How many of you out there are sole practitioners?

Stressed and looking for advice!

Didn't find your answer?

I have just joined accounting web so I apologise if this has been asked before.

I am a sole practioner and have been for 8 years.  I am completely stressed, working 7 days a week for yes reasonable money but for very unappreciative clients (about 75%) .  I feel like packing it all in and sailing into the sunset and then finding a completely unstressful job that at the end of every day I can leave work at work and go home and forget.  Are there other people out there feeling like this or is it just me?  If you have ever found yourself in this position what have you done to overcome it?  I feel like a complete failure at the moment.  I don't want to discuss with my family as I don't want anyone else worrying.

I can't describe it but I feel like I am in a constant state of anxiety wondering what the day is going to bring and what is going to go wrong.  It means everything takes so much longer as I just cannot focus.  It is affecting my health I know and I am not sure how much more I can take.

I would really just appreciate understanding what other people have gone through.

Thank you for taking your time to read this.

 

 

 

Replies (35)

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By SpreadsheetUser
03rd Aug 2017 11:22

Sorry to hear what you are going through.

I am a sole trader but, having been in poorly paid accounting jobs before I set up, I am comfortable working less hours than I did for someone else yet for more money.

As it happens this turned out to be a good decision because I am now partially sighted so couldn't work full time for someone. I work when I choose to but would guess it averages 4 days a week

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the sea otter
By memyself-eye
03rd Aug 2017 11:23

You need to step back for moment and ask yourself why so many of your clients are 'unappreciative' Granted we accountants will never be on any one's birthday honours list but most clients should at least be 'aware' of the value you bring. If not you need to either be more selective, or look at your working practices which brings me on to the seven days a week. You must be earning a packet or charging too little to be spending that much time. If the former try hiring someone, if the latter up your fees and spend more time NOT doing accounts.

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Mark Lee headshot 2023
By Mark Lee
07th Aug 2017 09:25

Sorry to hear you feel like this. Not sure if it helps to hear that you're not alone. Many of the sole practitioners I have worked with felt the same way and complained of similar feelings.

Equally it doesn't have to be this way.

Let's focus on the positives first. You're not a failure. You've built a profitable practice and have attracted lots of clients who are paying you good money.

Over the last 8 years you have also learned lots of things. Including what you don't like. As I say, you're not alone. Lots of sole practitioner accountants talk about the same things (incl stress, unappreciative clients and working too many hours).

Many just continue as before. Frustrated, fed up and failing to earn what they're worth.

You have a choice. You can carry on doing what you've always done. In which case, nothing will change for the better.

Or you can decide to take action to change your future. You can do this alone - which is generally easier in theory than in practice. Or you can get some focused and relevant help, support and encouragement.

If you want to know more, I have shared many tips and tricks for sole practitioners who want to be more successful on my blog.

Feel free to get in touch direct and let's see what we can do to get you out of your rut.

Mark Lee
www.bookmarklee.co.uk/savvy

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By andy.partridge
03rd Aug 2017 11:34

It's not just you. The job can be stessful but the solution is not as difficult as you might think. Just for starters:

1. You are too busy - get rid of the low profit clients who take up a disproportionate amount of your time

2. You are too stressed - identify the clients who cause it and either change the way you work with them or get rid of them

3. Consider increasing your fees to the clients you are left with to make up the shortfall from the cull

PS. You can PM me if you want me to elaborate

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Red Leader
By Red Leader
03rd Aug 2017 11:32

You do need to work less. It's not as if we're working in A&E. It's only tax and accounts.

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By gemmalambshead
03rd Aug 2017 12:34

Sorry to hear that you are feeling like this. I don't think that you can be "a complete failure" (your words not mine) if you have been running a sole practitioner accounting practice for eight years.
Shame that you are working for unappreciative clients, do the 75% unappreciative clients make up 75% of your turnover? Is their scope to lose a couple of the most troublesome/stressful clients?
Do you have staff and if not, is it possible to ask your family to help you with the simpler tasks and administration? Possibly consider taking on some help with administration/basic book keeping if finances will allow, although taking on an employee may bring other stresses as well as benefits.
Working seven days a week is not good (says she who seems to work every weekend) but sometimes you need to walk away from work, unwind and your thoughts will be much clearer.
If you can stand back a bit and try to isolate the things that are causing you most stress.
I am very happy being a sole practitioner, do sometimes find it stressful particularly meeting all of the deadlines, but am very lucky in that I have a supportive husband who helps with the work and who listens when I am starting to get stressed, makes a big difference if you can talk about it.
It almost sounds as though you do need to talk to your family particularly if they will be supportive.
Hope that you are feeling less stressed and working on nice clients today.
Kind regards

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By adam.arca
03rd Aug 2017 12:43

I've been there. About 10 years ago, I was probably in a very similar position to yourself as work ruled my life simply because I had so much to do. I had already come to the conclusion I was being daft but the eureka moment for me was my son starting to play kiddies' football: I desperately wanted to watch but "couldn't" because I always worked Sundays. That made me realise I was missing my kids growing up.

Whatever your eureka moment is, you just need to learn to say no to clients (it isn't that hard once you start). Yes, you'll lose a few clients but you'll need to do that anyway and stabilise again at a lower level if you want to get your life back.

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By cbp99
03rd Aug 2017 13:33

I think many Aweb members will recognise this, although I am surprised at 75% of unappreciative clients. I can only speak for myself, but would think closer to 10% would be normal. In which case my suggestion would be simple - get rid of that 10%. If it is more, identify those who put you under most pressure, ie those late delivering documents, and those who need the most correction, and get rid of those.
How does "unappreciative" manifest itself?
I think it would be good to discuss with your family as they will have a clearer perspective, at least in general terms.
All the best

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By DMGbus
03rd Aug 2017 13:38

Looks to me like a case of needing to increase fees and reduce workload.

This may well lead to a loss of some clients thus reducing the workoad and time pressures which is a positive move.

Some say that the fee increase should be applied to every client, others, like myself instead consider a more selective approach, ie. apply to the troublesome / the timewasters / the high maintenance cases + those who think that you can afford to wait months to get paid for work done / fee invoices rendered.

The worst cases of slow / badpayers probably need sacking as clients as they're unsucessful in business and you have to pay the consequences (or they just think that it is OK to pay you late out of choice or paying themselves more to spend personally is a higher priority).

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By rjoconnor81
03rd Aug 2017 13:40

I felt in a similar situation a number of years back, due to two larger, time consuming clients that I thought I couldn't survive without I was not making my other clients happy. It was one big cycle, they constantly wanted my time (and didn't really pay for all of it) which meant it seemed to my other clients I was either busy, out of the office, in meetings or tired. These two clients left within a few months of each other (due to their growth and feeling they had outgrown me), and what a change. No more 3am sweats, the money wasn't missed and with the additional time my other clients went from being constantly annoyed at me to really nice clients. Deadlines weren't missed, I was happier and had time to talk to my clients when they called/popped in. And we close the office at 2.00 on a Friday. Take a look at the client mix and get rid of the high-stress clients (you know the ones that you stare at your mobile when they phone cause you can't really face it!). It will make a massive difference.

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By Jackie in Wiltshire
03rd Aug 2017 13:45

I started up (from scratch) my bookkeeping practice over 3 years ago, having moved on from a job in a tax practice in which I was earning very good money but was very unhappy and almost ill with stress and like you, I am a now a sole practitioner. I don't regret the move at all but there are periods when it is stressful.

I am now at full capacity and over the years have learnt a few tricks to keep long term stress at bay.

a I only work 9-5. I don't work Sundays.
b All clients must make appointments - not just drop in.
c Emails are only accessed once an hour. All are scan read. I colour flag the ones that need attention and deal with them all in one go later in the day.
d Mobile phone is on silent.
e If I do feel under extra pressure, I will set an alarm clock, let the office answering machine kick in, and focus completely on a particular task.
d Clients are given a deadline to get the info to me.
e I know I work better in the mornings so I get the unpleasant/difficult work done then.
f Any filing/shredding etc is collected through the week, and all done on a Saturday.

I find To-Do lists a double edged sword - on the one hand there is the satisfaction of having crossed off a task. On the other hand there is all the other stuff left to do.

I hope you will find some things which you can put in place to help you both at the moment and in the future, and that you get your life back.

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Intercity
By Mr Hankey
03rd Aug 2017 14:35

Sorry to hear you're feeling like this, but do take comfort in the fact you're not alone.

I'm surprised that the stress is occurring when working for yourself though. The most stress I've had is when I was been employed- working early 'til late and at weekends knowing you're only doing it to make the firm's partners wealthy, and not feeling like you can say no for fear of looking weak/ not being able to manage in front of bosses.

Working for yourself you have the control to not take on more work. If you don't want to do something, then don't. I'm far happier now I work for myself, and would take less money in return for more free time any day of the week.

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By mumpin
03rd Aug 2017 14:46

I think you really need to see your GP and tell her:

"I can't describe it but I feel like I am in a constant state of anxiety wondering what the day is going to bring and what is going to go wrong."

If you sack a bunch of clients and have too much time on your hands, and possibly stop earning enough, it could get worse.

Lots of people are treated for stress and anxiety at some point in their lives. This may be something thats wrong with your outlook rather than your practice. If that is the case then it is treatable.

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By NoirTie
03rd Aug 2017 18:11

I would say read The E-Myth by Michael Gerber (or audio) as i did 10 years ago. Changed the whole notion of being a sole trader as i was then - and now I have 17 staff and going on a two week holiday on Sunday. I think he may have written a specific book just for accountants.

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Replying to NoirTie:
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By andy.partridge
03rd Aug 2017 18:28

In the medium term I might agree, but such a change in the short term would require even more effort. The OP doesn't have a general grumble but is at the end of their tether.
Well done you, though. Nice humblebrag too ;)

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By JD
03rd Aug 2017 18:38

Really good to see the supportive and practical advice coming the A.Web collective. You are not on your own, we have I suspect all felt overwhelmed at times.

I will reiterate the comments from Andy Partridge, RL etc.

Clear a morning for yourself and write some PITA love letters to drop the 5% of your clients that give you the most grief.

Put your prices up by 5% to cover the work and advice you do, but don't always charge for.

To regain your focus, try using the ''do one thing'' time management concept - designate yourself a work area for the mornings (when you are most productive) free of any and all disruptions especially emails, social media and clients and set yourself specific jobs to clear, one at a time.

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Jennifer Adams
By Jennifer Adams
05th Aug 2017 06:25

You are so much not alone - if that makes you feel any better. The satisfaction of getting rid of the horrible/ time consuming - for not much profit if any - clients is great.
Read my article on the subject - it might give you the impetus.
'When and how to sack a client'.
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/practice/general-practice/when-and-how-t...
.... then if you are a woman... take the afternoon off and go and have your hair and nails done... followed by a big cream tea followed by... whatever alcoholic drink is your poison. On 2nd thoughts... that advice is also relevant if you are a man.

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By marks
03rd Aug 2017 22:55

I think most sole practitioners have felt like yourself at some point.

You think that by working for yourself you will have the freedom to take off time when you want and do the what you want when you want but you find yourself having to work weekends when you rarely did as an employee and feel like you are on a hamster wheel going faster and faster just to keep up with the basics. When you have your own business you have to do everything (do the actual compliance work, meet the clients, deal with all emails, do the marketing, do the social media promotion, meet prospective clients, do the filing/shredding, etc etc). We all trained as accountants so we can do the accounts/tax but we never trained to be business owners so in many cases we are learning as much as anyone.

When i started I said to my first 30 or so clients it would always just be me and I hoped to taken on say 500 clients. But soon I realised this wouldnt happen and I now have 3 full time members of accounts staff (with another due to start in a few weeks), an admin assistant and part time payroll person. Currently have about 230 clients but now will stop at 300 (will take on new people when reach 300 but will get rid of the PITA clients, less profitable clients, C and D clients) and eventually have just A and B clients. The clients that are profitable, growing, who appreciate what you do, pay on time and are fun to work with.

There are a number of good books to read which will give you different insights and thoughts

1. E Myth by Michael Gerber (mentioned above)
2. 4 hour working week by Tom Ferriss I think
3. The Profitable Accountant by Rudi Jansen
4. 80\20 by Richard Koch I think

Too name few. Sure others will chip in with some other recommendations.

Difficult to say if you are charging too little without knowing what your GRF, your number of clients and the type of work you do for your clients.

From my experience (which is half the time you have worked as a sole practitioner) would recommend the following

1. Systemising your business so that things run on autopilot. You dont say what software/apps you use but there will likely be things that will make your life easier. Ok you need to pay for them but if they save you more than your charged rate they are worth it

2. Oursourcing work - whether that is taking on an employee or outsourcing your work to say India/Phillipines. Lots of accountants do this successfully and profitably but personally I dont like the idea and would rather employ someone here in the UK. You shouldnt be doing any admin work such as filing/shredding etc.

3. Only deal with emails at set times. Now I just deal with emails every other day between 12pm and 1pm and 4pm and 5pm. Also set so the emails only download at these times so you arent tempted to go and look at your inbox every 5 minutes.

4. Work out when you are most productive (for some it is the morning, others the afternoon and others evening) and set aside those jobs that you keep putting off to those times.

5. When working on jobs turn off all distractions. Put mobile on silent, take landline off hook (or if you can outsource to a phone answering company even better). As even with small distractions it can take you 20 - 30 minutes to get back up to speed with what you were doing so a few distractions a day could cost about an hour of your most productive time.

6. At the end of night list the 3 tasks that you are going to complete the next day and take satisfaction in crossing them off when you do (of course they need to be doable in the next day).

7. When you deal with a difficult task/client reward yourself with whatever you enjoy doing. Gives you something to look forward too. Could be anything from a bar of chocolate to listening your favourite song. Whatever does it for you.

8. List all your clients by fee level and break down into batches of 20% ie top 20% of turnover, next 20% of turnover. You will probably be surprised of how many clients make up your bottom 20% of turnover/ 20% number of clients as to turnover they generate. If for instance your bottom 20% of turnover is say 50% of your client numbers (which isnt unusual) then getting rid of these would half your client numbers and you would still have 80% of your income. How would that make you feel.

9. If you dont want to get rid of the bottom 20% of clients by turnover/number then increase their fee to a level that makes them worth keeping or sell them on. Again not unusual to increase your fees for these by say 25% and not lose many. If doesnt work then increase by another 25% next year.

10. Set yourself a target of what you will acheive in the next year and break it down into 3 months chunks. But actually write it down so you have something you can reference. Make sure you revisit it in 3, 6, 9 and 12 months to see if you have have achieved what you said you would and if not what you need to do to get back on track in the next 3 months.

11. If not already get all clients onto monthly DD where they pay their fees in advance of their year end. Use something like GoCardless to do this. Chasing clients for outstanding fees can take up so much time. We started out with this policy so technically have negative debtors. Never had any client that signed up refuse to DD monthly in advance. If you sell it right they will buy into it ie spreads your fee over the year so is more manageable and also lets them budget for your fee. This is also on the basis that your fees are fixed in advance which more and more accountants are doing these days. Again we have never billed on time but by fixed/value fees.

At the end of the day you need to think what do you want out of life.

You probably went and worked for yourself as most of us have to have more time with your family and give them more than you could as an employee.

If your health is suffering then that is nothing to be ashamed off. Go and speak to your doctor who will have come across it many times before just like a tax/accounts issue a client has that you know is nothing to worry about but may be worrying to your client. Without your health you wont be any good to either your family or your clients.

Hope the above thoughts/experiences of myself helps.

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By stressedaccountant
04th Aug 2017 09:07

Wow what an amazing lot you are. Thanks so much for your responses, I am going to take my time over the weekend to have a proper look and respond to you all (and hopefully put a plan of action in place). Just seeing you all respond and having skim read - I feel better already.

Thank you it means the world to me x

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Replying to stressedaccountant:
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By kaff
04th Aug 2017 20:48

Very best wishes. I was in a not dissimilar position a couple of years ago. My doctor was sympathetic but not terribly helpful, as they'd no solution other than dishing out anti depressants which didn't help me resolve the underlying work issues. I got much more help from a private therapist who through several sessions helped me rationalise the issues. Key point for me was letting go of the feeling that I mustn't let other people down. It sounds as though you could do with some similar thinking.

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Replying to stressedaccountant:
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By D V Fields
05th Aug 2017 21:48

Quote:

Wow what an amazing lot you are. Thanks so much for your responses, I am going to take my time over the weekend to have a proper look and respond to you all (and hopefully put a plan of action in place). Just seeing you all respond and having skim read - I feel better already.

Thank you it means the world to me x


Thank you also for your question. It is posts like yours and the great responses that make this site invaluable. There are some great tips there too.
Dave
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By BernieBrandon
07th Aug 2017 19:30

I can so empathise with you over this. I was a sole practitioner lawyer for many years. My suggestion is to contact some fellow sole practitioners - say 6 of them include ladies and fellow - and point out that you are all very much at the grindstone / sharp end you all share valuable experience and skills which are much broader and deeper than the juniors in all the mega and global firms so hey why not form an LLP and share overheads and expenses and so be able to work 4 day weeks and holidays when you all want and all enjoy a better lifestyle ?? Investigate small modern offices you only need a few rooms a conference room and a good receptionist telephonist none of you will need to be in your Office 24 /7 that is the mindset of the sole practitioner BUT and its a big one you must carry out some searching and in depth due diligence first ; think of it as marrying a dozen new wives all at once !! I think a majority of clients will tell you they prefer a smaller firm as you will still of course be... and hey you will be the main man so you will also be the original Designated Member ; having said that make sure the others all commit to the same status otherwise they are almost certainly being reluctant for a reason !! You have ready made focus for your ad "Sole Practitioners? " Let me know how you are going on ???

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By andy.partridge
07th Aug 2017 21:21

I think to find half a dozen like minded folk in the same local area is quite a challenge. To find that they are all credible and with the same values would be unlikely.

That said, I quite like the idea of several sole practitioners building a multi office brand in the same general geographic area with common and streamlined systems and procedures. Something to think about.

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Quack
By Constantly Confused
08th Aug 2017 10:24

If it helps I'm employed and feel like that... I'd love to be a sole trader so I can pick my workload and not bust a gut for someone elses benefit.

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By Cheshire
08th Aug 2017 11:38

Arriving late to this one and cannot add much more than the guys and gals have already said other than to add another voice to say you are so not alone!

Hope you had some time to reflect on all the good stuff over the weekend. Time out is vital. Its great to see such support on here.

Ive been there, but in the last 6 months or so Ive taken real steps to cut the dead wood out. ie anyone who doesnt appreciate me (believe me there are still many who do appreciate what we do!), those who consistently pay late, those who are so very disorganised,whilst that can pay well, just gets on my [***]! Dump dump dump!

Ive finally freed up time to do some further study, which Im loving. So I do hope you get the strength and resolve to get rid of the ones who annoy you and get some of your life back.

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By indomitable
11th Aug 2017 11:12

Sorry to hear that but do not despair!

I agree with many of the comments below. One thing you need to do is have another interest or outlet that takes you away from your perceived stress at work.

This gives you a chance to put things in prespective and maybe forget about your clients. Nobody can work 7 days a week and not get fed up or stressed.

The world is not going to end if you just switch off your phone and computer one day a week and forget about your clients.

You need to find out why your clients are unappreciative. You need to have frank discussions with them. Do they have unrealistic expectations or are you promisng too much and too eager to please? Client expectation is always something that needs to be managed. If you feel their expectations are unrealistic you need to let them go. I have done this in my practice. Invariably some of them stay and their expectations have become more realistic. For the others you do not want those sorts of clients anyway.

I hope it works out for you

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By sallyrichardson
11th Aug 2017 11:17

Hello.

I have been where you are and I think I'm now in control of my job rather than the other way round.

Imagine telling your worst client that you can't work with them any more. Imagine them picking up their paperwork and walking out of your door never to return. No more excuses for late paperwork, late payments, constant emails arguing with you about tax law ("my mate down the pub claims for Sky TV as a business expense so why can't I?" etc). The weight that lifts off of your shoulders is incredible!

I always felt I was a failure if I couldn't turn these clients around into great business people. I have learnt that if they come in the door undisciplined and a year later they haven't improved - they are never going to. This is not your fault for not helping them enough - it's their fault and just the way they are. Walk away.

The other best decision I made - I got a big white board and set up a kanban system. Split the board into 3 sections - To Do, Doing and Done. Then just add post-it notes for each piece of work you have to do. The idea is to move the notes from one side to another, but focus on only 1-2 tasks at once so you get more done. For the cost of the board and a few post-its this has transformed our workflow (you don't need to buy expensive software). More importantly all of the deadlines and work is moved out of your head onto the wall. It relieves all of the pressure I used to feel about having to remember everything. Moving the notes to Done is also very rewarding!

Hope this helps and I hope everything improves for you :-)

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By petermatheson
11th Aug 2017 11:46

Sorry to hear what is going on with you.. I guess all of the responses have covered a multitude of ideas, advice & help.. And as a sole practitioner myself I do sympathise, I've had situations in the past that have caused sleepless nights.

Focus on the clients will give a thank you, harness that energy. Whilst some clients will moan about fees, there are others who just can't say "thank you", it's not you, but them. Stay strong and draw on the positive energy from the clients who do say "I appreciate your help". Keep those as your key clients and get more of them. Drop the ones who give stress..

It is essential to be able to share the woes with other professional colleagues. Not knowing your situation, have you ever thought about joining your practice with someone else in the same field? A working banter and collective force really does help to be able to work productively and to alleviate concerns.

I find that going to CPD events and sharing thoughts with other similar professionals helps as not just knowledge, but to share working practices. So hopefully you get to events for whichever institute/association you are a member of, and chat to one or two other attendees..

Finally, get away from your desk for lunch everyday, or if you can then go for a walk/run/swim!! (and banish Sunday working, even Saturdays)

Feel free to contact me if desired, you've overcome the first hurdle by posting your situation, its now time to act on the nice responses that have been sent. www.accounts4all.co.uk

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By NewmanD
11th Aug 2017 11:54

Need to cut your ungrateful clients loose, they are not worth it. Change your attitude towards work and life, do something for you stop worrying what people will think or say, go to the gym/ run. If your stressing over the type of work you are doing then find someone to mentor with or change job. Do talk to family and friends do set some goals to be more happy. Its your life so own it.

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By Peter Bromiley
11th Aug 2017 12:30

You need someone to talk to. My best ideas have come in conversations when I've said stuff I didn't even know I was thinking. If you are on your own just trying to work it out in your head, you aren't going to find the answers - in my experience.
You need help - a side-kick, a friend, a coach - who'll ask you simple questions that you can answer out loud. You'll be amazed how obvious the solutions are.

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By tonyaustin
11th Aug 2017 14:55

It is interesting that 75% of your clients are unappreciative as it is probably the other 25% who are generating over 75% of your fees. Check the figures! Getting rid of unappreciative clients who occupy a disproportionate amount of time and effort for the fees they generate will go a long way to help. Then go have a word with Mark Lee, he specialises in this area.

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By tiaccountancy
14th Aug 2017 15:09

Sorry to hear about how you feel about your business. Please dont ever think you're a failure because you're not!!

I have read the good advice you have been given below and want to give you a book to read "Pumpkin Plan" by Mike Michalowitz - it will really help you trim down your unappreciative clients and hopefully help you enjoy your work again.

Let me know what you think of the book :)

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By JSinden
15th Aug 2017 12:19

I'm sorry to hear what you are going through ... I know this not what you want to hear ... but my sole practice has never given me a sleepless night ... the key for me is to say "no" to prospective new clients, only work with clients you want to work with & with the right fee levels. Getting rid of existing clients is so easy & satisfying once you've plucked up the courage! Then, most importantly, take on staff that can do the basic stuff, leaving you to run the practice and go down the golf club! Remember, there is more to life than accountancy!

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Sarah Douglas - HouseTree Business Ltd
By sarah douglas
17th Aug 2017 18:02

Hi

I hope you are feeling better after all the really good advice above.

I am late to this discussion as I have been on holiday. I agree with all advice Alan's Partridge gave. As some of the members may know I have had a spinal fusion and a couple of significant hearing operations over the years, so I had my fair share of being stressed.

I would like to add something regarding the loneliness and stress. We have discussed this in a great deal at some of our ICB meetings. I would like to suggest that people join their professional body networking events or a local event where they meet other accountants or bookkeepers.

I am a member of the ICB and as well as the ICB Glasgow branch leader. We all meet up all over the country. Many of us have become good friends for this very reason. We have built up knowledge share groups for example 3 of you in a skype group where you can share worries, stresses of clients during the day, get IT knowledge and be exceptionally open or you can have two of you ring each other for example, we can use the branch Facebook network. I must admit I am not a facebook fan, so I do not use the Facebook, but many do.

It is not like a forum because it is having that total trust with a colleague. I take part in a quite a few, as like everyone else I have bad days even though I have employees. I have terrific colleagues in Glasgow, Brighton and London, Newcastle where I have asked for help.

Nearly four years ago someone from Brighton contacted me because they liked my comments on Accounting Web and wanted to know if could keep in touch. We have skyped each other ever since and have attended events in London together. All I will say is I feel a hell of lot happier since I opened up and found there was so much support from others.

I always thought that the others were my competitors they have now turned out to be good friends, mentors and brilliant support network.

My point is if you can find someone you like even online or at a meeting make that friend because I guarantee you in our line of work so many feel the same way as many have already said.

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By Jack1210
22nd Aug 2017 13:32

I completely understand your stress levels and anxiety. I started around 18 months ago and the biggest advice I had was when you are concentrating on your practice take the time to sometimes look up at the horizon and what tools you have to aid you.

Try consider alternatives rather than employment and getting rid of clients that will in the end only effect you income.

I am happy to share what I did to overcome the same issues you are facing.

I outsource to Diamond Accounts, contact detail is mentioned below:

[email protected]
Sam. Patel

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