Is it normal for a clients accountant to bill for a telephone call regarding the handover of the accounts etc?
When I first took over I had a chat with my clients accountant - on my mobile I might add which only lasted about 20 minutes and they have billed the client and added an hour or so on top!
So, now I am concerned that if I have any problems or queries I will be hesitant to call them.
The other problem I have is the client has told me not to go in when it's school holidays....(I think she has control freak or trust issues) That means from July to September the bookkeeping won't get done and then there will a frantic rush to get it all on the system before the VAT return is due.
Any thought on this would be greatly appreciated as I am considering walking away from this one.
This is and isn't normal, the previous accountant that is passing information over to the new accountant is within his rights to charge for that time. In reality, this rarely happens as accountants are winning/losing business all the time from other accountants.
It just doesn't make too much sense to us as you could win that client back within two years and the accountant that was charged would just recipricate the charges (and maybe add more). It just creates a bit of ill feeling.
Sorry to hear that this has happened to you.
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TMT Accounting Ltd
Xero Accountants in Bristol
http://www.tmtaccounting.co.uk
it's common practice and the accountant will probably have a minimum one hour charge. To be honest your lucky when you find accountants that will find the time to talk to you.
What are the facts about the not going in during the school hols? Does the business only trade during term time?
I think that my response on that one would have been to put the question back into the clients ball court by asking about the monthly procedures such as payroll processing.
Is this work that has to be done on site?
I don't think there are enough reasons there to walk away from this gig and pretty sure that you will be able to work past this. (could you find the time to bring everything up to date in September).
Good luck with the new client,
kind regards,
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.
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.
