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Not bad, could be so much better

30th Jan 2013
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My January has been far better than previous years. I now have only 2 partnership returns to complete one of which is about 80% complete and the other about 60% complete.

Both these partnerships are my highest fees payers. They are both equally bad in not giving me the information in time for me to have a less stressful January.

I will just not take this from them anymore. Of course I will be diplomatic and say to them if they do not provide me the information by the end of July they can take hike. I will not be able to produce the returns in time. These will be completed in February/March.

The thing that really got my goat is one client who did not want to pay extra fees for his tax return called me three times asking questions on completing his return DIY. I am too nice and answered his questions. I did say to him that he refused to pay me to prepare his return now he was asking questions. I made it clear to him this that is the last time I will help him unless he is willing to pay.

I have lost new business because I did not give sufficient time to potential clients who either wanted to meet me or wanted a telephone discussion. I should have spent more time with them. My mind was occupied with tax returns. 

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By petersaxton
30th Jan 2013 18:36

The problem is

that clients think that insisting you need 6 months to prepare accounts is ridiculous.

I am going to try to do work as soon as I get the information. If I am good at that I think I could even do the work when people are late. I am aiming to do whatever work I get in and then chase clients by phone say half a day ever Monday. They'll soon get fed up of it. 

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By Joe from Funding Options
31st Jan 2013 09:30

Don't despair. They'll be new business to gain in February too.

A common complaint at this time of year I'm sure. January is after all the mad month.

It's for this exact reason that we delayed our latest round of SME finance seminars for accountants until February. After some successful seminars in November we were really keen to roll out the next set as soon as possible. One problem; January!

We knew straight away it would be a complete waste of time as accountants are simply inundated, so had to schedule them for February instead. An unwanted delay but a necessary one.

At least it's almost over!

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