| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Poll: Do you consider a competent accounting department of your client a top priority when doing business? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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With the number of people answering 'no' to this question, it's no wonder so many clients show so little regard for freelancers when it comes to paying invoices on time. Thanks a bunch guys!
| | | | | I like Neilmac's approach | Feb 6, 2014 |
I guess it depends on the client. Some companies just inspire more confidence than others. Otherwise, all my terms and conditions are on my invoice.
| | | | DianeGM 
Local time: 22:23
Member (2006)
Dutch to English
+ ...
| Hard to say really ... | Feb 6, 2014 |
When things go right, I send my invoice by email or post and wait the specified number of days, the money shows up in my account, and that's that 'til next time. So a client's competent accounting practices and timely payments are usually invisible to me. Many of my clients have automated systems, which work like clockwork.
Usually I deal with actual human beings in accounting departments when things go wrong and payments are already late, payment was sent with wrong account holde... See more When things go right, I send my invoice by email or post and wait the specified number of days, the money shows up in my account, and that's that 'til next time. So a client's competent accounting practices and timely payments are usually invisible to me. Many of my clients have automated systems, which work like clockwork.
Usually I deal with actual human beings in accounting departments when things go wrong and payments are already late, payment was sent with wrong account holder, wrong currency, etc and refused by my bank. I judge 'competence' on how quickly they sort out the issue.
But over the years I'm hatching the theory that late payments have more to do with payment policy and willingness to pay on time, rather than competence/incompetence. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | An accounting department merely... | Feb 6, 2014 |
... carries out orders, follows policies & procedures and posts entries on books.
If the client has a fully competent and state-of-the-art-equipped accounting department, but leonine policies in what regards their vendors, I'll be relentlessly overloaded every time they need me.
If the company relies on an accountant who comes only once or twice a month to get it all done, and nothing in his area gets done between his or her visits, that's deemed a leonine policy as wel... See more ... carries out orders, follows policies & procedures and posts entries on books.
If the client has a fully competent and state-of-the-art-equipped accounting department, but leonine policies in what regards their vendors, I'll be relentlessly overloaded every time they need me.
If the company relies on an accountant who comes only once or twice a month to get it all done, and nothing in his area gets done between his or her visits, that's deemed a leonine policy as well. "Our hands are tied in the meantime" is no excuse for me.
If the Project Manager is actually a manager, s/he'll be empowered to tell whoever is in charge of accounts, no matter how (in)competent they are, "Get my translators paid NOW! They are the lifeblood of this translation agency. If they get sore at us, we'll have nothing to sell our clients, hence no money to pay my salary nor yours." ▲ Collapse
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Let's say that an incompetent accounting department would be a top priority for not doing more business with that client...
| | | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Poll: Do you consider a competent accounting department of your client a top priority when doing business? | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
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