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Post Info TOPIC: Taking on a new client
Terri


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Taking on a new client
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Does anyone have any pointers for me, I am currently advertising my book keeping services, I have no experience and no clients so getting that first call is going to be a little daunting.

When I do take on a client, should I make a call to the clients accountants to ask them if they were happy with the last set of books delievered, what software package etc I should be using.

I work from home so I think that if I need to meet the client in person then I would either visit at their home or meet them in a local cafe for coffees.  Do you think that this is acceptable.  I am a little worried that they would see me as being unprofessional, but I work from home, so I don't have an office that they could visit. 

Again, any pointers on impressing the client would be really appreciated as I have no clients or experience, but we all have to start somewhere don't we?

Many thanks

Terri

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Terri Homyard AICB CB. Cert PM. Dip

A1 Bookkeeping & Payroll Services

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Julie


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Hi Terri,

When a prospect client first makes contact with you, say it is over the phone, ask them what bookkeeping services they are after, trading status, current arrangement, frequency. They will probably ask about your rates, I don

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Julie


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Sorry, about the half post above my cat (Chester) just walked across the key pad !!

....I don`t give any prices out until I have met the client and established exactly what they want, also if you arrange to meet up with them it gives you the opportunity to see their books and determine whether you want to take on the work !

I have a check list of questions I complete when I first meet up with a client, if I can figure out how to attach it I will pm you with it later.

Don`t fret about appearing unprofessional because you work from home, if anything this is a plus point because you can `keep your rates competitive because you do not have the overheads some companies have who operate from business premises`.

Unless you know your client (if its a friend of the family) I would not recommend meeting a new client for the first time at your home, or indeed if they work from home, at theirs. If you do, then let your partner or friend know where you are. The same goes for meeting a client at their business address. I recently arranged to see a client at their company address, to my horror it was a very run down `garage / lean to` and he had two very large `bouncers` greet me. To cut a long story short, I felt uneasy and intimidated and knew this was going to be one of those jobs you simply walk away from. Just be carefull.

When you have signed up your client, either ask them to contact their accountants and advise them that you are now providing a bookkeeping service or request your clients accountant details and say you will make contact etc.,

Again, be clear and confident in the services you are offering and do not take on anything that you feel unsure / uneasy about. With experience you will get there in the end.

Julie





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Terri


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Thank you Julie, you are always so helpful

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Terri Homyard AICB CB. Cert PM. Dip

A1 Bookkeeping & Payroll Services

www.a1-bookkeeping.co.uk
Julie


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Glad to help,

I have tried to pm you my `new client proposal form / questionaire` but for some reason it will not send.

If you are interested send me your email to:  jbservice@tiscali.co.uk

Regards,

Julie

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emfconsultancy


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This is my first post here - so here goes! I am in much the same position as Terri and would like to ask Julie if she would mind letting me share her 'new client proposal form/questionaire' Thanks so much. Good luck Terri!

Elaine

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elaine
Kathy


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Hi Julie
I hope you don't mind me asking for a copy of your 'new client proposal form / questionaire' as well.
If I manage to get a client it will be helpful to have a checklist.
Thank you
Regards

Kathy

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Kathy
Suffolker


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Same goes for me, do you mind if I have a copy of your questionaire please Julie?

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lor


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Hi Julie I hope you don't mind could you email me the client proposal form too, my email address is quiche12@hotmail.com. I am starting out self employed bookkeeping and think this would be very helpful.

Many Thanks

Lor

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Bubsy


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Hi Julie

Could you send me a copy of the new client questionnaire too?  My email address is bubsydoyle@googlemail.com.

Thanks so much.

Bubsy



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steve99.9


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I also am just embarking on trying to find my first client. I would very much appreciate a copy o your questionaire. my email is steve@broadingsway.freeserve.co.uk

Many thanks

Steve

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foxxy


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Hi julie, im als embrking on the self employed route, please send me a copy of the questionaire i will very much appreciate it (annieloks@excite.com)

kind regards
Anne

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Denise


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Hello Julie, I hope you dont mind me asking but could you send me a copy of your new client questionaire. I too have just set up my own business and I am desperately awaiting that first call.
My email is denise@niftynumbers.co.uk

Thank you very much
Denise

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Denise
www.niftynumbers.co.uk
Julie


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Hi Denise,

Ive emailed to this morning.

If I have missed anyone else out who has posted on this thread, apologies, please let me know and I`ll email you.

Julie

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Denise


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Fantastic Julie, what a great help. Very professional.

Thank you so much
Denise

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Denise
www.niftynumbers.co.uk
Sabear35


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Hi Julie

Would you be so kind as to forward me your questionnaire as well.

plummer.sj@btinternet.com

Many thanks

Sarah

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Julie Dawn


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Hi Julie,

Please would you also be kind enough to forward me the questionnaire at juliedawn_4@hotmail.com

Many thanks

Julie

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kjmcculloch


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Hi Julie,

Would you mind sharing that list with me too please. kris@dalmellingtondesign.co.uk

Thank you

Kris

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ZoesBookkeeping


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Hi Julie
I've just been reading this post and wondered if you would mind sharing the list with me too!  My email is:  info@bookkeepingbanbury.com
Also I have recently moved to Oxfordshire so needing to gain lots of new clients.  Hopefully there is somewhere on this website that I can advertise my services.
Thanks again.
Zoe 

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Julie


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Hi all,

I had a request for my new client form over the weekend from a `bookkeeper` who turned out to be a firm of chartered accountants.  A number of emails were exchanged between us as I was somewhat bermused by their interest -  their reply was that it was always good to have a different persepective.    I decided against sending them my form as I felt they were a bit cheeky and did not like the tone of their replies. 

Now, call me naive, but I assumed this forum was for people like myself `self employed` bookkeepers / `sole traders` wanting practical help, advice and the occasional shoulder to cry on. 

Those of you who I emailed my form to will know that its nothing special, just a practical checklist of things to ask, note down when first meeting a client.  Why all the fuss I may hear you say !!!  Well, I doubt I could ask any random firm of accountants the same thing and get a reply - believe me I did ask a few when I first started out - Im still waiting !!

Sorry for the rant, but I will not be so charitable in future.

Julie

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Terri


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Sorry to hear that Julie, how cheeky!

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Terri Homyard AICB CB. Cert PM. Dip

A1 Bookkeeping & Payroll Services

www.a1-bookkeeping.co.uk
SandyC


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Dear Julie,
I hope that this isnt cheeky of me (I am a fellow book-keeper!!) but could I have a copy of your questionnaire too? I think it is very kind of you to share this with us all.
1-2-1book-keeping@tiscali.co.uk

Thanks very much

SandyC

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kjmcculloch


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Thanks for that response Julie. I'm sure with a few minor setbacks we can all come up with a similar checklist of our own. It would have been nice to be able to avoid those initial pitfalls, but I understand your reasoning.

Kris

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Kris McCulloch 
Tel: 01563 370123

The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
Marky65


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Hi Julie
When I first started reading this thread I thought 'what a great idea I hope that it is still available' but then got to the point where you were messed about by the firm of accountants (who really should know better). Why is it there is always someone who spoils things for the rest of us.
Regards
Mark

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Julie


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Hi Mark,

Yes, sorry about that - all I can suggest is think about the sort of information you will need to set up a client on your system - things like, business status, trading name, directors names/address/contact telephone and email. Nature of business, accountants name/address if applicable. Bankers and what types of service they need from you, frequency.

On initial meeting, try to get as much info as possible.

Hope this helps, and welcome to the forum.

Julie

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kjmcculloch


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Having recently bought the Bookcert package I am in the process of butchering that and getting it how I want. But as a starting block it is interesting, probably covers a lot, if not most of questions you'd want to ask at the first meeting.

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Kris McCulloch 
Tel: 01563 370123

The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
chellawson


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Hi everyone,

Would you charge a fee for setting up clients on your computer system, if so what would be a reasonable fee? Im trying to organise a scale of charges, Im able to do upto trial balance until ive started the AAT then will be able to do more.

Any advice would be great

Michelle

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Michelle
Tenerife Girl


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Hi Julie

Just registered on the site, and found your thread.

Like you I am hoping that this forum will be a place where as Bookkeepers we can come together to help each other and pass on ourexperiences, or even maybe to let off steam if need be !!

regards

Sue



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clott


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Hi Julie
I realise that this was posted some time ago, but I wondered if you would mind emailing your new client questionnaire to me? I am due to meet my first client and would like to make sure that I have everything covered.
My address is claire@macebookkeeping.co.uk

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Claire
ProBowlUK


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Hi 

Been going through the postings here. 
I hope to set up in November but expect to be struggling for the firt year or so. 

Could you possibly send me a copy of your Query Form ? 


Also,  could other fellow bookies pass me details of how you price the work ? 
Have done searches with Google   "Bookkeeping prices"   and the rates go from one extreme to another    £11ph   ...  £39 ph 

Hourly rate is obviously a personal thing and does not interest me. 
It's how I need to estimate the time involved for different kinds of work.   
Are there any formulas ?   confuse

bobsharp@ntlworld.com

cheers






-- Edited by ProBowlUK on Wednesday 4th of August 2010 04:35:56 AM

-- Edited by ProBowlUK on Wednesday 4th of August 2010 04:39:35 AM

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Bob Sharp
Blacker9999


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I too was wondering if you would mind emailing your new client questionnaire to me? I am building up a portfolio of my own paperwork and would like to have this for engagement with new clients.
Many respects
Ronnie
ronnie.sage@ntlworld.com



-- Edited by Blacker9999 on Thursday 5th of August 2010 07:27:42 PM

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clare92


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Hi, i too would like a copy of the questionnaire please, although i know this thread started a while ago. I would appreciate any help!! clare92@blueyonder.co.uk
Many thanks Clare

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kjmcculloch


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I see a lot of requests for this form. However, if you read the whole thread you'll see that Julie decided no longer to send this to anyone else.

Kris

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Kris McCulloch 
Tel: 01563 370123

The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
lor


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I can't believe how long this thread has lasted, it keeps reappearing!

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Peasie


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lor wrote:

I can't believe how long this thread has lasted, it keeps reappearing!

There was a thread from August 2008 reappeared recently.

 



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lor


Guru

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il have to see if I can find it!

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hms40


Newbie

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Hi  Julie

Hope I'm not too late!  Could I please have a copy of your new client checklist?  I have done my own but just wanted to check I havent missed anything out.  My email address is hms40@btinternet.com. 

Thank you very much for your help.

Helen

HMS Bookkeeping Services



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kjmcculloch83


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Hi Helen,

Julie no longer uses the forum and hasn't done for some time. If you email me your check list I'd be happy to advise you of anything you have missed. kris@kmbookkeeping.co.uk, I'm happy to send you a copy of my new client initial meeting aid by return which I think would be similar to Julies.

Kris

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Noola


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Hi Kris,

Could you possibly send me a copy too sorry. My email is kay.bookkeeping@gmail.com.

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