Discussion:Marketing to former employer's client
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| Revision as of 23:37, 6 October 2009 Heathermarie (Talk | contribs) (New Discussion) ← Previous diff |
Revision as of 01:01, 7 October 2009 Southparkcpa (Talk | contribs) (I am usually ver) Next diff → |
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| {{ForumNewPost|UserID=Heathermarie|Date=6 October 2009|Text=I left a small CPA firm over 2 years ago. While there, I prepared tax returns for Client A--she has 2 S-Corps and a complex tax return. Each each, she complained about the high fees (which WERE high for what I did and the time it took). She told me that if I ever left there to let her know and she'd follow me to my new employer. I currently work at a public school and am trying to start my own business. I never did contact her because I felt it was not right to try to lure clients away from my former employer, although I did have several contact me and I accepted them as clients. I am planning to market to real estate agents and landlords since I feel like an expert in these areas. One of her businesses is a real estate company so I am considering sending her a brochure. Is this unethical since she is a client of my former employer? I did not sign a covenant not to compete. | {{ForumNewPost|UserID=Heathermarie|Date=6 October 2009|Text=I left a small CPA firm over 2 years ago. While there, I prepared tax returns for Client A--she has 2 S-Corps and a complex tax return. Each each, she complained about the high fees (which WERE high for what I did and the time it took). She told me that if I ever left there to let her know and she'd follow me to my new employer. I currently work at a public school and am trying to start my own business. I never did contact her because I felt it was not right to try to lure clients away from my former employer, although I did have several contact me and I accepted them as clients. I am planning to market to real estate agents and landlords since I feel like an expert in these areas. One of her businesses is a real estate company so I am considering sending her a brochure. Is this unethical since she is a client of my former employer? I did not sign a covenant not to compete. | ||
| Thank you.}} | Thank you.}} | ||
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| + | {{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Southparkcpa|Date=7 October 2009|Text=I am usually very firm that a DO THE RIGHT THING approach is best. I have never taken a client. In fact, one followed me from a big firm and I called the firm, told them what happened and offered to pay them 1/3 fees for 3 years. They simply said, it's yours. Best of Luck. | ||
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| + | You seem very sincere, much time has gone by and if the client is that unhappy, they may find a new CPA and it won't be you. | ||
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| + | A LOT of time has transpired. I would send them a brochure with a hand written note and state | ||
| + | "If I can help with anything that ABC firm is not helping you with, please let me know". | ||
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| + | You will make NO FRIENDS at the other firm but .......}} | ||
Revision as of 01:01, 7 October 2009
Discussion Forum Index --> Business Growth Community --> Marketing to former employer's client
Heathermarie (talk|edits) said: | 6 October 2009 |
| I left a small CPA firm over 2 years ago. While there, I prepared tax returns for Client A--she has 2 S-Corps and a complex tax return. Each each, she complained about the high fees (which WERE high for what I did and the time it took). She told me that if I ever left there to let her know and she'd follow me to my new employer. I currently work at a public school and am trying to start my own business. I never did contact her because I felt it was not right to try to lure clients away from my former employer, although I did have several contact me and I accepted them as clients. I am planning to market to real estate agents and landlords since I feel like an expert in these areas. One of her businesses is a real estate company so I am considering sending her a brochure. Is this unethical since she is a client of my former employer? I did not sign a covenant not to compete.
Thank you. | |
Southparkcpa (talk|edits) said: | 7 October 2009 |
| I am usually very firm that a DO THE RIGHT THING approach is best. I have never taken a client. In fact, one followed me from a big firm and I called the firm, told them what happened and offered to pay them 1/3 fees for 3 years. They simply said, it's yours. Best of Luck.
You seem very sincere, much time has gone by and if the client is that unhappy, they may find a new CPA and it won't be you. A LOT of time has transpired. I would send them a brochure with a hand written note and state "If I can help with anything that ABC firm is not helping you with, please let me know". You will make NO FRIENDS at the other firm but ....... | |
