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client defense


You know when you're in high school, and the teacher singles you out or goes after you, but you can't say anything, or you'd get suspended or go to detention. That's how I feel when dealing with certain clients these days. How do i explain to them that calendar years can be different than fiscal years, when they're certain there's no difference? It's almost like any request my team asks them gets attacked. "Well we gave you everything you requested prior to the audit, so why do you need more?" Well, that isn't exactly how an audit works. And how about some of their excel schedules? Oh god, i mean..don't just give me an excel schedule and say that my answer's in there. If it takes more than 20 mins sifting through different unnamed tabs in the schedule to find the reconciliation i'm looking for, please take them back and make them look presentable. And don't go into fight club mode everytime we question your accounting. That just makes more pissed off and make it unlikelier for us to back off. The nicer a client, the more likely it us for us to work together and get your numbers to be more presentable. If you make a valid argument to question why we need a certain document, or if you listen to what we have to say and take the time to understand our reasoning, it'll make both our lives much easier. I hate client contacts who play more aggressive defense than the baltimore ravens before even listening to you. Look, i know you hate us, and it's cool, we understand. But if you want us to go away faster, help us out more. I mean, in our line of work, defense isn't the best offense.
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Anonymous said…
hullo, recently some friends sent me this article on some survey done on accounting firms clients in UK : http://www.accountancyage.com/accountancyage/features/2258452/audit-services-top-bottom

what do u think abt it?
February 28, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Anonymous said…
just stand up, open the cupboard and get the documents for me how difficult can that be? I dont understand the clients, eventually i still have to get the documents. so why must you make me pester you everyday?!?!?!??!
March 2, 2010 at 5:13 AM
Anonymous said…
yea i hate excel spreadsheets with no titles nothing to even give me a hint of what the numbers mean.. clients shld understand that such work (which can only be understood by themselves) will only raise more questions so they shld be prepared haha!
March 2, 2010 at 5:16 AM
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