How to Structure a New Client Template in Accounting Business

New clients are essential to an accounting business. If you rely only on the clients you have, your company will never grow and eventually you will lose the clients you do have. Setting up a form with all of the information you should be looking for will enable you to weed out clients that are not a good fit for your company from the keepers.

Instructions

1. Position the essential information such as client name, address, zip code, phone, e-mail and website at the top of the form. In addition to the date on the top line, be sure to include the file reference number based on your filing system.

2. Ask five essential questions about the potential client and answer the questions honestly directly on the form. The five questions will depend on what is most important to you. It may be their annual income, the size of the business, their credit score or connections to other clients, but ultimately your client form should lead you to decide whether or not they are a good fit for your company.

3. List what type of entity the client is, such as an individual, LLC, Corporation, S Corporation, Partnership and so forth. Determine what type of accounting you will be doing, for instance, monthly, audit, compilation or tax return.

4. Categorize your potential client into successful, somewhat successful or potential to be successful. Determine how much you estimate you will be able to profit from this client.

5. Write down what year end the client has and project out on the calendar what you will be responsible for. Make sure the client does not overburden your capacity.

6. Accumulate all of the information onto one sheet. This is a snapshot of your new client. If everything on the sheet doesn’t point towards a mutually satisfying working relationship, you need to suggest they consider another firm. If they want to stay with you, be sure to get a large retainer and if they suggest you do anything unethical, cut your ties immediately, in writing.

7. Make an outline of all the information with lists where a selection is necessary. Add to the form any information you might need to track, such as the staff person that may have brought in the client and a check list of who needs to see the information.

8. Once you have the master form make copies to use when you have a potential new client. When you decide to accept the client, use the filled in form to update your data storage software. You just made your job easy and organized.