Collaboration, Not Competition
GWD is not positioned as a traditional accounting or routine compliance firm.
Our work focuses on defined tax advisory and federal tax matters, including specialized technical analysis, IRS examinations, administrative controversy, compensation tax, and related tax-risk matters.
When another professional introduces GWD into a client relationship, we respect that introduction.
Add the capability the matter requires. Preserve the professional relationship already in place.
Client Relationship Protection
GWD limits its work to the agreed engagement scope.
We do not use a specialized engagement as an opportunity to pursue unrelated routine accounting, compliance, financial advisory, or other services belonging to the referring professional's existing relationship.
Depending on the matter, the defined scope may include:
- IRS examination support;
- administrative controversy;
- technical tax analysis;
- independent review of significant tax positions;
- executive compensation and benefits tax;
- examination readiness and tax-risk analysis;
- another specifically agreed tax assignment.
When the engagement is complete, GWD's defined role concludes unless additional work is mutually agreed.
Where appropriate, contractual client non-solicitation and referral protections can be incorporated into the engagement documentation.
Clear Scope. Clear Roles.
Before substantive work begins, GWD and the referring professional can establish the respective responsibilities of:
GWD,
the referring professional,
the client,
and other advisors involved in the matter.
This may distinguish GWD's specialized assignment from the referring firm's responsibility for routine compliance, financial reporting, legal advice, financial planning, or other ongoing services.
A specialist engagement should strengthen the existing professional team—not disrupt it.
Transparent Communication
Depending on the engagement, the parties can agree in advance on:
- the primary professional contact;
- client communications;
- meetings;
- document requests;
- work-product delivery;
- billing arrangements;
- material developments;
- escalation procedures.
No surprises. Clear roles. Transparent communication.
Respect for Your Team
Where appropriate and legally permissible, engagement agreements may also address mutually agreed restrictions concerning solicitation or recruitment of personnel involved in the professional relationship.
Non-Circumvention
Professional relationships often involve more than a client name.
They can include contacts, processes, proprietary information, strategic insights, and established channels of communication.
GWD respects those relationships and does not use information obtained through a professional collaboration to bypass the referring firm.
Where appropriate, confidentiality, referral protection, and non-circumvention provisions can be included contractually.
Contractual Protection
Depending on the relationship, GWD may work under a master services agreement, subcontract arrangement, statement of work, or other appropriate engagement structure.
Agreements may address:
- scope;
- client relationship protection;
- confidentiality;
- non-circumvention;
- personnel protections;
- communication protocols;
- termination;
- transition of the matter.
Specific contractual provisions depend on the engagement and applicable professional and legal requirements.
Protection During and After the Engagement
Where appropriate and legally permissible, the parties may agree to post-engagement protections concerning client solicitation, referral relationships, confidential information, and personnel.
The terms of the executed agreement—not website language—govern the parties' rights and obligations.
Bring in Specialized Capability Without Giving Up the Client Relationship.
GWD can take a defined role, work alongside your firm, and step back when the specialized need has been addressed.
That's the GWD partner model:
collaboration, defined responsibility, and respect for the relationship that brought us together.
Your client. Your relationship. Additional GWD capability when you need it.
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