Harness should consider restructuring engagement letters for next tax season to improve clarity and help reduce client confusion. Many clients do not thoroughly read their engagements and are surprised by the final invoice amount. To help prevent misunderstandings and make it easier for advisors to address pricing questions, the most key details—pricing, retainer percentage, exhibit, and document submission deadlines—could be more prominently featured at the beginning of the engagement letters. In the previous software we used to execute engagement letters, Ignition, the pricing and service descriptions were clearly listed upfront, followed by the more detailed terms and conditions of engagement. This structure made it easier for clients to understand the scope and cost of services before reviewing the full agreement. Implementing a similar approach in Harness could improve transparency and reduce confusion.
