discovery

  • “Can you also just look at…” starts small but grows fast.
  • They expect strategic input, but don’t want to pay for advisory.
  • If boundaries aren’t respected before the engagement—they never will be later.

5. Badmouthing Their Previous CA

  • If they talk negatively about their last CA, you may be next.
  • Often it’s not the CA—they just don’t respect process or timelines.
  • Look for emotional maturity, not just revenue potential.

Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Say No

  • One wrong client can drain energy from ten great ones.
  • Use a client fit checklist before onboarding—just like a hiring process.
  • When you say no to misfits, you make space for clients who truly value your work.