The Bert Show

Episode: Vault: This Accountant's Wife Has Had ENOUGH
Date: March 27, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Bert Show dives into the very relatable dilemma of what happens when friends and family expect free tax help from someone who works as an accountant—especially during the busy tax season. Amanda, whose husband is a relatively new tax accountant, calls in expressing her frustration at the constant flood of requests for free advice and services. The hosts and callers brainstorm strategies for setting boundaries, communicating policies, and handling the awkwardness without damaging relationships.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Amanda’s Dilemma: Friends Want Free Tax Help

Timestamps: 01:14–01:39

• Amanda joins the call explaining that it’s her husband’s "busy season" as a tax accountant, and that friends are constantly asking for free help.

  • “It seems like friends always come out of the woodworks.” – Amanda [01:27]

• The main challenge: politely turning down requests for free labor without losing friends or causing drama.

• Amanda clarifies it’s more about her husband’s time than the money, and that late nights and after-hours questions add up fast.

2. Is Discounting or Bartering a Fair Solution?

Timestamps: 01:39–03:16

• The hosts and guests discuss the idea of offering friends discounted rates or trading services.

• Suggestions include practical swaps, like lawn care or house painting, if the friends have relevant skills.

• The group agrees on finding a way to compensate for the accountant’s time while keeping things friendly.

  • "If it’s going to be a trade for dinner, it should be an equal amount in a gift certificate for you and your husband to go to dinner." – Caller [03:35]

3. Drawing Firm Boundaries: Scripts and Policies

Timestamps: 03:52–05:23

• Callers share advice on establishing boundaries.

  • Be upfront: "Hey, I don’t come to your work and ask for free services. Why would you do it to me?" – Caller [03:52]
  • Hosts note this can sound a bit confrontational, and encourage a gentler approach.

• A universal policy is suggested:

  • “We just have decided that we don’t do these services for friends and family. Not just you.” – Caller [05:04]
  • Framing it as an impersonal policy avoids making it personal.

• Add that it protects relationships if things go wrong, helping further explain the boundary.

4. Practical Suggestions: Auto-Replies & Appointment Setting

Timestamps: 05:36–06:34

• Caller proposes using an email auto-reply during tax season, politely directing people to make appointments for help.

  • “Set up an auto reply... says happy tax season! For help and assistance with your taxes, please make an appointment and leave a phone number.” – Caller [05:36]

• In-person requests can be met with a business card and a request to book an appointment.

• Email boundaries particularly appealing: set expectations about response time (“I may not have a chance to get back to you until after the 15th”).

5. The Ethics Card: Restrictions on Accountant’s Side Jobs

Timestamps: 06:34–07:37

• A male caller shares his wife's CPA strategy: use firm policy and ethics as a shield—her firm only allows four freebies per season.

  • "If she gets caught preparing anybody else's stuff and the firm's not getting their cut, then she could lose her license.” – Caller [07:01]

• Even if Amanda’s husband’s firm doesn’t currently have such a strict policy, hosts encourage her to check—or at least, it’s a useful “white lie” as a soft boundary.

6. Proactive Communication: Mass Emails & Next Year’s Planning

Timestamps: 07:52–08:27

• Callers recommend preempting awkward asks by sending out a mass email ahead of tax season with rates and available time slots.
  • “A buddy of mine does that, and it completely kept me away from ever asking for help.” – Caller [07:52]
• For the current year, it might be too late, but it’s a great strategy going forward.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Amanda on the relentless requests:
  "He works, like, 10, 12 hours a day... then he comes home and he usually has like five emails... It just takes up a lot of time." [02:15]

• Host, on finding the right phrase:
  "You're really looking for just the sentence you can say where you don't lose your friends and...you gotta get paid." [02:58]

• On the “universal policy” approach:
  "We don't work with friends... because if something goes wrong, we don't want it to affect our relationship." – Caller [05:06]

• On CPA ethics:
  "If she gets caught preparing anybody else's stuff and the firm's not getting their cut of it, then... she could lose her license and her position." – Caller [07:01]

• Hosts’ final advice:
  "A little lie never hurt, especially around tax season." [08:33]

Segment Timestamps

• 01:01–01:39: Amanda introduces the issue: friends asking for free tax help.
• 01:40–03:16: Discussion on discounts, trades, and compensation.
• 03:52–05:23: Callers give advice on setting polite boundaries.
• 05:36–06:34: Suggestions for auto-reply emails and business cards.
• 06:34–07:37: CPA ethics: using firm policy as a reason to say no.
• 07:52–08:27: Proactive communication: sending mass emails before tax season.

Tone & Takeaways

The episode maintains The Bert Show’s signature mix of humor, empathy, and practical talk. The conversation is light, authentic, and supportive, with everyone pitching solutions in a nonjudgmental way. Whether you’re an accountant, married to one, or just want to learn how to set clear boundaries with friends and family, the episode offers a toolkit of scripts and strategies delivered in a fun, relatable style.