I hear ya!

I had one tell a client that in his expert opinion, the advice I was giving was in my own best interest.  I put 50k in an ING VA with the 7% DB.  The client has a 700k w/ me.  He thought that was too much.

Same guy told people that I trade my clients accounts on margin because he saw 1 statement where a client wrote some checks on their account and when about $10,000 over what they had in the money market.

I hate accountants that don't really understand this stuff, then they run their mouth without checking all the facts.

they are without doubt a-holes

There's one guy in town who is an absolute TOOL. We shared about 5 or so clients. He really resented the fact that my rep was a woman and made mention of this in many not so subtle ways every chance he got when they met...sadly it didn't end well for him because he really provided the clients with bad advice.

We slowly ended up referring the clients to other CPAs we worked better with. Maybe you could casually (not so casually) set up a lunch or round of golf between yourself, your fave ceep, and Mr. Client.

Mr. Client...Did you know Bob is a CPA?...Hey Bob how much do I owe you for my taxes? WHAT? Why isn't that less than a-hole charges you Mr. Client?

I don't know maybe too obvious. ?

I finally had it with a few jack-off accountants in 2005, and pretty much put the client in a pick me or him/her situation.  It all started when one accountant threatened me with, "I'll have your ass fired in a heartbeat!"  I responded by saying, "What makes you so sure that your relationship is valued more by the client than the one they have with me.  If you want to put the client in that spot and take your chances, then 'Game On!'"  I prevailed--rather easily.  So, I decided to rid myself of a few of the other idiots who were thorns in my side, and was successful on every count.

Lifetime scorecard: Sooth 5, CPAs 0.  But, who's keeping score!  My point is, stand up for yourself and what you have helped the client accomplish vs. the CPA.  What is the CPA's value proposition other than to nitpick and rock-throw because he has revenue greed?  Ask the client, "How many years did Mr. CPA prepare your taxes, yet never advised you to establish a trust.  Did he even know that you did not have a functioning will?"  "Does your CPA know the names, approximate ages, and the residences of your children?"  "Did your CPA take any interest in which annuity option you and your wife selected when you retired?"  "How has your CPA thanked you and shown gratitude for the referrals that you sent to him?"  "Can you tell me about a time when you felt your CPA truly went above and beyond your expectations?"  Trust me, you'll win too in most cases if you position yourself properly.  Immediately try to establish yourself as an equal to the CPA, not someone that you are beholden to. 

Hmm...should I even begin on lawyers???

Sooth - like the tactics.  People need to be made aware that our advice is not secondary to that of a weasel accountant. 

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Hmm...should I even begin on lawyers??? 

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If you ever end up at odds with a client's lawyer, don't get too concerned.  A couple of points from my days in the trenches:  First, nobody likes us, not even our clients; and, second, we don't have regular contact with a client the way a CPA or financial advisor does (most of the work done for a client is one-off litigation work, or sporadic transactional work.)