Need help!

Hello everyone,

I was approached by one of my clients who I do some light bookkeeping for, and he asked me if I can do his tax payments and stuff. Of course I told him that I have never done that before, but he insisted that he wanted my help. Can any one advise.

Thanks,

Hi Karla,

My advice, especially regarding taxes, would be if you don't know how to do it then either get the proper training or don't do it. It doesn't matter who insists on you doing it. Highlight, with this client, the benefits of the services you DO offer. If it is not something you are comfortable taking on then perhaps you can find a non-competing person who will take care of that task for him. That way you won't be doing work you're not currently offering AND you'll still be helping your client by connecting him with a resource that can get the job done.

Thank you Stephanie,

I have to say that I don't feel confortable handling that task for my client. Although, I am a tax preparer but don't offer this service to businesses as of yet, only individuals.

Thank you again.

Karla,

I just sent you a PM. It may be of some help.

You're welcome and let us know if you end up adding a new service. :-) This might be a good time to do some market research. Check around to see who offers that service and for how much. That might help you decide if you want to seek out the training and add it to your services.

Thank you Stephanie,

I have to say that I don't feel confortable handling that task for my client. Although, I am a tax preparer but don't offer this service to businesses as of yet, only individuals.

Thank you again.

I agree with you. I am a certified tax preparer but I don't offer this to my clients either. I only offer it to individuals. Why? Once you get into the business aspect, things get more difficult and more confusing. (Even for tax preparers!) That is better left up to an accountant or tax preparer who has experience in corporations or small businesses. If I was asked to do that for a client, I would have to politely turn it down explaining to them that it is not what I feel comfortable doing and I wouldn't be able to do that for them. Think of it as flattering that they asked, though!

One bit of advice I received while researching starting my own business that included bookkeeping is to keep a book of connections to share with your clients. Basically, it would be a book of contact information on businesses that offer services you do not (and of course do not compete with what you do offer) that can be helpful when your client needs those services. It is one more "service" you unofficially offer your client, a reliable resource for additional services and needs coming from someone they trust...YOU! But first, do your due diligence and research each business prior to referring them of course. You can also get leads this way, as I am sure those businesses will have clients looking for your services as well!

Great idea Victoria. Thanks for sharing!

One bit of advice I received while researching starting my own business that included bookkeeping is to keep a book of connections to share with your clients. Basically, it would be a book of contact information on businesses that offer services you do not (and of course do not compete with what you do offer) that can be helpful when your client needs those services. It is one more "service" you unofficially offer your client, a reliable resource for additional services and needs coming from someone they trust...YOU! But first, do your due diligence and research each business prior to referring them of course. You can also get leads this way, as I am sure those businesses will have clients looking for your services as well!

That was well put I never thought of it that way! Thanks for that it helped me in a
MAJOR way!

That's a great idea Victoria! I had not developed this part of my business yet, but it is going on my to do list and will be established before I launch. Thank you for sharing!