I don't want your clients

Of course I am happy to accept new business and to help new and growing businesses, but I sometimes wish I didn't have to. Like today, I had a meeting with a very pleasant young lady who has been dealing with a relatively well-regarded local sole practitioner. Over the years she seems to have just accepted that tax returns are usually filed late, even though her accountant has had the records some six months before the deadline. In fact, most of the work he has done seems to have come with a complementary fine or penalty of some sort! I think sometimes he has paid them, but generally she has been spun a yarn and paid them herself.

Why? Is he too busy - incompetent - disorganised - other, plus all of the above? Who knows.

The good news is that this lady was recommended to speak to us by one of our clients. She was amazed that it is normal for accountants to:

- do what they say they are going to do
- do what they are asked to do
- and do it when they say they are going to do it
- do things well in advance of deadlines
- give clients as much notice as possible of forthcoming tax bills
- show some interest in their business and provide unsolicited advice
- oh yes, and of course, agree fees up front and stick to the agreement.

Come on practitioners, none of this is rocket science. In fact, I would suggest if you get yourself organised it makes good commercial and practical sense - well practiced competence is less of an effort and stress than sloppy incompetence.

Yes, I would like some of your clients, but only if I can offer them a service or a fee level that you can't offer - for the sake of the profession, for our reputation generally, I would rather not have to come behind you mopping up your messes!