How to train your client
If you dread onboarding a new client, try this four-step programme for training them. It could take the pain out of it for both of you.
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Sounds more like indoctrination than training - unless that's "training" as in teaching your dog where to do it's business.
I suspect it's a very effective process but not for the reasons stated ... it's a strong filter to ensure that anyone getting through the 'entry hurdles' is sufficiently compliant to be a 'perfect client'.
In which case fair enough, but be upfront as to the objectives.
Bookkeeping is a different animal to a small accountancy practice
This would not be helpful for small clients
Are you now, or have you ever been in the business of selling religion? This feels to me like you want members to sign up to your sect. Good luck if it works for you but it would give me the creeps.
"It’s intense for the client"
It was intense for me just reading it!
It works for you and thats all that matters to you and yours, I have always taken the view that I like to work with the client and the systems they already have and are comfortable with rather than imposing my own. Obviously we make suggestions for improvement if there is a better way but more often than not the best way is the way that works for them and not necessarily us and we gain more by being adaptable.
But I think the way you have set out your stall will attract a narrow certain kind of client rather than the wide variety we see in a small accountancy practice
If what the client is doing works well enough for me to use it then any changes could lead to error and misunderstanding.
Having said that, there are always suggested tweaks that I make with new clients, and I regularly share my workings.
I wonder if "clients" have a similar training program for Accountants. If not, Jo you could start one and amalgamate the two.
Ah, we don't really give the client a choice of doing their own bookkeeping / bank reconciliations etc.
After finding out about them, whether they are up together with taxes etc we "sell" it as -
You do the sales invoices and matching money in, we do the rest so you can concentrate on the business. Minimal training required.
They either bring the expenses to us each month, or we go and collect, or they upload the photos.
The same process each and every month, all previous months bookkeeping for all clients is completed by the 15th of each month, which leaves the second half of each month for accounts / TRs / VAT / PAYE
Touch Base, chew the fat and hang out. Yer man let's shoot the breeze, sink a couple and get wrecked. Or we could just go down the pub for a pint and chat.
I'm 'onboard' but where are we going?
Down the cut I hope, now the kids are back at school the canals will be quiet, I can do some 'bonding'
(Mainly that loose forar'd hatch cover that needs 'glueing')
"How to train your clients"
I switched off immediately here. I am not sure my clients would appreciate being 'trained'
Didn't read any further
Sit. Fetch. Paw please. Roll over.
This article generalises ''new'' clients with a clinical mindset. A big mistake in my book ; particularly point 4 and the weekly meetings. Get the way forward sorted at the outset.
I suggest the so called ''team'' be educated into treating potential clients as individuals rather than adopt this robotic four steps to heaven approach. You'll probably find these clients , knowledgeable of their respective businesses, a bit more clued in than the ''team'' members.
And if EVERY member of the ''team'' is aware of the new client's needs , hopefully the charge out rates and time costs have been spelt out.
The clue to this article's ridicule is of course the opening.........''IF YOU DREAD ONBOARDING A NEW CLIENT......''
If this is a problem , then surely it's time to call it a day.
"there’s a good reason I have two ears and one mouth"............I'm sure, but it might not be for the reason that is convenient for this article - or that was for your mother when she wanted you to be quiet.
We can all misappropriate simple facts from the world around us to suit our ends. Is it helpful in advancing our knowledge as a species? Can we do that then say we have acted with honesty, integrity and good intent?
Btw - Your practice sounds exhausting to work with. Not sure I could cope with it as well as my own business.
Clients Whatsapp account ?
do you set this up or are you assuming that they all have this.
my practice still does most things via paper & still file paper tax returns, not many but some.
Some great points made here Jo.
Setting a standard really does help. Clients come to bookkeepers for solutions and help. Sometimes they need some guidance to understand what they should do to make your, and their, life easier.
Some harsh comments below - unwarranted.
Not sure that opinions on an 'opinion piece' can ever be fairly described as unwarranted (lacking a good reason; unnecessary: Cambridge Dictionary) - especially those that offer constructive criticism.
But each to their own ...