Are clients lazy?

Are clients lazy?

Didn't find your answer?

I still hadn't got signed accounts back from a client after three weeks of chasing. He kept saying he'd been "too busy".

In attempt to shame him into making the minimal effort required I said: “Would it make it easier if I asked my wife to come to you at home or at work so you only have to sign what she puts in front of you?”

His answer was: “If that isn't inconvenient then that would be great.”!

While arranging the visit he said: “I do have to go for a two hour run at some point”.

I didn’t bother asking him if he passed a letter box!

Replies (20)

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By occca
14th Feb 2010 14:25

Not lazy

Just got better things to do !

3 weeks is not a long time to be waiting in my experience

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By cymraeg_draig
14th Feb 2010 15:07

payment ?

Just a guess - is he as lazy when it comes to paying his bill?

I would arrange to go round to get the accounts signed, and tell him that while you're there you might as well give him your bill and get his cheque.

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By petersaxton
14th Feb 2010 15:19

Not bad

To be fair he is not bad at paying his bill.

Was the better things to do a joke? Because one of the biggest causes of inefficiency is procrastination. People spend longer avoiding doing things or explaining why they don't have time to do something rather than just doing it.

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By Steve Knowles
14th Feb 2010 15:53

My View

We have always said that our job would be all right if it wasn't for the clients

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By occca
14th Feb 2010 16:21

....

I'm not debating whether delaying it is right or wrong, I'm just stating that most clients don't feel that their accounts are important, and that they have better things to do with their time than deal with them

As I say this is just my experience !

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By petersaxton
14th Feb 2010 16:43

Common sense

I have better things to do with my time than put the rubbish out but I use common sense.

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By Jason Dormer
14th Feb 2010 16:52

Putting the rubbish out

So do I, I get my wife to do it.

 

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By Jason Dormer
14th Feb 2010 16:59

Accounts sign off

Joking aside Peter, have you asked the client why he can't get around to doing what we consider to be a simple task? does he not want to sign off something that he doesn't understand? 

Is it worth going through them face to face and expaining the content rather than your wife going over?

I think that three weeks is too long, better to discuss and get sign off while all information is fresh in the head and memory starts to fade.

Also think that all clients should be coming in for discussion and meeting rather than accounts being sent in the post.

 

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By SteveOH
14th Feb 2010 17:36

Procrastination????

Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you can possibly leave to next week.

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By petersaxton
14th Feb 2010 17:44

It's attitude

“Joking aside Peter, have you asked the client why he can't get around to doing what we consider to be a simple task? does he not want to sign off something that he doesn't understand?”

He says it’s because he’s in the middle of an office move and he’s working at night.

He understands them.

“Is it worth going through them face to face and expaining the content rather than your wife going over?”

No, he understands them.

“I think that three weeks is too long, better to discuss and get sign off while all information is fresh in the head and memory starts to fade.”

He’s a consultant it’s not complicated.

“Also think that all clients should be coming in for discussion and meeting rather than accounts being sent in the post.”

I email 99%. It’s the signed copy that can’t be emailed. The accounts are very simple for both my clients and myself. My clients prefer to talk about anything other than accounts.

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By Jason Dormer
14th Feb 2010 18:02

Are clients lazy?

So he is in the middle of an office move, works at night, and goes on 2 hour runs?

Answer to your question then is that this one isn't lazy - just doesn't place the same emphasis of importance on signing off his accounts as you do as his accountant.

All else being equal, he pays on time as you say and doesn't give you any real problems (and accounts are not or soon to become overdue) then no real problem.

Not saying you personally Peter, but sometimes accountants tend to forget how busy and time poor some clients are, and when they do get some spare time the last thing they want to do is look at business papers even if it is just a case of signing them. 

 

 

 

 

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By petersaxton
14th Feb 2010 18:16

Just signing

He's already agreed the accounts and I'd submitted the tax return and accounts online so it is simply a question of signing the thing not reading it.

I don't like the Companies House online submission tool but it does seem to be less hassle than getting some people to sign the accounts!

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By occca
14th Feb 2010 18:20

Signed accounts on file

Do you not keep a signed set of the accounts on your files though?

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By Jason Dormer
14th Feb 2010 18:26

Bizarre

Just got to sign it?  No real excuse then, how hard can it be?

I've long given up trying to work some clients out - even the A list have some bizarre traits.

I just try and make life as easy as possible for them when they don't do what they have to do - which is what you are clearly doing from your OP.

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By petersaxton
14th Feb 2010 18:28

No need

No, why?

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By occca
14th Feb 2010 18:40

...

How do you prove that they agreed the accounts then?  Do they approve by email?

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By petersaxton
14th Feb 2010 18:59

Feel better if your on top of your work first

I know that you have more control when you are self employed but I always do the quick things first and then I find I don't have so much time pressure because I haven't had to swat off reminders and less stress because I don't have a big To Do list.

I am really concentrating on getting data to me early now and so I have to be on top of my work first.

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By petersaxton
14th Feb 2010 19:14

Yes

 Yes

The vast majority of agreements are by email. It is quicker and easier than paper - usually.

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By User deleted
15th Feb 2010 16:19

bit dodgy peter

sending 'er indoors around if he's one of those athletic work out types isn't it...??

the unfortunate reality is that we've all got to recognise that those wonderful works of art we call accounts that we prepare with such loving care and expertise have about as much interest to most of our clients as a wet weekend in Bognor..watch closely and you'll notice their eyes glazing over as you valiantly try and explain why their directors loan account went overdrawn yet again....so afraid "been too busy" is a euphemism for "can't be bothered with that c**p"...

or am I cynical ??

pembo

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By petersaxton
15th Feb 2010 16:25

Wives, clients and accounts

Who says I'm not athletic and stuff?

About the accounts I think you've hit the nail on the head, though.

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