It’s not a good match

Today I talked with a talented personal chef who needed help getting his bookkeeping in order after working with an inexperienced accountant. I’m always happy to help people with their finances, but I had to be clear about one thing. His business involves buying and selling alcohol, which isn’t part of the industries I serve.

He was respectful when I explained my position. He then asked how much it usually costs to hire a good bookkeeper to organize the books. I gave him a general price range and explained that rates depend on a few things, such as:

• The scope of work, such as reconciling past transactions or setting up new accounting systems,
• The bookkeeper’s level of experience,
• And the geographic location and local market rates.

The main lesson: Being clear about your ethical boundaries builds trust. Sharing honest information about the market also helps clients make good choices, even if you can’t take on their project.