I have a potential new client that I am meeting next week. This is due to one of my letters that I sent out. He is a tree surgeon, Sole trader, under VAT threshold, and doesn't employ anyone. Is there anything in particular that I need to look out for when I meet him next week?? I'm assuming he has eqipment etc, and I know he was a van.
He is organised luckily, and has had a bookkeeper who unfortunately for him is given up (good for me). I believe its all on excel sheets but will have a look at all the stuff next week.
Any pointers as always will be greatly appreciated!
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.
You inspired me to send out loads of letters which up to now I have had no luck with, this one was about 6 weeks ago and I have left messages for him and then he rang out of the blue yesterday which was good. So you never know when its going to happen!
I have had some postcard size adverts done via Vista print, they look very professional so I am now putting them in newsagents and postoffices etc outside of my area to see if I can get anymore. The price varies alot the cheapest was 50p per week and the most expensive was £1 per week. So hopefully that may generate some more business.
I hoping this one will turn into an actual client sounds very promising on the phone so keeping my fingers crossed.
I know it's nothing to do with your current question, and I promise I wont hijack the thread but I thought you may be interested in this. Until this month I was buying lists of new businesses from selectabase and paying nearly £50 per month. I found out yesterday that Business Gateway (which I think is Business Link in England and Wales) can provide free business lists. I have asked for all businesses with less than 3 employees within a 20 mile radius of me and I'll start working through it.
Just thought this may be of interest to you and others.
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.
Congratulations on your new client. Do you have the details of his old bookkeeper? If not it might be worth getting them and giving the bookkeeper a call to see if they have any other clients they are no longer working for that you could take on.
He is a tree surgeon, Sole trader, under VAT threshold, and doesn't employ anyone. Is there anything in particular that I need to look out for when I meet him next week??
Falling trees?
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Never buy black socks from a normal shop. They shaft you every time.
Plant the foundations properly and your relationship will blossom. Just make sure you don't leaf everything to the last minute and you never know where it might branch out to
Joking aside. Congratulations !!
(sorry for the puns)
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Tony
Responses are intended as outline only. Formal advice should be sort from your Institutes Technical Department or a suitably qualified Accountant.
I have just received the information. You are limited to 1000 results per financial year. Unfortunately it is only for limited companies, which I didn't realise, but still great for free. I was emailed the list on a spreadsheet, I am now going to have a good look through and maybe get a letter together for them this afternoon.
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.
Hi Amanda, here's a fairly exhaustive list of things you might want from clients when doing their books, obviously for the smaller clients you may not have all this:
Cash book (or some kind of listing?) if available Bank statements Cheque books Paying in slips Loan statements Sales invoices/receipts Purchase receipts/invoices VAT returns (if vat regd) Vat workings HP agreements Stock take Debtors list Creditors list Wages recirds Petty cash Note of any additions /disposals of fixed assets Any bad debts
THanks for the list, I know he is fairly up together with paperwork and invoices all his clients so that should be OK.
The one thing on the list that I didn't think about is HP agreement, he may have one for the van or equipment so will ask about that. Hes not VAT reg so thats OK.
