| Often farmers and business owners feel, when it | | | | additional money as long as it falls within your agreed |
| comes to some of their employees, hired hands, | | | | upon budget. And if it doesn't they will need to consult |
| migrant workers, etc. that if they are not watching | | | | with you before undertaking it. |
| them - then their people are not working. We can all | | | | Have a "per-project" fee. Instead of or perhaps in |
| understand that. For many of us it is too easy to | | | | addition to a budget for the usual compliance activities |
| confuse activity with progress and we'd rather see our | | | | - filing your taxes in a timely manner and all the other |
| employees busy, even if it what they're doing is a | | | | things business accountants do routinely, why don't you |
| waste of their time and our money. | | | | negotiate fair fees for special reports or filings. |
| So when it comes to our small business account, is it | | | | For example completing loan documents, P&L |
| any surprise that we feel the same way. We know | | | | statements, meetings with auditors etc. Setting |
| instinctively (whether it's actually true or not) that we | | | | per-project limits keeps everyone on the same page - |
| are over paying for routine items, that while we are | | | | sort of outs a frame around items that are not |
| paying their fees they are pushing our work along to a | | | | commonplace and do not appear in the quarterly |
| less expensive associate - and they are pocketing the | | | | budget. |
| difference. | | | | Use performance based fees. This is an ideal way to |
| Here are a few ways to approach your billing | | | | handle billing for the creation of accounting related |
| relationship with your accountant. Use them as a guide | | | | studies and documents when considering a new |
| to a discussion about how you and your small business | | | | opportunity or a joint venture of some sort. The base |
| accountant can work together more effectively. | | | | fee could perhaps cover the business accountants' |
| Showing up with some potentially practical ideas will let | | | | hard costs only. The more successful the results the |
| him or her know that you've given it some thought and | | | | more they receive. There are no doubt many other, |
| you are not going to simply opt-in to their cookie cutter | | | | more realistic probably, scenarios where you and your |
| "standard" billing process. | | | | small business accountant can work together and they |
| If the small business accountant says, "You're the first | | | | get paid based on the results they achieve. |
| client to propose a fee structure other than our | | | | Naturally these examples are just a shot in the dark, |
| standard by-the-hour billing," or "We have always used | | | | they may not work or may not even be legally |
| an hourly fees for business clients," tell them, "Fine, but | | | | possible for business accountants in your jurisdiction to |
| that's not how we will work with our small business | | | | operate on the basis I've described. Nevertheless they |
| accountants in the future, the question is whether you | | | | can be starting points for discussion, triggers to help |
| want to work with us going forward or not. | | | | you and your small business accountant think of even |
| Always use the expression "or not" - it lets them know | | | | more creative ways to do business together. |
| you are perfectly willing to let them off the hook and | | | | It is not my intention to show you tricks to get free or |
| move on to business accountants who will work with | | | | cheap business accounting services. It is to help you |
| you differently than they normally do. | | | | and your accountant consider alternatives that will |
| Set a budget. Simply put, you put a cap on their fees - | | | | make you feel better about your relationship. A clear |
| what they can charge in a quarter, for routine filings, | | | | understanding of how and on what terms you and |
| for a certain matters, for meetings with fellow | | | | your business accountants are working together will |
| professionals on your behalf, etc.. This budget can be | | | | put you need in a frame of mind that allows you to |
| cast in stone or flexible - there can be different limits | | | | pick up the phone whenever there is an important |
| on different types of transactions, whatever. The | | | | business decision and call your accountant - BEFORE |
| important thing is that you are not forking over a blank | | | | you act, rather than afterwords. |
| check, they know that if they exceed what you | | | | It is my intention to make you feel better, knowing that |
| agreed upon - it's on them, and most importantly that | | | | just because you can't watch them - they probably |
| you are paying attention. | | | | are working on your behalf and anyway, you are being |
| If your accountant uncovers additional work that was | | | | billed based on a fairly negotiated agreement between |
| never considered but which must still be performed, | | | | the two of you. |
| they can do it without having to come to you for | | | | |