Accounting & Bookkeeping & Small Business Forum

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 8:10 am Post subject: Gathering the information

It has been my experience over the years that half the work of bookkeeping or tax preparation is getting the information from the client. Any tips on how to make this as painless as possible?

For your bookkeeping clients, do you primarily go to the clients' businesses or homes to collect the information, do they ship it or email it? If you go to the clients' businesses do you work there or take the information back to your home/office?

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2003 9:51 am Post subject: RE: Gathering the information

I usually get the information from the client myself. I go to their place of business. I bring it back to my office and begin sorting through the information. I organize it as best as I can, and I make a list of questions as I sort through each item. I then call the client with my list of questions in hand. The hardest part is getting in contact with the client at a time that's convenient for them to answer those questions. I have encouraged repeat clients to make their own "journal entry description" on each item so that it will be easier the next time around. Just jot down a description of what took place, nothing fancy. The hardest part for any client is to remember what happened and why 6, 9,12 months ago. So if they can remember to jot down a little description, most owners are astute enough to remember what happened when they see their description.