0936211399 HOTLINE It also shows your potential client that you care about them and won’t see them as a series of numbers. Apart from building rapport, this question can help you learn more about the company. For example, issues like business operations, its vision and mission, and employee management could come up in such discussions, giving you a better glimpse of what you will be dealing with. Accountants and bookkeepers enjoy nothing better than solving problems. It could be finding the 10-cent variance that keeps their books from balancing or scouring through financial records to save the company a few dollars.
Let the client also understand your perspective on a successful project and give them time to share their view. Then come to a common agreement on goals to make the project successful. No matter where you keep it, just make sure that your new client onboarding checklist is somewhere that’s convenient for you to access. This location will mostly depend if you’re handling your workflow manually or if you are using workflow software. So, how do you make sure you have an efficient onboarding process in place?
See how Corvee allows your firm to break free of the tax prep cycle and begin making the profits you deserve. This document not only enforces trust but also keeps you and your client on the same page. This will acquaint you with both dos and don’ts of your targeting plan. That is, every prospective lead you meet on a discovery call is not the same.
You can also maintain your records on cloud-based spreadsheets and documents, which other employees can easily access. Another way to keep a live documentation record and update your checklist is with platforms like Dropbox, which allows you to share files easily. If their response is related to crunching numbers and doing taxes, then you have work to do explaining the pivotal role you can play in the growth and success of their business. According to an Accountemps survey, two of the most common misconceptions about accountants is that they only do taxes and only focus on crunching numbers. That means the company must be on top of every aspect of their credit cards, from repayments to reconciliation.
Steps to Onboarding Clients for an Accounting Firm
Monthly bank reconciliations are recommended to catch discrepancies and ensure accurate financial records. Use our product selector to find the best accounting software for you. It’s important to provide the client with weekly check-ins and consistent updates so they can feel confident in your processes and keep everything on schedule. At the end of the conversation, when everything is contractually agreed, schedule a client meeting to let them know you are serious about the relationship. During the initial conversation between the accountant and client, you also need to lay out the terms of your relationship.
- You need to ask your client to allow you access to the firm’s inventory records.
- It helps you and the client determine first steps and what information is needed for the engagement.
- During this stage, it’s a great idea to go over the
dos and don’ts of bookkeeping with your client if they need to become more familiar with the process or could use a refresher. - If you don’t have one or didn’t already add your client to your CRM system, this is an excellent time to send a welcome email.
- This previous experience will make the team look competent and confident, reflecting positively on your business.
This will be used for invoicing, so it’s important to get it right. However, if your employees juggle multiple clients, your lists can get mixed up. Another drawback of this method of maintaining your checklist is that you cannot insert hyperlinks or connect them to other documents. You can keep separate files for each client, which can help when cross-checking the documents you receive with the ones you don’t have yet. Handling inventory accounts is a complex process that includes supplier payments, wastage, handling expenses, accrued revenues, and order fulfillment ledgers.
What if the client doesn’t have previous financial statements?
This will save having to go to them each time you need to access a tool on their behalf or need new information. Getting
new clients is always a moment to celebrate, but for many practices, the effort stops once the sale is made. Sadly, it’s too common for the onboarding process to be a last-minute thought. Asking about your client’s expectations and requirements is critical.
FAQ for Bookkeeping Client Onboarding Checklist
Doing this ensures everyone’s on the same page and allows others to add anything missing to the plan. ➡️ See the bonus section of
our onboarding guide for a list of what questions you should ask during this part of the onboarding process. You’ll need various logins and tool access to work on your client’s books, send out questionnaires to gain access or get login information.
How to create an effective client onboarding process for new practice clients
Here are a few questions that can help you understand the scope and limitations of the prospective client. Understanding the requirements your clients want you to fulfill is tricky. Chances are you will fall prey to miscommunication and misinterpretation. After you have successfully onboarded a client, had the initial discovery call, it is critical that you keep up the momentum for the final conversion. If you keep your prospective clients waiting for too long, chances are they will never return. Setting the right expectations about the deliverables for your client can be the stepping stone for a sustainable firm-client relationship.
Things to Include on Your New Client Onboarding Checklist
But if you are taking too long to start a new service with a client, chances are they would move to the next vendor. After completing the 4-hour FreshBooks Collaborative Accounting certification, you’ll get access to all the resources mentioned here the death of lifo to share with your team and your clients. You might have a separate folder or workspace where client-ready files live. You could also trigger a notification whenever you move a new file to your client’s folder, with an automation like one of these.
It is a process designed to personalize your services and create a smooth workflow that can give the best customer experience for your new clients. This process often starts with a face-to-face or online meeting to identify your customer needs, preferred working style, and set mutual expectations. A Bookkeeping Client Onboarding Checklist is a vital tool for bookkeepers and their clients, facilitating a smooth transition into a productive financial partnership. By following this checklist, you can ensure that all necessary information is gathered, processes are established, and expectations are aligned.
