Hi Valerie
Just a quick post whilst Im already on here (sorry really up against it and was just on a two minute break!) - so it sounds lke this Accountant is not looking to outsource the work, but is looking at a need for a part time employee. Either way he will be looking to keep his bill down whilst still invoicing his usual rates to clients, so much of it depends on whether you stick to your guns or not. I will not compromise on my price - win some and lose some. But Im in a good position in that Im turning work away so whilst I would still say do not ever sell yourself short, I do appreciate that you have to consider your own finances/business position. Good thing is - that whilst they have said that they are unable to meet your price they still want to meet with you, so you havent scared them off altogether. If I were you I would do a bit of digging via google and see if they have been looking for staff and see if they mention a rate, also perhaps have a look on Indeed or better still something like Hays/Reed to see what the going rate is for such. But then maybe go in and be the first one (after rapport building/early-ish in the meeting) to ask - what is your maximum offer? Then negotiate to meet somewhere in the middle, but go in knowing what your absolute bottom line rate is - bear in mind the fact that working 20 hours on site will restrict what you can do and your speed of answering queries etc from existing clients as you dont want to damage those relationships.

When is your meeting?

-- Edited by Cheshire on Tuesday 18th of April 2017 03:12:04 PM

Hi Eek, (Lol, Valerie)

in my experience that doesn't tend to happen.

When people are trusted their work may be checked before using it to present to a client but there's no sitting on shoulders watching every key stroke... Then again, that might just be around me where people know that if they tried micro managing me they could lose teeth.

As for negotiating a price, remember that they are not paying employers NI, or Pension contributions, or holidays, or sickpay, or training... Factor all that in when negotiating a price which needs to be higher than they would pay a permie... Have you any idea wha your local rate is for permie accounting technicians? That said the accountant is no doubt working on the basis that they get a motivated fully trained person, off payroll and pension at a bargain price so ensure that they understand that you know the game and whilst you are prepared to play you are also not a charity.

However, also factor in what you are going to learn at the practice. I've taken loss leaders myself to pick up new technical skills.

There's no definitive response that anyone here can give as every scenario is different. Just go in there and get the best deal that you can factoring in the savings that the accountant will be making (he still has to make some saving or there is nothing in it for him. Just narrow thew gap a bit).

all the best,

Shaun.

Thanks Shaun and thanks again Joanne.

My 20 year old self would have strolled into the office with bags of confidence but I think 3 children later and 10 years working on the kitchen table has seemingly removed me from the real world.

I've been having a dig around at typical salaries for accounting technicians and it seems this practice have been trying to recruit staff. I think no matter how hard I negotiate I would be taking quite a drop in what I could normally expect to earn but this would provide a bulk amount of work which I wouldn't expect from any one client and a potential area of learning for me since I have never been in practice at all.

I feel they will attempt to offer me an employed position and while I like the idea of the stability, I feel I would lose the flexibility which attracted me to self employment in terms of working school hours only. In the school holidays I currently work early mornings and evenings to avoid any childcare costs and while they appear to be very accommodating, I doubt they would relish the idea of 6 weeks holiday in the summer. Unless of course, as Joanne suggests they would allow me to take some work off site.

Roll on Tuesday now, I will let you know the outcome.

Hey,

What is your ultimate goal, extra work or further academic knowledge and training?

Is the accountancy practice Chartered?

Do you aim to be a Chartered Accountant?

If it were myself in your position, and the practice was Chartered, I think, no, I know, I'd take the role - I'd do so without even talking figures due to excitement. But that's possibly not a wise idea lol.

As an aside to that, congratulations on being offered the position.