Sue, you have certainly not offended me ( as a professionally qualified accountant & registered auditor who charges nowhere near the amounts referred to , nor one who "jacks up the price each year thereafter once I have them hooked".) I like to think that the service and time which I provide to clients is nothing less than that to which which they are entitled to expect.
Rabbit's views on the accountancy profession in Ireland are more than well documented in this forum. Views which he is entitled to express and to which other posters are entitled to respond whether in agreement or in rebuff.
I have always maintained that the best recommendation one can get for any accountant ( or any other service professional or tradesperson for that matter ) is from another, satisfied customer. I do not in the main get business from the Golden Pages or other advertising. I can say with all honesty that the bulk of the business I have today is from referrals from other clients. That works to everyone's advantage. I know that a client is not going to refer someone to me who is likely to be , for want of other words "a messer". And they (the existing client) know that as the referrer, the person is not going to come back to them saying, "that fella you refered me to, what a chancer, or he costs a fortune" etc. I am sure that your accountant will appreciate any referrals you can give for them.