For some unknown reason I am getting new clients by the day and I was considering emailing the previous accountants rather than posting the standard letter in the hope that the other accountant will just send the information back by email
Do any accountingweb members use email for this purpose or have any views on it.?
Many thanks for any input
Replies (25)
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Personally would still send a letter
Just I think it is more professional and gives the accountant time to sort things out. Just my personal view.
Why?
What is the advantage of letters over email?
You seem to think it's more professional. Do you send all information and requests by letter?
None I suppose - just a personal choice.
I am aware I have to change some of my ways and perhaps this is one of them.!!!
I do both!
Write letter ( it comes off system and just needs editing) print, scan, email, post, phone for chat. Not everybody clears their email regularly, so I like to be sure they got it.
Chris Smail www.langer.co.uk
Sorry
Given the standard of the letters I receive from people applying for jobs I didn't think that was the case.
I usually send prof clearance letters by post, simply because I assume many firms are old school. I sometimes send by email if my client has told me that they are fine with it.
I always reply to prof clearance by email, whether they've asked for it or not!
I don't think there's anything in the "more professional" argument. Times have moved on. Writing a letter is a PITA compared with an email.
I also encourage the old accountants to email me the prior year tax returns, etc as email attachments rather than print them out and post them.
what I do....
Is email the old accountant and ask if they would prefer to send the info electronically, so far every one has said yes they would rather email and it is so much quicker !
Getting an answer
I always email, because its instant. But I am finding more and more that I just don`t get an answer! Probably because clients are more mobile and accountancy firms are seeing this. So, its email, letter and get the client to hound them. Eventually they relent but not always!
"Probably because clients are
"Probably because clients are more mobile and accountancy firms are seeing this."
What does that mean?
Do you phone the accountant to nag them?
Mobile clients
Just to clarify, clients are less scared about going to a new accountant to get Stats done. In the past they were more reluctant as they were scared stiff of revenue. Now there is more competition between accountants and its becoming more commercial and less of a club.
No I don`t phone them, I think that would be aggressive. If they don`t answer to an email/letter nagging from their client there may well be an unpaid bill?
We phone if necessary. We've never had any 'attitude' for doing so, and it's speeded things along.
me too
I still post the letter but ask for a response by email, 99% comply.
Also if I get a request I respond by email and have refused to send hard copies of tax returns, as I have supplied copies to the client.
Phoning
Thanks for that, I appreciate your input. I`ll phone the stubborn ones and try to get things going. I always felt that our ethics would get a response.