I just wondered if any of you have ever turned down work.
Basically, I have started doing work for an existing clients parents. They use QuickBooks online, which I have never used before. To be honest it looks like a total nightmare, but this is probably due to the previous "bookkeeper", it basically needs reconciling from scratch.
This is where the problem lies though - I simply don't have the time. I start work at around 7am and generally work through until 9pm. Added to the fact that I have quoted fairly low as it is a family member of a client, I can see it taking over with little reward.
I would say pause for a moment before dumping the client.
I've had some pretty awful messes to sort out and often first year ends up at a loss if you add up all of the hours that you invest. But, once you have soreted the client out have you not then already done the hard work so why should another bookkeeper benefit from that?
Just consider whether it will all be the same again next year or whether once this year is sorted out will that have broken the issues and be a lot more straight forwards going forswards?
Perhaps take the opportunity to talk with the client and get them to change the way that they do a few things.
Of course, the other thing that I'm reading here is that you don't really have the hours in the day for the time that this is taking.
Think that we've all been there!
Are you working to a self imposed deadline that can be flexed?
In answer to your original question. Yes, I have had clients that I have let go but they were clients who would not give me documentation no matter how much I tried to coax it from them.
If your clients are trying but they are just in a mess that is (to my mind) completely different.
The final decision as to what to do is down to you and I find that gut feel should be listened to. That said though, just be 100% sure before you let them go. You never know whether even though these ones are not a big earner whether these will be the one's who open the door to a client who is?
Good lick and welcome back to the site Chris,
kindest 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.
Yes, I have turned down work in the past. Reasons have mainly been due to knowing that the client is so disorganised I know from experience I will be banging my head against brick wall on a daily basis.
Like Shaun has pointed out, your gut instinct works wonders, also taking a bit of time out to weigh up the pros and cons helps.
I would see this client as a challenge, in that you will have an unfamiliar software to master, and as much as I hate taking over from another bookkeeper, once you have the work under your control, subsequent years will be easier.
As you can see from the time of my reply.... have not long finished for the day and now trying to unwind ! Bookkeeping is not a 9 - 5 job and I would not want it any other way to be honest.
I am sure you will make the right decision in the end.
What, you've finished Julie! Pah, part timer (lol).
Actually, think I may take your lead and call it a night myself.... What sort of business is it where you pack up at midnight and it feels as though you're skiving off early!
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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.
Ive decided to go with my gut feeling (which I had from the start to be honest); I emailed them this morning advising I have reviewed it and am too busy to dedicate time to it.
It definitely does feel like the right decision, but also a nice reminder that we do have the option of choosing who we work for, unlike in my previous life where this would have meant a completely new job.
-- Edited by ChrisBolton on Friday 9th of October 2015 08:42:30 AM
I went through a spell of turning down work, I did feel bad about it, but cherry picking is the best way to grow your business and get quality clients.
My business has changed quite a bit this year due to this. Get rid of the crap and keep the good ones! The thing is you are only human and only have so many hours available to give.
Hope you are all keeping well, seems a long time ago I was on here!
Does this client need someone else. If so, I use quickbooks both desktop ad online for some clients. please pass on my email if they still ned a hand.. Stuart@stuartons.co.uk
I recently got rid of all clients who had accountants, but had appointed me to do the bookkeeping. Every single job was a nightmare, and none of them wanted to pay any more than £15 an hour... it was destroying my soul, chasing and chasing and chasing for little reward (and they dont expect to be charged for the chasing!)... not to mention the accountant was rubbing his/her hands together, about all he/she was making out of my fully reconciled (with schedules!) beautiful bookkeeping!
-- Edited by FoxAccountancyServices on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 10:03:17 PM
I have turned away a client recently because his paperwork was indecipherable. He would change existing invoices and do Save instead of Save As so I would get payment into the bank with an invoice number as the ref which didn't match the paper copy I was given and then he couldn't remember the other job! He also used his business account as a personal account so it was a mess. He was 2 VAT returns behind and wasn't helping to sort it out and I actually started to get stressed about it because I don't miss deadlines.
I am also turning away work now as I don't have enough time. I have tried to find someone to help me out but it would appear that good bookkeepers are hard to find! So I'm putting my hourly rate up and earning more that way. If some clients older want to leave that's OK because I will get new ones on the higher rate. It's a shame as I could be making more money if I could find someone good. I'm looking for someone AAT qualified if anyone is in the South and is interested...
I'm turning work away too because I can't find anyone good near me! It appears that good bookkeepers are a rarity and those that are good are too busy to work for me.
I'm in between Wellington and Honiton if anyone on here is near me
I recently got rid of all clients who had accountants, but had appointed me to do the bookkeeping. Every single job was a nightmare, and none of them wanted to pay any more than £15 an hour... it was destroying my soul, chasing and chasing and chasing for little reward (and they dont expect to be charged for the chasing!)... not to mention the accountant was rubbing his/her hands together, about all he/she was making out of my fully reconciled (with schedules!) beautiful bookkeeping!
-- Edited by FoxAccountancyServices on Wednesday 4th of November 2015 10:03:17 PM
I'm in this exact position. Only with one client though. Really tempted to disengage due to doing the majority of the work! Accountant charges £50 per month for submitting the VAT returns using my figures. The client thinks it's fine although I've told them I can submit the VAT return as part of my current fees.
I've been busy for a few days so just catching up with some of the threads.
I think that the wording being used here is causing the issue in that your are reading it that the accountant is charging £50 to file what you have done.
I would imagine that the accountant is actually charging the client to confirm your figures. Its common practice as it means that things are checked throughout the year rather than it being a bigger job at the year end.
If you do the VAT return the accountant is still going to charge to review your figures either monthly, quarterly or annually as its the accountant who is ultimately responsible for the compilation (although its the business owner who is ultuimately responsible for the contents of the accounts... Many of them don't realise that!).
If you do the return it won't save your client any money as the accountant will still charge the £50 to check the figures... Of course, if they have a lot of confidence in you then you are right, it's easy money as checking will be no more than a cursory review.
What may however happen is that your client will get peeved off believing that they are paying twice for the same work which can cause friction with the accountant who suddenly finds that they have to wait until the year end to review the paperwork making it a bigger job in one big dollop rather than the review being spread over the year (so may end up increasing fee's by more than the saved £600).
This is always going to happen when there are two completely seperate professionals involved in what is effectively one job.
Quite often this situation boils over into the accountant attempting to take in house the whole job. So, that you are having no issues with the accountant other than annoyance at the £600 that you think is being spent unneccessarily I would take that as a compliment in that it shows the accountant respects your work because he's not trying to bring the clients bookkeeping in house.
This is a little different to Michelles case where I understand her frustration especially at clients not understanding that chasing them takes our time and our time is money (they are taking time that someone else will pay for).
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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.
They are charging £200 per month for the end of year accounts. Should the checking of figures not come under that fee? Going off the VAT submission confirmation that they send to the client the return was submitted 17 mins after the vat return was emailed over.
I have turned away a client recently because his paperwork was indecipherable. He would change existing invoices and do Save instead of Save As so I would get payment into the bank with an invoice number as the ref which didn't match the paper copy I was given and then he couldn't remember the other job! He also used his business account as a personal account so it was a mess. He was 2 VAT returns behind and wasn't helping to sort it out and I actually started to get stressed about it because I don't miss deadlines.
I am also turning away work now as I don't have enough time. I have tried to find someone to help me out but it would appear that good bookkeepers are hard to find! So I'm putting my hourly rate up and earning more that way. If some clients older want to leave that's OK because I will get new ones on the higher rate. It's a shame as I could be making more money if I could find someone good. I'm looking for someone AAT qualified if anyone is in the South and is interested...
Dare I suggest that you try to find someone qualified by experience? I know some very good bookkeepers who are and who have no intention of doing the AAT. Although you might also be able to encourage them to do the AAT as well.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
I'm turning work away too because I can't find anyone good near me! It appears that good bookkeepers are a rarity and those that are good are too busy to work for me. I'm in between Wellington and Honiton if anyone on here is near me
Hi Clare
Tell all - did you have a boy or a girl? I hope you are managing to get some sleep and enjoying motherhood.
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Joanne
Winner of Bookkeeper of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017
Thoughts are my own/not to be regarded as official advice,which should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
You should check out answers with reference to the legal position
I am AAT qualified to Level 3, but have been working in Accounts for nearly 40 years, been a bookkeeper Working closely with Accountants for at least 30!
I live in South Buck, and am always looking for more work!
Been off for a while. I'm located right on the south coast and only work with clients within 10 miles of me so I'm afraid you are all too far away. I have considered qualified by experience but am still unsure if I want to grow or not really. I like working from home, it being just me. I'm not sure I want the hassle of having people working for me. But on the other hand I won't be able to work for ever so it would be nice having an income when I am old and wrinkly (or wrinklier...) in which case I need to grow. It's a tough one.
