My client, who I have always had a good relationship with has now taken on an admin clerk who does the mundane day to day tasks and is sort of acting as a secretary as well. I go in once or twice a week to do the bookkeeping/accounts. Some weeks I don't see my client depending on when I go in but its never been a problem as anything that wanted signing I would leave in a folder. Communication was by email if I had a problem or needed to make them aware of anything. Just lately it has been come apparent that the admin clerk would aspire to do some or all of my job, just little things but I definitely have a sharp pain between the shoulder blades.
As my client is now very busy and has expanded somewhat she has asked that I pass on any advice /issues, cheques for signing etc to the admin clerk . So I wondered how this effects my letter of engagement - seeing as it was addressed and signed by the business owner?
More to the point - SHE has asked? Not your client? I wouldnt take any instructions from her until your client has specifically indicated that you should (plus what the boundaries of her authority are!). He is of course able to delegate tasks to her, especially if he is under increasing pressure due to business expansion, but I would suggest you have a brief chat with him to check the position, certainly passing on cheques for signing and issues to her isnt a problem, but I would resist the 'advice' bit on the basis that if the message is passed through a third party then he might not be getting the correct message - its diluted/bits missed out, so you will continue to email him. Plus if said 'issues' are not resolved then of course you would go to him.
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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
