05/09/2026
It’s not always the client who doesn’t want me.
Sometimes, I don’t want the client. 😂
After being an Auditor and Tax Agent for so many years, I slowly learned one thing.
Not every dollar is worth earning.
Some Audit Fee.
Some Tax Fee.
Looks like revenue.
But once you collect it,
it may become risk. 😂
Recently, I saw some news about auditor resigning from listed companies.
It suddenly reminded me of ourselves.
Over the years,
KTP has also voluntarily let go of some clients.
Some people ask me:
“Boss, got money why don’t want to earn?”
Actually, many client problems look quite small in the beginning.
“Accounts give you a bit late.”
“Supporting document cannot find.”
“This accrual already outstanding for a few years. Next month only settle.”
“This transaction not important lah.”
“Can submit first?”
“I will explain to IRB.”
One time, we can understand.
Two times, we will remind.
But when the same problems keep repeating, the Auditor and Tax Agent will eventually start asking one very important question:
Is the accounting simply messy?
Or
is there a problem with management?
These are two very different risks.
Messy accounts, can clean up.
Missing documents, can chase.
Deadline very tight, can work overtime.
The hardest situation is when the client already knows there is a problem,
but still hopes the professional will somehow also “not see it”.
Many bosses will say:
“I pay you professional fee. You should help me.”
Yes.
I will help.
But “helping you” does not mean I must take unnecessary risk together with you.
Audit firm has a licence.
Tax Agent also has a licence.
More importantly,
a firm’s credibility is not built in one or two years.
We spend decades building our reputation.
We are not going to gamble it away for a few thousand or even a few tens of thousands in fees.
Sometimes, the real question a business owner should ask is:
“Has my company reached a stage where even the professionals are no longer willing to take the risk?”
After so many years in this profession, I believe this more and more.
A good client is not necessarily the client who pays the highest fee.
A good client is someone who is willing to tell the truth.
Willing to provide complete documents.
Willing to listen to professional advice.
When there is a problem,
we put everything on the table and solve it together.
Because the most valuable asset of an Auditor or Tax Agent
It is the name.
A fee you don’t earn today,
you can earn again next year.
But once your name is damaged,
it may take decades to rebuild.
So yes.
Auditors choose their clients.
Tax Agents choose their clients too.
Because not every dollar is worth earning.
PS : Authored by Mr Koh Teck Peng, the group principal, in his personal LinkedIn post
不是客户不要我. 有时候, 是我不要客户.
做 Auditor 和 Tax Agent 久了，
我会慢慢明白一件事.
不是所有的钱，
都值得赚.
有些 Audit Fee.
有些 Tax Fee.
看起来是 revenue.
收进来以后，
可能变成 risk. 😂
最近看到 Auditor 辞任上市公司的新闻，
我突然想到我们自己.
这些年，
KTP 也主动放掉过一些客户.
有人问我：
“Boss，有钱为什么不要赚？”
其实很多 client 一开始的问题，
看起来都不大.
“Accounts 迟一点给.”
“Supporting document 找不到.”
“这个 accrual 都挂几年了，下个月才 settle.”
“这个 transaction 不重要啦.”
“先 submit，可以吗？”
“我会向 IRB explain.”
一次，我们可以理解.
两次，我们会提醒.
但同样的问题一直重复，
Auditor 和 Tax Agent 就会开始问一个很重要的问题：
这到底只是 accounting 很乱，
还是 management 有问题？
这两个，
是完全不同的 risk.
乱账，可以整理.
Missing document，可以追.
Deadline 很赶，可以加班.
最难处理的是，
client 明明知道有问题，
却希望 professional 跟他一起“看不到”.
很多老板会说：
“我付你 professional fee，你就应该帮我.”
对.
我会帮.
但“帮你”，
不是跟你一起承担不应该承担的 risk.
Audit firm 有 licence.
Tax Agent 也有 licence.
更重要的是，
一个 firm 的 credibility，
不是一年两年建立起来的.
我们花几十年建立 reputation，
不会为了几千、几万块 fee 去赌.
有时候，
真正应该问的是：
是不是我的公司，
已经出现了一些连 professional 都不愿意继续承担的 risk？
我做这一行这么多年，
越来越相信一件事.
好 client，
不一定是付最多 fee 的 client.
而是愿意讲真话.
愿意给完整资料.
愿意听专业意见.
有问题，
大家摊开来解决.
因为 Auditor 和 Tax Agent 最贵的资产，
从来不是 office.
不是 software.
也不是 manpower.
是名字.
Fee 今天没有赚到，
明年还可以再赚.
但名字一旦坏掉，
可能几十年都赚不回来.
所以
Auditor 会选 client.
Tax Agent 也会选 client.
不是所有的钱，都值得赚.
PS : Authored by Mr Koh Teck Peng, the group principal, in his personal Meta post
