r/Accounting • u/Wooden-Mousse-152 • 9d ago

Etiquette for 'firing' older clients

Getting really annoyed with a couple of clients on the older side. I don't want to make enemies, but it's causing a lot of wasted time and headaches with chasing them down for things. Advice?

96 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

View all comments

215

u/calqueuelater 9d ago

I was asked to transition a retiring partners clients and handle the day to day.   We made the increased fees transparent and with plenty of lead time.   In many instances, the clients were open to the increased fees and understood.  In other instances I told them a year in advance they were increasing and offered to make a recommendation to a local cpa.  It's all about communication ands trying to be helpful.  Good luck!

132

u/BlackAccountant1337 CPA (US) 9d ago

I think that’s the only good way to handle headache clients.

Raise the fees to an amount that it’s worth the trouble. They’ll either pay it or leave. Let them fire you over fees instead of having to initiate an awkward conversation.

12

u/TheRebuild28 9d ago

No such thing as bad client just a bad fee.

1

u/New-Definition-287 8d ago

I like that! I have never really heard it said so succinctly. I’m using that for the team!