CPA Calls Out Vanilla Ice On Turbo Tax Contest

No sooner had Intuit signed maligned rapper Vanilla Ice to help promote it's TurboTax Tax preparation software with a $25,000 Tax Rap contest, that the entries began coming in via YouTube. When Santa Barbara CPA David Rachford got wind of the contest, he had to do his part. "As a tax professional, I don't feel I compete against Intuit & TurboTax, but I think the contest was a fun way to call attention to the profession."

Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) February 21, 2007 -- Word travels lightening fast on the internet. No sooner had Intuit signed maligned rapper Vanilla Ice to help promote it's TurboTax Tax preparation software with a $25,000 Tax Rap contest, that the entries began coming in via YouTube. By Sunday, February 18, 2007 over 60 entries had been made, several scoring over 30,000 hits. As a tax professional, I don't feel I compete against Intuit & TurboTax, but I think the contest is a fun way to call attention to the profession. I feel that the Profession could use a boost from hip hop.

When Santa Barbara CPA David Rachford got wind of the contest, he had to do his part. "As a tax professional, I don't feel I compete against Intuit & TurboTax, but I think the contest is a fun way to call attention to the profession. I feel that the Profession could use a boost from hip hop." states Rachford.

Who would have thought that rap would come to the world of taxes and accounting?

"Yo Vanilla! You outta know betta
When you making royalties and got a lotta chedda
You prolly got a team of nerdy bean countaz
Dollas chillin in the Caymans in a secret tax shelta

You may think it's cool to use TurboTax
But before you sign up, you better check your Facts

And if you're not convinced you need a C-P-A
Ask any millionaire how they handle tax day
When you have a business and complex affairs
a CPA will help you save your hair.

Rachford's rap rebuttal to the Intuit Turbo-Tax-Raps takes direct aim at Intuit, and Vanilla Ice. In his rap, Rachford speculates that Mr. Ice "probably has a team of nerdy bean countaz." Rachford insists that his criticism of the Intuit Tax Software is based in fact. "Each year, the GAO does an estimate of the time people spend preparing their taxes. People who use tax software spend even more time than those doing it by hand; however, the software can improve accuracy by adding numbers & ensuring that the most common mistakes are not made, such as leaving off your social security number," said Rachford.

Rachford is no stranger to marketing and promotion. He also runs a popular website and blog for CPAs and Accountants for marketing accounting and tax services. "Sometimes, big companies like Intuit surprise me with their entrepreneurial marketing. I give them credit for a good idea. But in a trust based profession like accounting, I'm not so sure I'd choose Vanilla Ice as a spokesman. Maybe we could bring Will Smith out of retirement to do a proper rebuttal," said Rachford.

Rachford is one to put his money where his mouth is. He's pledged to contribute $500 from his marketing company, the CPA Marketing Center for the best YouTube Video promoting the CPA profession. He also has challenged other CPA firms and Accounting Trade Associations to match his contribution to make his contest more lucrative by matching his pledge.

"There's got to be a rap artist out there who could help the CPA profession," begins Rachford, " It's obviously not me, but I'll throw down the challenge anyway: Vanilla - I'll battle anytime, any place: Letterman, The View, Late Night with Conan, you name it, I'll be there."