Don't Let Clients Push You Around
Source: Solutions for CPA Firm Leaders
The following includes excerpts, reproduced with permission, from an article by Rita Keller.
In my opinion, CPAs let themselves be bullied by their clients. Not all CPAs, but many CPAs.
- Clients make unreasonable demands.
- Clients do not respond to your requests.
- Clients don't pay you on time or at all.
- Clients believe you should go above and beyond for no additional fees.
- Clients are rude to your administrative team members.
- Clients are not ready when you have clearly communicated the engagement start date.
I'm sure you can add more.
These situations often result from lack of communication up front. What you do for your clients is very, very valuable. You have spent years perfecting your skills and investing both time and money in your education. Just because you know the answer immediately, off the top of your head, doesn't mean you should just give it away.
Consider using a joint CPA/client commitment statement as part of your upfront communication with potential clients. It should state what the client can expect from you and your firm and what you, and the firm, expect from the client. Use the document as a discussion tool and verbally talk through it with your new or potential clients.
For the complete article, read “Don't Be Bullied By Your Clients.”
From Solutions for CPA Firm Leaders, the newsletter of Rita Keller, June 2013, www.ritakeller.com.