AGN-NA Success Story
by Dee Palaschak, AGN-NA Tax Core Team Leader
Sisterson & Co. LLP - Pittsburgh, PA

Problem
We were proposing on a new tax client who was being served by one of the Big 4 firms. The prospect asked us about the differences and benefits of using AGN versus similar associations such as IGAF Worldwide or BDO Seidman as the firms we were competing against were apparently members of those associations. The prospect also asked if AGN had an energy division, since it was their understanding that the BDO Seidman firm is an "energy" specialty firm. We wanted to be able to provide comprehensive answers to their inquiries since we thought the prospects ultimate decision of which firm to go with hinged on these answers.

Solution
We were not sure how to answer the client about the other associations because we are only members of AGN and are not familiar with the other associations. We also were not quite sure what to tell our prospect about AGN's comparison to BDO Seidman regarding an emphasis in "energy". We therefore contacted Nathalie and Rita at AGN for assistance in answering these questions.

Results
Rita was able to give a thorough and prompt written response to both of these questions. We were provided with a great deal of information to help us explain to our prospective client how AGN compares to the other organizations, and also to explain about the vast amount of oil & gas (energy) experience that we can draw from by contacting AGN member firms in Texas who do specialize in this area. Rita also offered to walk through all of the information she provided in the e-mail, offered to talk to the prospective client directly, and also asked how else she could be of help to us.

Client Response
We did not need to take Rita up on her offer and the prospect ultimately chose our firm. After getting the additional information about AGN we felt very well equipped to answer any question that client may have in the future, with the help of AGN if necessary.

Additional Comments
Overall AGN has been a great resource for Sisterson. The staff at AGN, as well as the staff at any AGN firms we have contacted, have always gone out of their way to try to get us an answer if at all possible.