I just had to tell you all about the state of a client's book that were done by a "so" called experienced bookkeeper. He says he didnt check if they were registered etc etc etc. Anyhow, this client rents out properties (about 3 properties with 12 rents altogether), the rental income was entered in the 7000 codes as their rent for the business and the opening balance figures were entered back to front (looks like anyway). Ive basically got to start the year again & do it from what I know the accountants did. The owner advises that he is going to check if this bookkeeper was insured to claim back everything he had paid her. I dont really want to get involved in this but its fair play, I suppose. These set of books are just laughable & if we all didnt know or were unsure why do them?
You have to be pretty sure of yourself before you put yourself out there and understand exactly what you're doing. Has anyone else been through this? I feel awful slating her but I have t make him understand exactly how much time Ive got to spend on it.
problem is that training companies are just luring people in with the promise of big money and easy work. Then charging them a fortune which people feel that they have a right to recoup.
I know that some are setting up in business without taking any exams thinking that bookkeeping is just like they've read in the books.
Of course, people like ourselves know that there's a lot more to it. A book keeper has to virtually be an accountant in the same way that a nurse has to almost be a doctor.
From your clients perspective it doesn't matter whether the previous bookkeeper was insured. He should sue the bookkeeper and if they had anything about them they would have reduced the risk by taking out PII insurance but if they have none (which is probably the case if either they lack two years experience or are not fully qualified) then they will suffer personal loss for incompetence.
Sorry, incompetence is a bit strong as I haven't witnessed the quality of the work first hand but from prior conversations I'm pretty sure that if you state something is so then it is.
Only problem that I can see for you on this one is that the client may try to defer paying you until they have got the money back off the other bookkeeper which of course there is no guarantee of.
I would certainly get your payment terms in writing in your engagement letter.
Good luck and talk soon,
Shaun.
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Shaun
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Hi Lisa-Jo, I would certainly explain to your client how you are going to prepare his books in the proper way, he has already decided to change bookkeepers so he must have been unhappy with her work, so I wouldn't say too much to himabout her standard of work. It's really easy to decry anyone's work so I feel you look all the more professional by letting him draw his own conclusions. Obviously share your thoughts with us though!
From a positive perspective for you, if you sort all this mess up and prove yourself then I am sure you can charge a very good rate (provided they have the money to pay that is). Out of curiosity, what were they paying this other bookkeeper?
It really is unbelievable that people can do this and get away with it when most of us spend years gaining experience and qualifications before daring to even think about self employment, but then you get 'cowboys' in any industry.
No I hadn't honestly!!! That's really funny! No offence to Shaun was just using the old analogy we all use for rogue traders. Just spooky he happens to have that picture as his avatar.
I will be laughing all day now. Can you tell I'm bored?
and every morning before I throw the shotgun in the back of the pick up I think now who can I fool into thinking I know something about what I'm doing today. lol
If you want to see real cowboy work just take any IT project outsourced to India and look at what you get back.
I used to make quite a lot of money correcting / completely rewriting the programs that came back so that managers still got their bonuses because of the outsourcing success! Of course, my pay came from a different budget so they also came in under budget as well.
So, doesn't that make the Indians the cowboys?
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Shaun
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I think that this months theme should be Dallas... There's certainly more characters than only fools and horses.
Right, guess there's going to be a mad rush for Pam Ewing now (No Rob, you have to be one of the other characters!!!).
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Shaun
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I never watched Dallas and Sue Ellen was the only character I could think of earlier and , yes I considered her! Bobby was also the man from Atlantis so maybe I'll search for that or Perhaps go with Burt Reynolds or Jon Voigt to match up with Bill's duelling banjo hillbilly kid!
Only problem with deliverance is a lack of characters. Not something that you can accuse Dallas of... They even managed to have several different actors playing the same person!
Ok, the shopping list of main characters is :
JR Ewing - taken! Bobby Ewing Sue Ellen Ewing Pamela Ewing Lucy Ewing Ellie Ewing (pick a version) Jock Ewing Ray Krebbs Cliff Barnes Willard 'digger' Barnes Donna Krebbs
Apparently there were 358 episodes so should be lots of bit characters to choose from as well.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Tut tut Amanda, that was Dukes of Hazzard... I reccon Bill would make a great Uncle Jesse
I was also thinking of a Camberwick green month... Bet most of the regulars on here won't remember that one either!
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Shaun
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Bagsy the Soup Dragon!... Mmm, this isn't the normal conversation for a bookkeeping and accountancy discussion is it!
Well, nobody can accuse us of being a predictable bunch anyway!
By the way, my eleven year old son just saw your Avatar and I think he's just advanced straight to pubity!
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Shaun
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Anyway on a more serious note, client has already given me £100 up front. Worked 20 years in credit control to realise I dont work that hard without being paid firstly. He could make excuses not to pay. Credit control and bookkkeeping prabably come hand in hand, spent years reconciling customer's accounts..
Afraid that I've got a ten year head start on you Lisa.
Totally agree about the link between bookkeeping and credit control.
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Shaun
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The new pics a play on me saying yesterday that if we get another five years of our incumbent government then I may contemplate life over the pond.
I've lived in Texas (Houston) before and liked it so just thought of a new theme that epitomised to state.
So far Amanda's playing as she's jumped on being Lucy (much to the enjoyment of every bloke on the site!).
Anyway, hope your having a good one,
Talk later,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Anyway on a more serious note, client has already given me £100 up front. Worked 20 years in credit control to realise I dont work that hard without being paid firstly. He could make excuses not to pay. Credit control and bookkkeeping prabably come hand in hand, spent years reconciling customer's accounts..
I do Credit Control in my Full Time job, I find this a handy tool when getting money from my clients. I also see the other side (Accounts Payable) as I do this as well (I do everything to do with accounts) - so I have suppliers phoning me up and being sh**ty if I haven't paid them on time, so now I have the attitude that people have to pay me on time or I won't be a happy bunny! - I will chase and get on their nerves until they pay me!
You have to be like this or people will take the mick!
Don't blame you Lisa you have don't the right thing getting some money already.
I also can't believe how badly the person has done the accounts, I think they haven't really got a clue to be frank, COWBOY definitely sums it up.
I am off this weekend for a weekend in Wales, so I probably won't be around till Tuesday, I will catch up then on all the chit chat and accounts related conversations!
Nope, she's your Niece!... And it's Texas not Walford. But you did get to make out with Pam you lucky so and so.
I'm probably one of the lucky few who hasn't seen Corrie since the 1960's!!!
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Shaun
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Race between Lorraine and Bill for next 'Guru'...in the meantime I am considering changing to Ray (whoever he is) and reacquainting myself with Amanda!
Don't blame you. As I mentioned last night, my eleven year old son saw Amanda's pic and suddenly hit pubity!
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.