| There a number of questions you need to ask clients | | | | Your rate needs to be discussed prior to commencing |
| when they approach you to do their bookkeeping | | | | work so both you and the client understand the cost |
| work in your business. To develop long term happy | | | | to attend to the work. If it is possible to estimate the |
| clients, you will need to communicate effectively and | | | | hours, it is a good idea to give an estimate. If for any |
| be sure to you both have fair expectations of the | | | | reason you find yourself getting closer to the upper |
| relationship. | | | | end of the estimated time, it is best to contact the |
| It is important to check when the client requires the | | | | client and discuss this sooner rather than later It is also |
| work completed. This will ensure you meet their due | | | | wise to ensure you know what you will include in that |
| dates if applicable and meet their expectations. If there | | | | rate. Does your hourly rate include photocopying, travel, |
| is not a due date imposed by government legislation, | | | | telephone calls or meetings? You need to know what |
| you and the client can agree on a due date. It is | | | | your rate includes so you can explain it to the client. |
| important to keep to the due date and if any issues | | | | Another important question to ask the client is will they |
| arise where you might not meet their deadline, to | | | | be available to answer your queries about their source |
| contact them and discuss the matter sooner rather | | | | documentation. It is important to factor question time |
| than later. | | | | into your work day so that if you become stuck on a |
| How are you going to undertake the work? This is | | | | transaction you can ask the client for clarification. If you |
| important as you might be at their premises, or on your | | | | do get held up with something, try and find other tasks |
| own premises. You might be using their computer, or | | | | you can continue with in the interim to assist you with |
| you may have supplied your own. This is important as | | | | your time management. |
| the data file they need you to enter the transactions | | | | If you do find yourself in a situation where you should |
| into might have been placed onto your computer, or it | | | | have asked the client these or other questions prior to |
| might be on their own. It is vial to check you can | | | | commencing work for them, dont despair. You will |
| access any data files for the client prior to starting the | | | | learn from each client and gradually you will become |
| job. If you suddenly find you cant get into the clients | | | | more familiar with the questions to ask your clients |
| data it might cause you many days delay and that | | | | prior to starting their work. |
| may mean you cant meet their deadlines. | | | | |