@PATAX
Medieval and early modern tradition recognized only three professions: divinity, medicine, and law, which were called the learned professions. Accounting did not come along until much later: The Wikipedia article on this subject lists the historical sequence of development in the United States, showing surveying achieving professional status first (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln all worked as land surveyors before entering politics), followed by medicine, actuarial science (think insurance), law, dentistry, civil engineering, logistics, architecture and (finally) accounting.
What the original three professions have in common is that their ethics recognize a duty to help all people, not just those that practitioners approve. Religious leaders try to save every soul. Doctors try to save the lives of illegal drug users. Lawyers defend those who are accused of even the worst crimes.
That doesn’t mean tax professionals need to emulate Mother Teresa. But maybe we should follow a 90/10 rule. If we like 90% of our clients, let’s put up with 10% who really don’t deserve it. As long as they pay their bills on time. They’re humans, too. And maybe all it takes to change their path, to the one without thick brush and poison ivy and fallen trees, is your professional assistance.
