Do you meet clients in your home?

[Roberts]

Everyone has an.....opinion.

As for a "private setting" issue --- that requirement could really wreak havoc with many tax firms which do not have the luxury of providing a private office for each preparer!!

FE

Obviously if you haven't installed a "cone of silence" (like Get Smart had) in every office at your firm, you may not be fully protecting your clients.



I'm wondering if those who meet in a home office in front of a dog or cat are aware of the liability they have taken upon themselves. My dog is a real gossiper.

[ATSMAN]

Bingo! The HRB shop I worked the partitions were paper thin and sometimes we would had to tell our neighbor to keep it down!

I just bring a yellow legal pad, a pocket calculator and my business cards. No TTB or laptop on a restaurant table. If the discussion is going to lead in that direction that it is required, then an office appointment will be made at my place or the clients office/business.

[FEDUKE404]

Back to that doctor exam thing

I guess a few of you don't really comprehend the message I was attempting to convey. The mere nature of tax preparation is confidential, and therefore should be conducted in a private setting and not within earshot of others - or have financial records exchanged
The fact that it's common to be done that way - doesn't mean that it's acceptable in this occupation.

Everyone has an.....opinion.

FWIW: I guarantee you I could carry on a comprehensive client interview at a table near to yours and neither you nor anyone else would have any idea as to the type of discussion that was being held.

Now, if I took my laptop, and a pile of reference books (to include TTB) and starting working through a pile of documents, or starting calling some investment firms using a cell phone....that might gather some unneeded attention. But that will not happen to me. An interview, and brief overview of any supporting documents or even a completed tax return, can easily be done across a table. The REAL work occurs in my home office.

As for a "private setting" issue --- that requirement could really wreak havoc with many tax firms which do not have the luxury of providing a private office for each preparer!!

FE

[Uncle Sam]

Meeting With Clients

I guess a few of you don't really comprehend the message I was attempting to convey.
The mere nature of tax preparation is confidential, and therefore should be conducted
in a private setting and not within earshot of others - or have financial records exchanged

The fact that it's common to be done that way - doesn't mean that it's acceptable in this
occupation.

[Y2KEA]

I've only seen that during an IRS exam which a client attended. The examiner was studying to be a proctologist.

[jimmcg]

Exactly how often do you ask your clients to disrobe, lie down on the table or examine their body during a tax appointment?

Part of the due diligence protocol.

[Roberts]

A bit off the subject - but I would NEVER meet a client to discuss such confidential matters at a public place.
Would you like a physician to examine your body in a restaurant?

That is absolutely the poorest choice of meeting circumstances.

Exactly how often do you ask your clients to disrobe, lie down on the table or examine their body during a tax appointment?

[mactoolsix]

Thanks to all who replied - you guys are a world of help!

Mike

[ATSMAN]

Video Monitoring

Another suggestion is to get video monitoring. You can get a decent system from Harbor Freight for less than $300.

Just the sign that the location is video monitored may prevent some people from acting foolish!

[FEDUKE404]

Public meetings

A bit off the subject - but I would NEVER meet a client to discuss such confidential matters at a public place.
Would you like a physician to examine your body in a restaurant?

That is absolutely the poorest choice of meeting circumstances.

Disagree (and a very poor comparison).

I regularly meet many of my clients at one of several nearby restaurants. There are frequently MANY business people doing the exact same thing, over a nice cup of over-priced coffee or while eating a sandwich.

If you avoid the rush times, it is not difficult to find an out-of-the way table. If in a restaurant, I always request the greeter for a table "where we can talk" and (preferably) away from the children's groups.

As for discussing confidential matters, so long as you don't shout (like many do for any conversation or on a cell phone) no one will have any idea what you are doing.

In recent years past, most of my clients did come to my home. For several reasons, I avoid that now other than if they (long-time clients) want to quickly drop off or pick up something.

I also now regularly will NEVER meet a first-time client in my home...in today's world there is some risk to doing so. I do not advertise in any way, shape, or form but even referrals can not be what they might have seemed to be.

Since I am now semi-retired, I do have a bit more free time (still limited in tax season) but the breaks available by getting out of the house even for a brief while can be beneficial.

Oh yes: I also have something a bit stronger than mace available while at home. . .

FE

[DTS]

Home office

Mike,

I used to meet 4 or 5 at my home, but really hated that. When my wife became ill, I stopped meeting many people at their home due to time away from home and now I receive most documents by mail (I can access my large POB 24/7 and I love that.) and I go to the homes of a few elderly. If a client wants to drive to me, I'll meet them for a drop-off or pickup in the front of my home or a spot of their choosing that's close to me and in the case of a woman, I am very uncomfortable meeting a woman in her home alone, so I insist on this.

Rarely do I miss my store front office, but there are times.

D

[ATSMAN]

Depends how public the place is

A few times a prospective client has suggested that we meet for lunch or coffee at a chosen place instead of their business location. I never ask the reason why. Usually I arrive first and I will ask the server or host for a corner or booth seat because we want to talk business and if it is a place that you frequent they will find you a semi private spot.

We are aware of our surrounding so we keep our volume low and the first meeting is usually a get to know each other type anyways. I just bring my yellow pad and my business cards!

I have seen many other business folks talk business at those locations, so it is not an unique experience.

[joanmcq]

I have an office in my home and have for 12 years now. I see all my clients here except for the ones that send me their information. All my clients come from referrals. Many of my clients I had from my Block days. I do appointments so I never have more than 2 extra cars in my driveway. I try to make sure there is enough time between clients so there isn't a traffic jam.
I don't have a sign in the yard or on the front of my house.
I have had my grandchildren here sometimes even during tax season. In fact, one time when my grandson was about 2 or 3 he came into my office and got up in the lap of an older gentlemen that was here. He LOVED it. But usually they know not to bother me when I have clients. Since my grandchildren came along after I started working from home, my clients are all used to them and always ask about them and want to see them. I have to have new pictures every year. Depending on the age of the children, it can be distracting at times. But if that client wants a formal office setting then they aren't the client for me. Mine is casual...professional but casual. Most have become friends and want to visit a little bit too. Remember I am in the South. Southern people are just that way, you have to be friendly and caring with them.
I get referrals every year. I trust my clients and know they wouldn't send anyone to me that is questionable. I don't do appointments after 6 or 7.
I will say my husband is now retired so he is around most of the time now.

Linda, EA

This is me except I have dogs & cats instead of grandkids. Now the dog that is usually curled up on the floor is aged and usually looking for pets, but if anyone threatened me, she'd go for them. I don't do walk-ins, and have never felt threatened or intimidated by a client. My city doesn't allow me to have any signage, and that's ok. My biz is referrals or people that find me in the GLBT yellow pages or through Google Adwords. The Adwords people are all remote clients. My office is upstairs, so if clients have trouble with stairs, I'll meet them at a table in the shade of the yard if it's nice out, or at a nearby Starbucks. I also usually have a roommate or two, and the last few have been rather large males. And like Linda, if my clients don't like the casual atmosphere, they can go elsewhere.

[Uncle Sam]

Meeting With Clients

A bit off the subject - but I would NEVER meet a client to discuss such confidential matters at a public place.
Would you like a physician to examine your body in a restaurant?

That is absolutely the poorest choice of meeting circumstances.

[MDEA]

Office in home

I have had an office in my home for eight years.I only take referrals at this office.If my main office is too far for new clients to travel I meet them at a local Starbucks.I am trying to eliminate clients that I have to go to their homes it takes to much time.