10 commandments of client service for accountants

Next week will be the 200th edition of the email version of the Magic of Success. Would you miss it if you didn't see it every week?

Below you'll find more practical ideas and insights to help you achieve more success, plus:?10 commandments of client service for accountants.

And this week's fun item is?10 things you will never hear a decent accountant say. Do let me know if you think I've got any of these wrong!

3 practical tips I shared recently in 1-2-1 sessions

My mentoring clients appreciated these tips in the context of their issues, challenges and problems. I hope you will find them helpful too.

1. Advisory skills:?You did well to be pro-active when advising your clients on the various grants and reliefs they could access last year. Now you need to develop, enhance and refine your advisory skills to ensure you are well placed to get paid what you're worth when giving your clients business advice in the coming months and years.
2. Back up:?One of the things you learned from the speed of the first lockdown was the need to be clear what back up you and your clients needed to stay in business. You did well. But now you seem to need further back up and support. Let's keep track of your options so you don't need to decide in a panic ever again.
3. Two sides:?Just as there are always two sides to an argument, so there are two ways to look at everything, no mater how thin the slices. Can you help your clients to see that - and can you do it as regards your own practice too?

More on mentoring >>>

1-2-1 strategic and practical advice for you and your practice

It all starts with an informal chat on the phone or on zoom. I'll ask you to tell me about the biggest issue you face. And anything else on your mind. Go on Mark - book a call now. It costs nothing and could prove to be very worthwhile.

Book a call now >>>

Tax Advice Network

Lead generation for tax advisers and tax accountants

Given increasing interest in this lead generation Network, the monthly subs are increasing by 40% shortly. And we still have no long term commitment so members can drop out any time - but that rarely happens in practice. More info for tax advisers here >>> ??

Tax support when you need it - No subs. No need to register.

Anyone can use the website to source tax specialists - without paying us anything.

Tax Advice Network - FindATaxAdviser.online

10 commandments of client service for accountants

Ok, maybe not real ‘commandments’, so I wonder if you agree. And if there are any where you know you could do better. If so, then maybe focus on what you could do to improve your client service in this regard over the next few days, weeks and months.

1. Ask good questions:?You need to identify and anticipate your client’s needs. Some clients may just tell you everything they think you want to know. But some need to be encouraged and many clients won’t know what’s important and relevant until you ask them to take about specific issues.

You are the expert so you should know what additional information you need to give valuable advice. Do you get to the nub of the issue to find your client’s underlying issues, concerns and worries?

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In this week's blog post you'll find the nine other 'commandments' of client service for accountants. Number 7 is one that is probably the most overlooked and ignored. Do let me know which resonated the most with you or if you think I missed any out.

Read more >>>

Fun time - 10 things you will never hear a decent accountant say

1. Yes, my fees could be lower if you pay me in cash
2. Yes, I'll find a way to justify all those supermarket receipts in your accounts
3. Sure you can pay me less because you ignored my advice on how to make more profits
4. HMRC have no problem with retrospective tax planing
5. Your tax return only took me 5 minutes to do
6. I love working from carrier bags full of clients' paperwork
7. I have decided not to charge you anything for me work this year
8. The taxman will give up once he knows I'm representing you
9. Don't worry about getting receipts
10. Yes, we can rewrite the past and pretend you did things that you didn't really do

You'll find plenty more to make you laugh on the?Accounting Fun blog here >>>

If you know of any fun accountant or tax related anecdotes, please let me know.

Feedback welcome

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Let's have a chat...

Let's have a chat if any of the above topics resonated with you. I love supporting and encouraging accountants who want to secure more referrals, reach and results.

You can take your chances here now: 07769 692890

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Mark Lee FCA??provides strategic advice, talks and mentoring to accountants and tax advisers who want to improve their reach, referrals and results. He is also Chairman of the?Tax Advice Network , the UK’s largest network of independent tax advisers.

Mark has long been a popular speaker for UK accountants both on stage and online. Informed, entertaining and commercial he also debunks hype and misconceptions. Earlier in his career he was a partner in two top firms. He has a number of voluntary roles including being Treasurer of The Magic Circle.

BookMarkLee.co.uk