Changing to working from home - staying professional

Changing to working from home - staying...

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I've always had an office (albeit a small one) I've decided to give it up and work from home. Deciding is partly lifestyle - fed up with commuting - and partly to save money.

I'm interested how others manage meeting clients (I can't really do that at home) and if they publish their addredd on their website or business cards. I'm reluctant to do that but too tight to pay for mail forwarding.

In the question I refer to 'staying professional'. What I mean is avoiding giving the impression that my practice is a hobby rather than a business. Some clients may think this and there's not much I can do about snobs but I don't want to perpetuate the myth. My clients are mainly small OMB tradesmen and contractors and I guess they wouldn't be too bothered.

Interested in any other practical issues to be overcome and the experience of those that do use mail forwarding etc..
Brian

Replies (20)

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By coolmanwithbeard
03rd Dec 2008 20:40

No Tie and slippers
Yep no tie, slippers and a dedicated office (except one machine is currently being used by one of the kids for homework.)

My clients like it, some visit me I visit others and it works well. My office is upstairs and we have two lounges down - one of which is used for meetings leaving the family undisturbed. I have 2 part time staff that come and go as required.

Forget Jeremy Kyle (I work best 7-12) and go bargain hunting at lunchtime!! especially since working lunch dumbed down.

I have clients that live in walking distance (nearest is the guesthouse next door but one) and clients hundreds of miles away.

In terms of professionalism - they get good service - I have good quality software (Digita) and much is done online.

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Rebecca Benneyworth profile image
By Rebecca Benneyworth
03rd Dec 2008 22:24

phones
I know you're sorted with phones, but if anyone is interested I have 8 numbers on an old ISDN line (broadband now on separate line).
That gives me 8 consecutive numbers and with the aid of a mini automated switch system the physical phones ring according to how I have the numbers routed.

To me not only working "from home" but with 3 separate businesses located there (plus old fax line etc) plus a number for me & hubby and another one for the teenagers I find it absolutely essential. Bit of set up cost but now works like a dream. Kids don't answer the business lines and I don't have to keep picking up for my 5 kids (that's a lot of calls!).

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By AnonymousUser
03rd Dec 2008 17:06

Real life!?
Monday 1st December
I Caught You In Bed Three Times With Different Men… I Need Proof I’m The Dad!
Friday 28th November
Britain’s Most Racially Abused Man Confronts A Self-Confessed Racist
Thursday 27th November
Why Is My Daughter Wasting Her Life On A Man Who Is Older Than Me?
Wednesday 26th November
Broken Families: Lie Detector Results

Ah I see .... point and laugh at the stupid people! My advice would be to hold out a bit longer before you have your coffee.

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By User deleted
03rd Dec 2008 15:22

working from home
For the benefit of Steve and Ronnie Jeremy Kyle show is broadcast at 9.30am on ITV (coffee break time) it is essential viewing for accountants since it gives an insight into the real world which many accountants do not know exist!!

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By Jimess
03rd Dec 2008 14:03

Working from home - staying professional
I have just done the opposite and moved into a small office after working from home for three years. I loved working from home and never came across anyone who considered it unprofessional. Professionalism is an attitude and state of mind and as long as you have a professional approach to your clients and your work the rest is irrelevant. The only reason I moved from home to office is that my practice is growing and I do not have the space at home to accomodate the ever growing number of filing cabinets and to accomodate the staff I need to help with the workload. The only downsides to working from home are that you can sometimes find it hard to switch off and the social aspects connected with going out to work should not be underestimated. I had the same phone line for home and office, but used a different ringtone for family & friends. Family members soon accepted that daytime was my work time and did not drop in unexpectedly during the day and I can't say that I ever watched daytime TV - I kept a room as an office [***] library away from the TV. I used my home address for agent correspondence with HMRC and never had a problem with that, there are implications but you will need to weigh that up. I used a room at a local business agency for initial meetings with clients more for security reasons rather than anything else, but once I got to know clients I had no objections to them calling round to bring books and records etc - most people are courteous and ring first if they know it is your home address and I used to prime clients with "please ring before you call round to make sure I am here". Once you get into a work routine it just becomes so easy. I would say that since I have moved to the office I have lost several hours of work time per week because I can't be as flexible. Go for it and enjoy it and don't get bogged down in the "what will people think" syndrome.

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By AnonymousUser
03rd Dec 2008 08:58

Change what you see as a weakness ...
to a strength. With low overheads you should be price competetive against a high street practice .... sell that to your clients. You don't have an office and therefore you can meet your clients at THEIR convenience. Believe me, busy people appreciate not taking a half day out to see their accountant. Most decent hotels have very nice lobbys and provided you buy a coffee you are free to have meetings in the comfy chairs.

I now live on the Isle of Wight and travel to my clients on the mainland once per week, so home visits are not an issue anymore. In my experience though no client ever expected to come to my home. I have never heard of Jeremy Kyle, so that is not an issue either ... oh and I wear slippers!

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By rhangus.
02nd Dec 2008 20:02

what a load of rollocks
You people keep talking irrelevant claptrap.

Brian the 4 points u make r of utter indifference to me. You go ahead and waste your time on some diluted version of Working From Home and talk about boring subjects and leave me to wear the slippers and enjoy my home comforts whilst do my so called work.

My elevenses, if i've started by then, starts at 10 and ends at 11 when im watching Fox News Oreilly Factor. Thats maybe when Kylie is on. What is Kylie anyway? Some African plant that grows in the desert? u carry on then.

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By johnhughesaca
02nd Dec 2008 19:38

Not anti social
Brian, with regards clients not getting over the door step, I politely explain that I do not have anywhere in my house to see them. If they want to discuss something, I am more than happy to meet them at their house / office.

Re telephones. I only have one phone line at home, but with 2 numbers. This is a BT 'add on' (costs buttons - much much less than a second line). The phone line has 2 distinctive different rings depending upon which number is called - one personal and the other business.

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By neileg
02nd Dec 2008 14:57

I've worked from home
I found that having a dedicated work room (even if it's still really a bedroom) helps the self discipline. In the room, you're at work, some where else in the house, you're home.

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By User deleted
02nd Dec 2008 13:43

Thanks for the responses...
The issues for me are:
1. I use a VOIP number for telephone calls and can easily divert calls. I previously found a telephone answering to be a waste of money but some swear by it.

2. I'm considering mail forwarding but expect I'd just use this to put on business cards and marketing and would give clients my home address anyway. I'd rather not put my home address on marketing stuff or my website but worry that no address could give a poor impression. Clients also often like to know if you're local.

3. I'd rather not meet clients at home and am encouraged that John has managed so long without inviting them in. I'm not being anti-social its just awkward.

4. Those with mailing addresses am I right in assuming you give your home address to you Institute and HMRC as an agent?

Sorry if some of the questions are a bit inane but I'm keen not to mess it up!

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By User deleted
02nd Dec 2008 13:37

A Tie???
I work in an office and we have had a 'no tie' policy for the last 10 years.

I can't believe anyone wears a tie to sit in their garage watching Mr Kyle.

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By User deleted
02nd Dec 2008 12:37

.
The only thing I don't like about working from home is that I find it hard to switch off. If you have an evening and just want to sit around reading or whatever, my mind often wanders back to work and then going off to do just a bit more on that tax return at 11 o'clock at night.I know some can switch off. I can't properly.

But the benefits way out weigh the bad bits.

Roger - you only mention the need for socks and slippers. I trust that you also wear other items of clothing? If you socks have the business logo on them, i guess they would be an allowable expense.

Out of interest, I know a few accountants who work from home wear a shirt and tie even if no-one is coming to see them. I don't. But does anyone else?

Also, could there be a problem with clients visiting the house from a business rates / insurance point of view?

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By User deleted
02nd Dec 2008 11:56

working from home
I am surprised that nobody has mentioned that you can watch Jeremy Kyle in comfort!! I prefer sandals to slippers!!

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By rhangus.
02nd Dec 2008 11:10

Ignore the utter tosh
Some peeps keep on mentioning the telephone. Please dont put any importance on that, just make sure u wear the right socks.

The technology is wonderful up here, we can tell who is calling by looking at the phone as no. and maybe even the name pop up and we can even set the client ring to a different tune compared with friends or family or pains in the [***].

I trust u dont need to know about the canary islands?

I trust you will see your clienst mainly at home with your slippers on like me?

Its all nice and simple, forget the nonsense, its great.

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By User deleted
02nd Dec 2008 10:26

.
We have a small family practise and still work from home - we live in the canary islands. I visit UK for 5 days a month and visit clients then. The rest of the month I am in canaries working over the internet and by phone / fax / web conference.

We've been out here for 3 years and clients seem to relish telling their colleagues that they are going to see their accountant in the canary islands!! We have about 6 - 10 clients a year come visit.

I found it has actually helped my work. I spend 5 days a month visiting clients. So all my visits are in a block. When living in the UK I was constantly out and about, and it's amazing how much time you loose seeing one client a day.

Any post goes to my dads UK address and (he is a qualified accountant too) he scans and emails me important stuff. I email letters etc to him and he prints out, signs and posts off. Never had a problem using home address.

To keep it professional, I have a proper website and email address for the practise, spend a little bit more on professional letter heads and business cards. I have a UK phone line (on skype - which can divert to my mobile) and I ALWAYS reply to a client same day. That has been key I think. I thought I would loose clients being away for 3 weeks a month, but infact so far we have lost none (touch wood!!) and gained about 10.

When I worked from home in UK i think clients liked it as you were more on their level (we deal with mainly small self employed) working from home and a raport is easier to build.

So go for it.

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By User deleted
02nd Dec 2008 10:08

.
I work from home part time, and find it quite difficult to 'switch off', but its not a major problem. If I take an urgent call from a client, I can deal with the matter immediately.

I'm thinking of following Dave and building a seperate 'office' outside.

I use a Regus VO service, and use their workspace part time also. They have serviced offices for initial meetings with clients & third parties. I'm quite upfront with clients and tell them the truth, and it does look much more professional to have a decent address on your letterhead.

Additional phone line costs £10 pcm, and eFax about £70 a year. I use an external backup (Carbonite - £25 pa) to backup important files live.

Good luck!

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By johnhughesaca
02nd Dec 2008 09:59

It works for me
In the 10 years I have been working from home, I have never let a client get over the doorstep. They call and drop things off every now and then, but they stay at the front door. I always travel and see clients at their homes / businesses. It suits me AND them.

As far as I am aware, I have never lost / not won a client because I work from home.

Now, I am offf to the kitchen for a cuppa and a biscuit....

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By User deleted
02nd Dec 2008 09:27

working from home
You need to consider having separate private and business phone lines unless you are prepared to accept clients ringing you up with a nasty tax bill just as you are on your way to the match!!

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By rhangus.
02nd Dec 2008 00:45

Great to work from home
Firtsly let me get him out the way.
I would recommend a shed for Mr Peavely too

Ive worked from home for 8 yrs. Dont quite know where u get this idea that clients will think its a hobby. Sounds like u have a similar client base to me and none of my clients think that of me.

It is great to work from home and meeting clients is just not a problem. Things I'm sure r as youd imagine them to be.
Ive never had the need to meet a client at a neutral venue. Coffee is free at my house. With the client base we both have they seem to enjoy the informal atmosphere and i generally convert all who come for my free initial consultation.

Most people if they are honest would love to work from home and 90% of the rest are liars.

What else can i tell u, its fantastic.

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By Dave Paveley
01st Dec 2008 23:15

Forget mail forwarding..

Virtual office addresses are really easy to spot and are just an expensive way to delay your correspondence.

None of my fears about using my home address ever came to fruition in the past 4 years of being in practice from home.

If you do not wish to have meetings at home then it is either a case of visiting the client or using a local hotel/coffee shop/bar. I regularly meet clients at a mutually convenient hotel or coffee shop. Not a problem at all.

I often find that potential clients see me as more personable and approachable because I do not operate from a swanky office.

Oh, and if you need a bit of separation then get yourself a shed from gembuild.co.uk. Ideal!

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