The library · Accountancy firms · Enquiries and follow-up

Prepare for a first meeting

A first meeting has to establish what the business does, what state the records are in, who the previous accountant was and whether the firm is able to take the work on.

The prompt
I work in marketing at an accountancy firm. Help me prepare me for a first meeting with a prospect.

Context: A first meeting has to establish what the business does, what state the records are in, who the previous accountant was and whether the firm is able to take the work on.

Before you start, ask me for anything missing from this list:
- What we know about them
- What they asked for
- What we usually need to find out

Then:
1. Summarise who they are and what they want.
2. List the questions that decide whether we can help.
3. Suggest how to explain cost and next steps.

Give me:
- A one-page brief
- Ten questions in order

Rules:
- Use only the facts I give you. Where something is missing, write [detail needed]. Never invent a number, a name, a quote or a source.
- Give general information only. Never write anything that reads as tax advice on a person's own affairs, and never suggest a tax saving or an outcome with HMRC is likely or guaranteed.
- Write in plain English, in our voice if I have given you a sample.
- Do not tell me what the rules or regulations say. If something may be restricted, flag it and I will check.

Finish with a list headed "Check before this goes out". Include these, plus anything else the partner who approves marketing or our ethics and compliance lead should see:
- Identity and anti-money-laundering questions the firm must ask
- Whether any service they want needs authorisation we do or do not hold
- That notes are stored where client information belongs

Paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot. It will ask you for what it needs.

Check before this goes out

  • Identity and anti-money-laundering questions the firm must ask
  • Whether any service they want needs authorisation we do or do not hold
  • That notes are stored where client information belongs

The prompt gives you a first draft. Someone qualified still approves anything a client will read.

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