That email you received, asking to see your qualifications would have thrown me. I'm sure it's more than reasonable, but if I read something which makes me think, ah? That's enough to put me off.

Hi Valerie,

Whilst requiring evidence that you are who and what you say you are is quite acceptable and should even be commended in many cases. its the psycology of some small business owners that from the get go they attempt to ensure that they emphasise that you are working for them, not with them. As if you are applying for a job not offering a service.

I've had this a few of times (as an aside, coincidently always with web design businesses) where they attempt to treat you as an employee applying for a job rather than a business looking to work with their company.

I find that the best approach is to be prepared for the meeting by having access to the previous periods books and records (which of course one needs in order to give a realistic quote). Then at the meeting take them appart putting them on the defensive whilst indicating that you have solutions to the encountered problems.

There's no DLA to pick on in your case so look at things such as deteriorating key ratio's, debtor and creditor payment periods, liquidity, etc. Alll of which are excellent sources for making business owners realise who in the room actually understands what they are doing and whose just playing at it.

Be careful not to advise the business owners based upon your own comfort areas. For example, you mention about incorporation. The approach needs to be that you talk them through the benefits and pitfalls of that business model and make the decision theirs, not yours. There cannot be any bias in your advice.

Try not to let the clients get under your skin. On the day make them understand that they are attempting to sell themselves to you, not the other way around. It may seeem a little thing now but if these things are not established from the get go, then perceptions are difficult to alter later in the relationship.

Good luck Valerie, let us all know how it works out.

kindest regards,

Shaun.

Good luck with the client

For me it's about the timing of asking for such. Ask at the very beginning, then fine. If I got an email afterwards I'd wonder if they'd be questioning my skills. For me personally, it would make me slightly paranoid. But that's just me :)

Provide them your practice licence number, which proves that you are necessarily qualified to run your own practice.

Just a little update since you were all kind enough to calm me in my rage.

I did go to the appointment after receiving an email back which said

"no problems regarding the qualifications, we do need your help not that of a Chartered Accountant"

So far so good, however, gut instincts as we all know are generally correct. Manners were much improved on arrival but it soon became clear that here is a contractor wishing to set up a Ltd co to work for one company and is in fact an employee. I didn't need to be a Chartered Accountant to pick up on that one!

Client clearly already aware of this and will " invoice my mate from time to time"

The advice he required however was that of a Chartered Accountant on a bookkeepers salary!

Despite me advising that I could outline business structures but ultimately this would be his decision - I apparently should have been able to advise on correct Business Structure, no of directors/shareholders, what salary to pay, how often to pay dividends, how much he will save in tax and ni etc etc and all this because he knows what his salary is (of course he does because hes an employee!!!)

Rant over. I agreed to set up the company once he has made his decision, carry out the monthly bookkeeping and get a quote for the year end work

Thanks for all the advice