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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Not lazy
Just got better things to do !
3 weeks is not a long time to be waiting in my experience
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.
....
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 !
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.
Procrastination????
Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you can possibly leave to next week.
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.
Signed accounts on file
Do you not keep a signed set of the accounts on your files though?
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.
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