Behind-on-the-books businesses brought in
A contractor with three years of receipts in a box finally calls. She learns how far behind he is and what he runs, and books him with the bookkeeping lead before he loses his nerve.
A business owner calls because the books, HST filings or payroll have fallen behind.
Learns the business, the years behind and what's registered, books an intake meeting, sends a list.
A new-client intake with the scope sized, so the first meeting starts with a plan.
How it works
- Puts them at ease
People who are behind are often embarrassed. She tells them it's common and that the team does this every week.
- Learns the business
Sole proprietor or corporation, what they do, rough yearly sales, employees or subcontractors.
- Sizes the catch-up
Which years are unfiled, whether they're registered for GST/HST, whether payroll remittances are current, and any letters from the CRA.
- Routes it right
Bookkeeping, personal tax, corporate or payroll, to the person your firm assigns, and a partner for anything with letters attached.
- Books the intake
A first meeting in the office or by video, with the fee your firm charges for it, if any.
- Sends the list
Bank and credit card statements for each year, sales records, receipts, any CRA letters, and the portal link to upload them.
Example call
- CustomerHi. I do drywall, I'm on my own, and I haven't done my books in about three years. I've got a box of receipts.
- AI agentYou're not the first, and it's very fixable. Thanks for calling Whitfield and Roy in Kingston. Are you registered for HST?
- CustomerYeah. I haven't filed those either.
- AI agentOkay. Have you had any letters from the CRA about it?
- CustomerOne, a couple months ago.
- AI agentThanks. I'll book you with Joanne, who leads our catch-up work, and flag the letter for her. I have Tuesday at 9 or Thursday at 2.
- CustomerTuesday at 9.
- AI agentBooked. I'll text a list: bank and card statements for 2023 to now, the receipts, and that letter. Bring the box, too.
After the call: Joanne's calendar shows Tuesday 9:00 with "sole prop drywall, three years unfiled including HST, one CRA letter", and the client has the document list and portal link.
What your team gets
- New clients sized before the first meeting: years behind, HST, payroll
- CRA letters flagged on the intake
- Meetings booked with the person who does that kind of work
- Document lists and portal links sent after every call
- New-client enquiries by service, month over month
Questions
Will she tell them what they owe?
No. She sizes the job and books the meeting. Numbers come from your team once the books are done.
What if the client is in real trouble with the CRA?
She flags any letters, garnishments or collection calls on the intake and books with a partner first.
Can she quote your fees?
She quotes what's on your list, such as the intake fee or a monthly bookkeeping package, and leaves the rest to the meeting.
Does she take new clients in April?
Only if you want her to. Many firms have her book April enquiries for May and say so warmly.
Hear it on your phone
Request a demo call and the agent phones you, set up for accounting and bookkeeping like yours.