If you had to share difficult information with a client here at H&R Block, how would you approach that situation?

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1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

Working in tax preparation for business, both small and large, can often be a thankless job. Your role with H&R Block could entail the need for you to deliver difficult information to clients regarding their finances and tax situation. In your answer, be sure to focus on having both a sympathetic approach and an educational approach with the clients that you would be working with and explain why these approaches are the most effective.

"Last tax season, I had to do just that with a very high profile client. During my initial meeting with the CFO, they were mentally prepared to see the same tax burden as the year prior. But after my work was done, it was found that the organization's capital gains and real estate taxes had significantly increased. In seeing this on my own, I approached the CFO directly to inform her of what I found. I approached her directly because I knew that her personality best suited a straightforward approach. In preparing for speaking to her, I clearly demonstrated how the organization's selling of assets impacted them negatively when they weren't prepared for it. She was appreciative of my work and educating them for the future. I think this approach is one that I would take again with your clients if I were hired for this position."

"Tax law is a great unknown for many businesses and individuals and yearly changes in law and lays of the land in business can bring the need to deliver bad tax news to clients. If I were to encounter a situation like this here at H&R Block, I would make sure that I clearly explain the issue to the client and hear their thoughts while empathizing with them. Then, to build trust with them moving forward, I would talk about strategies moving forward that would help ease their tax burdens moving forward."

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How to Answer: If you had to share difficult information with a client here at H&R Block, how would you approach that situation?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a H&R Block job interview.

2. If you had to share difficult information with a client here at H&R Block, how would you approach that situation?

How to Answer

Working in tax preparation for business, both small and large, can often be a thankless job. Your role with H&R Block could entail the need for you to deliver difficult information to clients regarding their finances and tax situation. In your answer, be sure to focus on having both a sympathetic approach and an educational approach with the clients that you would be working with and explain why these approaches are the most effective.

Written by Ryan Brunner on September 25th, 2019

1st Answer Example

"Last tax season, I had to do just that with a very high profile client. During my initial meeting with the CFO, they were mentally prepared to see the same tax burden as the year prior. But after my work was done, it was found that the organization's capital gains and real estate taxes had significantly increased. In seeing this on my own, I approached the CFO directly to inform her of what I found. I approached her directly because I knew that her personality best suited a straightforward approach. In preparing for speaking to her, I clearly demonstrated how the organization's selling of assets impacted them negatively when they weren't prepared for it. She was appreciative of my work and educating them for the future. I think this approach is one that I would take again with your clients if I were hired for this position."

Written by Ryan Brunner on September 25th, 2019

2nd Answer Example

"Tax law is a great unknown for many businesses and individuals and yearly changes in law and lays of the land in business can bring the need to deliver bad tax news to clients. If I were to encounter a situation like this here at H&R Block, I would make sure that I clearly explain the issue to the client and hear their thoughts while empathizing with them. Then, to build trust with them moving forward, I would talk about strategies moving forward that would help ease their tax burdens moving forward."

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