Imagine an owner who has spent the year serving customers and now wants help understanding the accounting work ahead.
The owner has records in several places and questions about bookkeeping and business returns. They are unsure whether the practice can help with all of it or only a defined part.
Put the questions into words.
A first discussion could establish the business entity, the periods involved, the current recordkeeping process and any specific filing or statement requests.
A starting outline
Here is what the business does.
Here is how we keep the records.
Here is the help we are looking for.
Separate the possible pieces of work.
Bookkeeping, financial statements and tax returns are different services. The practice offers these services, but a real engagement would define which work is required and who is responsible for it.
Leave with an agreed next step.
This example stops at a clearer brief. It does not claim tax savings, a completed return or a business result. It illustrates the questions an owner might bring to the practice.
Fictional example created by Muyinza Media. It is not a client story or endorsement from Dorfman & Dorfman.
Inside small-business services