Negotiating Accounts Fees
Discussion
I'm in the same position. I get quarterly invoices with charges for calls my accountant makes to me, the last invoice was for £500. I don't mind paying for statutory accounts preparation, and it is fair enough to charge if I ring them asking for advice, but invoicing me for calls they decide to make is a bit much. I haven't expressed my displeasure yet as my accountant is on the (very short) list of people I don't want to upset.
We've got a new chap whose pricing is brilliant.
He comes to your office. Evaluates the work you ask him to do. Then he quotes a fixed price for that work. In advance. BRILLIANT! Same system we offer to our own clients.
Oh yes - if you then change the deal by asking for more or different work there will be a negotiation. But that's OK with me.
With our old lot you could get a bill that varied quite dramatically. In fact we became fairly sure they simply looked at our accounts and decided what we could afford...not happy...lost our business.
He comes to your office. Evaluates the work you ask him to do. Then he quotes a fixed price for that work. In advance. BRILLIANT! Same system we offer to our own clients.
Oh yes - if you then change the deal by asking for more or different work there will be a negotiation. But that's OK with me.
With our old lot you could get a bill that varied quite dramatically. In fact we became fairly sure they simply looked at our accounts and decided what we could afford...not happy...lost our business.
Perhaps it's worth ahopping arround until you get what you want. I have formed the opinion that many accountancy firms are just money making machines for the partners, and have very little concern for their clients
I have to say that our accountant is relaltively expensive but I negotiated an acceptable fixed monthly payment which works well for both parties. He gets the cash flow and we don't get any nasty suprises.
I have to say that the concept of "getting what you pay for" also seems to prevail. I have our accountants mobile and home phone numbers and can contact him at any time. He has also been proactive in helping to grow our company to the position of one of the industry leaders, with corporate advice that would otherwise be unknown to us. They also have one of the countries best tax specialists in house too. All in all, I think it's money well spent.
I have to say that our accountant is relaltively expensive but I negotiated an acceptable fixed monthly payment which works well for both parties. He gets the cash flow and we don't get any nasty suprises.
I have to say that the concept of "getting what you pay for" also seems to prevail. I have our accountants mobile and home phone numbers and can contact him at any time. He has also been proactive in helping to grow our company to the position of one of the industry leaders, with corporate advice that would otherwise be unknown to us. They also have one of the countries best tax specialists in house too. All in all, I think it's money well spent.
TDIPLC said:
Perhaps it's worth ahopping arround until you get what you want. I have formed the opinion that many accountancy firms are just money making machines for the partners, and have very little concern for their clients
I have to say that our accountant is relaltively expensive but I negotiated an acceptable fixed monthly payment which works well for both parties. He gets the cash flow and we don't get any nasty suprises.
I have to say that the concept of "getting what you pay for" also seems to prevail. I have our accountants mobile and home phone numbers and can contact him at any time. He has also been proactive in helping to grow our company to the position of one of the industry leaders, with corporate advice that would otherwise be unknown to us. They also have one of the countries best tax specialists in house too. All in all, I think it's money well spent.
I have to say that our accountant is relaltively expensive but I negotiated an acceptable fixed monthly payment which works well for both parties. He gets the cash flow and we don't get any nasty suprises.
I have to say that the concept of "getting what you pay for" also seems to prevail. I have our accountants mobile and home phone numbers and can contact him at any time. He has also been proactive in helping to grow our company to the position of one of the industry leaders, with corporate advice that would otherwise be unknown to us. They also have one of the countries best tax specialists in house too. All in all, I think it's money well spent.
I've worked for a big accountancy firm, and am too of the opinion that they are money making machines, it's a case of get the job in and out as quick as possible (strict time deadlines) and bill the full amount of time spent including any phone calls and typing work. It was an awful environment to be working in. Now I tend to look at a clients records, you then have a good idea of how long it will take and quote that way. I usually stick to this quote for the whole year, unless there is any 'specialist' work involved, in which case it would always be agreed with the client in advance.
I too give my mobile number to some clients, but only if they play golf/football/badminton and are likely to invite me along
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