I never take out of hours appointments. I just don't need the aggro. If the client values the accountant enough, he will make time to come along in office hours.
As regards cancellations, everyone gets one chance, and no more. One no-show is (just about) OK, but a second one and they need not bother to contact me again as I would refuse to see them.
What about the AML compliance costs; preparing engagement letters; agent registration with HMRC; obtaining transfer info from the old accountant (which will be difficult)?
New clients blaming someone else are, more often than not, complicit in the alleged failures, and will blame you when they mess up again, so I factor in the initial take-on costs when pricing, which I might not do if I perceived a better, longer-term relationship.
On your fee suggestions, b, obviously:
a. There would be no chance of not getting paid, as the new client would pay up front or go elsewhere. Any other arrangement in this scenario would be madness.
b. If it is worth that to the client, then charge that, and get paid first.
c. As noted above, you missed out an awful lot of your time in your calculation.
Agreed. I couldn't believe that the article was suggesting that there was any other way.
When I joined my practice 20 years ago, the elderly (now ex-/deceased) partner used to send out draft accounts and tax returns and not bill until they were agreed, usually many months later. That was bad enough, but doing the work, agreeing and filing everything, and then billing even later is madness.
I agree. A disgusting approach by ACCA. Sounds like one PITA client may have had a small issue, that was not unresolvable by his new accountant. No money lost, unlike the massive audit failures presided over by some firms (yes, probably ICAEW not ACCA), who seem to carry on with impunity.
Re comments of Elaine Clark and others in the post:
1. It isn't a "fine", it is a reduction of bonus.
2. The issue of the write-offs is a separate one and indicates that the charge-out rates are tool high if write-offs are a regular feature. We set a sensible rate for everyone and aim to get 100%. Last year we managed 106%, this year is running at 99%.
3. Getting time posted ASAP increases accuracy rather than diluting it, as nobody can remember what job they were doing and how long they spent on it even the following day.
My answers
I never take out of hours appointments. I just don't need the aggro. If the client values the accountant enough, he will make time to come along in office hours.
As regards cancellations, everyone gets one chance, and no more. One no-show is (just about) OK, but a second one and they need not bother to contact me again as I would refuse to see them.
Just because audit is not as profitable as consultancy, it doesn't mean it is unprofitable!
What about the AML compliance costs; preparing engagement letters; agent registration with HMRC; obtaining transfer info from the old accountant (which will be difficult)?
New clients blaming someone else are, more often than not, complicit in the alleged failures, and will blame you when they mess up again, so I factor in the initial take-on costs when pricing, which I might not do if I perceived a better, longer-term relationship.
On your fee suggestions, b, obviously:
a. There would be no chance of not getting paid, as the new client would pay up front or go elsewhere. Any other arrangement in this scenario would be madness.
b. If it is worth that to the client, then charge that, and get paid first.
c. As noted above, you missed out an awful lot of your time in your calculation.
GDPR and client confidentiality would also prevent us from rebutting some of the spurious claims.
What is the point of a two person tribunal where one has the casting vote?
Agreed. I couldn't believe that the article was suggesting that there was any other way.
When I joined my practice 20 years ago, the elderly (now ex-/deceased) partner used to send out draft accounts and tax returns and not bill until they were agreed, usually many months later. That was bad enough, but doing the work, agreeing and filing everything, and then billing even later is madness.
Yes.
I agree. A disgusting approach by ACCA. Sounds like one PITA client may have had a small issue, that was not unresolvable by his new accountant. No money lost, unlike the massive audit failures presided over by some firms (yes, probably ICAEW not ACCA), who seem to carry on with impunity.
Re comments of Elaine Clark and others in the post:
1. It isn't a "fine", it is a reduction of bonus.
2. The issue of the write-offs is a separate one and indicates that the charge-out rates are tool high if write-offs are a regular feature. We set a sensible rate for everyone and aim to get 100%. Last year we managed 106%, this year is running at 99%.
3. Getting time posted ASAP increases accuracy rather than diluting it, as nobody can remember what job they were doing and how long they spent on it even the following day.
But the government didn't promise that, did they? The referendum was advisory only and non-binding.