I wrote the piece below for an entirely different audience and found myself rambling on a bit. However, in the process I started to wonder whether there are practice assurance issues peeking out from between the lines of my words.
Not long ago I had a practice asusrance process experience (survived! actually enjoyed it) and so the topic is still high in my consciousness. I am thinking that as professionals we are to provide the same standard of service whether for free or well paid. So what about that? When a client is paying for a fast efficient and CHEAP service, how much do we think we are expected to do that is not actually included in that fee? For example questions about their circumstances, why there are no cars in the balance sheet when car costs are being paid (ok that may be a bit extreme to not ask, but it's out there), how about querying things that seem to be being funded that we cannot see the costs for because it's all done via the private accounts and the client doesn't realise there maybe deductible expenses in there. Are we required to cross question them or indeed question them at all? Or do we simply produce based on the "information and explanations" (i.e. the spreadsheet that he loudly proclaims does all our work for us). Do we truly give them what they ask for?
Be careful what you ask for? Springs to mind.
Best wishes everyone,
Anthony - see below for the piece.
p.s. as far as I can see there is zero self promotion below or anywhere herein, I trust we all agree. I am a new poster here so patience please, with my thanks.
Here's the piece I wrote:
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In the wrong place: 2
Parentheses are (almost always) superfluous.
-- Kind regards Andy
PS. I wouldn't say it was inaccurate, but probably too candid especially if for a non-accountant audience.
JC it's not a blog, it's a question about practice assurance
I grant that having seen your instant response, I should perhaps change the title, which says "I wrote this blog"; when while I did write "this blog", my post is NOT a blog. It's a request for peer group feedback concerning quality of service in practice and it does not require the blog section to be read, perhaps a quick scan if anything, a sit is not pitched at us accountants, it is pitched at clients and indeed affects us all.
I'll change the title. Thanks for your "heads up". Anthony
ouch! Andy I was afraid of that
Yes I admit excessive (use of) brackets. I'm too busy fixing spelling mistakes. I'm sure I am getting worse.
The thrust of my question is whether we as accountants are expected by society to do more than we are actually doing and whether competition (another discussion) is damaging the quality fo the work we do and as such the professionals as a whole. As well as exposing us to risk as individuals regarding Practice Assurance.
If this "wrong place" persists I'll rewrite the questions and give a link to the original page, as long as that is not seen as overtly flogging myself which is against the rules herein.
I very much need to know what my peers think, aside from whether this is a blog, which it is not.
How's that? - Anthony
ok, relented sharply, new user, do as I am told.
I have moved the blog section and left the practice Assurance questions with a link to anew post in the blogs section,clearly marked as written for clients, NOT us accountants.
And no parentheses. Just an And at the start of the sentance (I'm kidding!).
Anthony
Apologies, Anthony
My 'wrong place' heading was a weak attempt at humour (regarding the brackets). I get a bit stir crazy at this time of year. It's the stress you know.
I subscribe to the view that accountants get the clients they deserve and clients, by and large, get the service they deserve. In practical terms those that are prepared to pay well will inevitably get a better service, starting with a nice cup of tea or coffee on arrival and a brief chat about their loved ones. I am sure there are more relevant examples to be voiced but already I wonder if I am being unprofessional by not offering all clients a hot beverage.
Incidentally, who was your blog aimed at? Edit - clients? That was brave.
-- Kind regards Andy
Damaging
@Anthony - The business society expects very little from accountants other than to be accurate and ethical. However, I think they hope for more and are delighted when a firm does surprise them.
Is competition damaging the quality of the work we do? No, it is just damaging firms’ margin and capital value.
Bob Harper