Bookkeeping services

martinah

Hey there,
I did some bookkeeping work & weekly payroll for a small company which started in February 2010. Like all business, money is tight so I did not receive weekly payment for the job.
We had an agreed rate which she is now going back on and refusing to pay saying she has no money.
Just to give an idea of what work I did, TAS books 3 all aspects until 31 October 2010 and weekly payroll.
What is the average rate for bookkeeping these days? This was my first freelance job and it has gone massively wrong.
I am a qualified accountant that started this when my hours got cut 18 months ago. The initial hourly rate agreed was €20-is this excessive?
Any advise gratefully received.

martinah

She came back to me with €2,000 for a yearly bookkeeping of TAS books and weekly wages. Anybody out there think that this is reaonable. I have come back with a counter offer of €3,900 - there are alot of transactions on the bank alone. REALLY appreciate any opinions on the above.........
Thanks in advance.

hinault

martinah wrote: »

She came back to me with €2,000 for a yearly bookkeeping of TAS books and weekly wages. Anybody out there think that this is reaonable. I have come back with a counter offer of €3,900 - there are alot of transactions on the bank alone. REALLY appreciate any opinions on the above.........
Thanks in advance.

195 hours per year (€3,900 pa / €20ph)?

I'd be pushing for a rate closer to €30 per hour, if there are a lot of transactions to process and to reconcile at monthend

tenchi-fan

Tell her it's not up for negotiation, and send her an invoice by registered post outlining the work done, number of hours, and invoice total and stating that if full amount has not been received within 30 days interest will be added. €20 an hour isn't excessive by any means & it's the rate you agreed. You are a creditor of the company and it sounds like this b**** is pulling a fast one by making you agree to a ridiculous & unwarranted discount.

Not being funny, but you were very naive to work for 9 months without receiving payment. As the bookkeeper did you not notice something suspicious with the aged analysis of creditors, or the precarious bank balance? If she could not provide payment upfront you should have insisted on a personal guarantee & she would have changed her tune.

Anyway, after sending the invoice phone her regularly and send her statements following up the amount. Consider getting a solicitor to write a letter. I wouldn't take the €2000 , it's an insult.

J.Ryan

Do you have a letter of engagement showing the agreed fee or agreement to terms?

Do you have a practicing cert., if not and you go down the legal route, she could say you were doing more than book-keeping and report you, people can get nasty.

Also having prepared all the records is she telling the truth about the financial position of the company?

It might be a case of a taking of the money and a parting of the ways is the best solution for you, I know its not a nice proposition and if you do the work you deserve to be paid, but take some lessons from this.

1) For longer term assisgnments, get regular payments on account
2) Keep a timesheet and show it to the client regularly, let them see how the fee is going.


Best of luck with this, whatever you decide.

martinah

Thanks for replies, you both have confirmed to me that €20 is not excessive. I should have know better, all she done is complain she has no money so it is a lesson learned. I think I will take the €2K and run like the wind. €2K is better than nothing. Much appreciated.

tenchi-fan

martinah wrote: »

Thanks for replies, you both have confirmed to me that €20 is not excessive. I should have know better, all she done is complain she has no money so it is a lesson learned. I think I will take the €2K and run like the wind. €2K is better than nothing. Much appreciated.

How many hours did you work, and what hourly rate does it work out as?
At least look for minimum wage!