Mike Clements
1/5
Aidreen actually scores ZERO STARS because she's not scrupulous and lacks professional integrity
Aidreen has been an accountant since 1999 and has had her CPA license since 2008. I've actually known Aidreen for many years and dealt with her when she was employed at a reputable CPA firm in Orange County. Regrettably, this was the first time I dealt with her directly as an independent CPA. I hired Aidreen not just to crunch numbers and prepare my taxes, but also to be a trusted advisor and to take a fiduciary role to ensure I qualify for state sponsored financial support, more specifically, the Golden State II stimulus of $600. This financial assistance program was announced back in July and I knew I would qualify because I filed before the October 15th deadline and my AGI was well below $75k. Anticipating the funds, I checked diligently for an envelope from the FTB, however to my chagrin, the check never materialized. Bewildered, I called the FTB directly in late December and was shockingly informed that I actually didn't qualify for the $600 stimulus because, unbenounced to me, Aidreen had negligently e-filed my return showing a negative AGI of -$35.00 which was below the necessary $1.00 low end threshold to qualify. If you heard a heavy thud eminiating from the vicinity of Huntington Beach, it was me falling off my chair!
I don't take issue with Adreens ability to crunch figures to calculate tax liability, however I most certainly take issue with why in God's name, prior to e-filing, she didn't contact me via phone or e-mail to discuss and review the numbers. In an email from her on Oct. 5th, she acknowledged the 2 stimulus programs so I felt confident she knew the criteria to receive the money. Come on, we're talking $36! I would never expect her to file a fictitious return, however an integral part of being a CPA is also being a prudent, knowledgeable tax advisor. I paid her $350 to prepare an itemized return which involves prudently discussing claimed expenses to determine what, if anything, was possibly overstated which would've enabled me to meet qualifying stimulus criteria. BTW, did I mention the difference between receiving ZERO dollars and $600 was $36 f'n dollars! As stated, she carelessly went ahead and filed my state tax return showing an AGI of -$35 which cost me $600. Compounding matters, and without compunction, in her email response to my questioning her arbitrary actions, she failed to acknowledge or admit negligence and essentially said, too bad, it is what it is.
I requested she admit her mistake and rectify matters by paying me the $600, however to no avail. She's definitely refusing to admit negligence which will now end up in Small Claims court where I confidently feel I'll be successful collecting not only the $600, but also the tax prep fee of $350 and court costs which proves my point, Aidreen scores ZERO STARS because she's not scrupulous and lacks professional integrity
