Arvid Mostad, President
Mostad & Christensen, Inc.
Were fees an issue with some clients this past tax season? Here’s a suggestion you might consider.
Most clients who ask for a fee and time estimate on an engagement simply want some idea of the size of their project.
Because your client will always remember the lowest figure given, you are better off not giving a [...]
One of the best assets a local accounting firm can have is satisfied clients that will refer more good clients.
You can improve your client relations and goodwill by assisting clients in keeping their accounting fees as low as possible. Consider telling your clients these five ways to help reduce their accounting fees:
Contact us for assistance [...]
During the summer, clients are more likely to be vacationing than calling you for an appointment. But that doesn’t mean you should let summer slip by unprofitably. Why not sow some seeds that will grow profits for you later this year? Here are three suggestions that have worked for other accountants. They could work for [...]
To most accountants, confidentiality means not talking about clients. Since this is a given, I’d like to talk about confidentiality in a broader sense.
The people in your business community, clients and non-clients alike, are convinced that you know everything about everybody in town that has anything to do with money or business. Because of this, [...]
During the opening interview, you should help the client articulate his needs and what he hopes to gain from using your services. Never assume anything. Talk to the client; draw him out. One question will lead to several more questions and additional valuable information.
This is a good time to discuss all of the services you [...]
The main complaint against accountants is the "lack of personal attention." This problem is amplified when someone strange from your office calls a client. This is absolutely the number one client-loser!
To avoid misunderstandings, tell clients at the beginning that other people at the firm will be working on their file and that they should [...]
It’s important to maintain contact with your clients throughout the year, even if they are only tax season clients. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is with a quarterly or monthly newsletter. A quarterly newsletter may have more impact on client response than a monthly newsletter. A monthly newsletter may [...]
Would you like to establish a long-term, profitable relationship with each new client? Here’s the first step toward achieving just that.
Personally extend a welcome to each new client. If a client is significant enough for you to work for, then he is significant enough for you to make him or her feel good about engaging [...]
The importance of good client-accountant communication cannot be overemphasized. How else will you really know what your clients expect of you? Keep your clients informed about business, tax, and financial matters, as well as how your firm operates. Client education is a must. It affects the client’s expectation of what you can do for him [...]
Your image helps establish the acceptable fee level your clients will pay. Most of your clients have an impression of your firm as compared to other firms in your community. They may think of you as the most knowledgeable about their concerns. They may see you as the most service-oriented of the local firms. However [...]