A Tough Week in Small Bookkeeping Practice

Wednesday 4th February 2026

It has been a tough week this week, and it’s only Wednesday!

The start to this year has seen several difficult things all happen at once. 3 client relationships have come to an end, one promising lead didn’t progress and another enquiry raised some ‘concerns’, shall we say?

Clients sometimes make decisions quickly, often driven by cash flow pressure, and not always with much discussion beforehand. I completely understand that finances are tight for many business owners, especially in the early stages. But it can still feel unsettling when a working relationship ends abruptly, particularly after the initial period of intensive set up work.

The first few months with a new client often involve more than the visible day to day bookkeeping. There is onboarding, systems building, cleaning up processes, and putting structures in place that save time and cost down the line – it’s an investment in the future that isn’t always apparent until later.

What’s been most difficult this week was not simply losing work, but the silence that sometimes comes with it. Open communication is really important to me, personally and professionally, and I always welcome a conversation where concerns can be raised honestly and solutions explored together. I appreciate that talking about finances can come with feelings of vulnerability or even shame, so I strive to create a safe space to talk about these things. So, it’s hard when a client doesn’t feel they can talk when you are possibly, absolutely the right person to be talking to.

I also experienced something this week that will chime with many professional service providers - that disappointment of a lead that seemed so promising but then disappeared without a word. I know it’s all par for the course, but it can still take a toll, especially when several things happen at once.

Another interaction this week reminded me of the importance of professional boundaries and due diligence. I was approached about a potential collaboration that initially sounded like a great opportunity to really support new businesses. But when I asked reasonable questions around compliance and structure, I was told there wasn’t time to “provide the information I had requested” and they wished me “luck for the future”. A close shave, I think? And a useful reminder that professionalism sometimes means walking away.

Alongside all of this, a community organisation I have been supporting has taken the decision to wind up. That news was sad, though understandable, and it reinforced how challenging sustainability can be in the charitable and social enterprise space. My advice is always – please include a finance person right from the start, when setting up a CIC or charity.

All in all, it’s been a week of endings, uncertainty, but also, reflection. Running a practice requires resilience. I am continuing to develop my skills to be able to broaden my service offering, and focusing on providing steady, supportive services to my clients who remain.

Weeks like this are uncomfortable, but they are also part of building something real.

Onwards.