Accounting is about more than numbers. It is about trust. When clients bring their records, they are handing over parts of their lives. They expect accuracy, but they also expect fairness.
Andre Shammas learned this lesson early. He started his career as an auditor for the State of California. He recalls reviewing a file where a small error could have cost a family business thousands of dollars. “I remember thinking, if I treat this like just paperwork, someone pays the price,” he said. That moment shaped his belief that fairness is not optional. It is the core of the profession.
Shared Success in Practice
Shared success is not just a slogan. It is a way of working. Shammas often tells the story of a self-employed contractor who walked into his office carrying receipts in a shoebox. The man was nervous and embarrassed. Together they sorted everything, created a clear plan, and avoided a large penalty.
“When he left, he told me it was the first time he felt in control,” Shammas explained. “That’s shared success. His relief was my success too.”
This approach is especially important for small businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 82% of small businesses fail because of poor cash flow management. Helping people manage their records and deadlines is not just paperwork. It can keep a business alive.
Why Fairness Matters to Clients
Clients do not want jargon. They want honesty. Shammas believes fairness means telling people what they need to hear, even if it is uncomfortable. He remembers one case where a family tried to claim expenses that did not meet requirements.
“They weren’t trying to cheat,” he said. “They just didn’t know. I had to explain why it didn’t work and then show them other things they could claim instead. They left knowing I was on their side, not just checking boxes.”
Fairness builds trust. Trust brings clients back. In accounting, repeat relationships are the strongest sign of success.
The Human Side of Numbers
Accounting is often seen as technical. But behind every form there is a person. Shammas remembers when his own family moved to the United States from Spain in the 1990s. His parents struggled with paperwork. Even simple forms were confusing.
“I saw how stressful it was for them,” he said. “That’s why I explain things in plain language now. I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by forms that make no sense.”
That personal history drives his approach today. Fairness is not just a principle. It is personal.
Shared Success Builds Communities
Shared success extends beyond the office. When small businesses stay organised, they survive longer. When they survive, they hire workers, support families, and add to the local economy.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small businesses create two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. Helping them stay on track does not just help one client. It helps an entire community.
Shammas often puts it simply: “If I succeed, but the people around me are still struggling, then I haven’t really succeeded.”
Actionable Ways to Put Fairness First
Table of Contents
Be Transparent
Clients should always know what is happening with their records. No hidden steps. No surprises. Use simple language, not technical terms.
Listen Before Acting
Take time to understand the client’s goals. Ask questions. Build a clear picture before making decisions.
Explain the Why
Never just say “yes” or “no.” Always explain why a rule applies. This builds trust and teaches clients how to avoid mistakes in the future.
Actionable Ways to Build Shared Success
Encourage Organisation
Remind clients to set aside time each month to review receipts and notes. Even 30 minutes can make a big difference.
Use Simple Tools
Folders, calendars, and checklists are often enough. Clients do not always need complex systems to stay organised.
Celebrate Wins
If a client meets a deadline they struggled with before, celebrate it. Small victories build momentum.
Lessons from Real Clients
One client, a family-owned café, came in worried about a missed deadline. The owners thought they would face large fines. Shammas worked through their records and showed them they could avoid penalties with proper filing.
“They went from panic to relief in one afternoon,” he recalled. “That’s the part I love. Watching stress turn into confidence.”
Another client, a young freelancer, had no idea about quarterly deadlines. Shammas helped her map out a simple calendar. “She sent me an email months later saying, ‘For the first time, I’m not worried.’ That’s when you know you’re making an impact.”
Why This Perspective Matters for the Industry
The accounting industry is often judged by efficiency and output. But fairness and shared success create lasting value. According to a PwC survey, 86% of consumers say trust is more important than ever. Accountants who focus only on speed risk losing that trust.
Shammas’s approach shows why fairness matters. It is not about doing work faster. It is about doing it right, with integrity, and with the client’s long-term goals in mind.
Recommendations for Accountants
- Adopt a Client-First Lens – Always see the human behind the numbers.
- Educate, Don’t Just File – Take time to explain. Teaching builds trust.
- Make Fairness Non-Negotiable – Never compromise accuracy for speed.
- Promote Shared Success – See the client’s relief and confidence as your own success.
- Stay Grounded in Community – Remember that every small win has a wider impact.
Conclusion
Fairness and shared success are not abstract ideas. They are practical tools that build stronger client relationships and healthier communities. Andre Shammas shows how one accountant can combine skill, personal history, and values to create a career rooted in integrity.
As he puts it: “Success isn’t about me alone. It’s about making sure the people I work with succeed too. That’s when the numbers really mean something.”