MIxing Work and Friendship - I am in a muddlem as I rely on her as my account, but she is seriously ill

[2010aQuintessentialOdyssey]

Having recently started a new satelite office of our small company (had to, as we moved overseas) I find that I am not skilled in how accounting is done here. I got in touch with a very old friend, who has just started her own accounting firm after 15 years in this profession.

I did not want to outsource everything to her, but handle some of it myself, to keep the overview of our finances.

We have had our first meeting, decided we need one more to get the working relationship started off properly.

She has told me she has breast cancer, and will have surgery in January. I can now not get in touch with her.

I do understand she needs to prioritize her health and this is a pretty tough situation for her, I feel she should have been more upfront before taking me on as a client. I need a lot of follow up, and I have hundreds of questions, and she knows this.

I need an accountant to hold my hand and guide me through the first couple of months of doing accounting here.

She needs to focus on herself.

I dont know what to do.

seems it is even affecting my ability to spell

Did she know / tell you she was ill before she took on the job ?
Maybe the illness has progressed unexpectedly..

Because it is not something that you put off until she is better, perhaps you could find someone else to do the work, while being supportive as her friend?

If you haven't formalised anything (signed an agreement) then can you not make alternative - perhaps temporary - arrangements, until she is back on her feet?

She knew about it when she took us on. I did not realize it at the time, but she was wearing a wig as her treatment was causing hairloss. She only told me about her condition before Christmas, and with her operation in January, I dont see how I can get this sorted. Yet, her firm is new, and she needs clients.

She's probably having surgery - she did say she'd be having in in January. You should have taken this on board before becoming her client and furthering the working relationship.

How urgent is your accounting work?

Maybe I can do that.
But I dont know whereelse I can find an accountant that is willing to take on so LITTLE work, and so much consultancy. We are only two employees to run payroll for, and then help me with the accounting and filing end of year returns.

If your work is urgent, you need to find another company - eoither permament or temporary. Is the company only her?

soupdragon, I did not know, she told me after we had agreed. it feels pretty urgent, as I dont know what the heck I am supposed to be doing!

I will be back in a bit

I was going to suggest that a freelance MNer may be able to help you out but of course you're overseas with different rules etc.

I managed to get hold of her, and have scheduled a meeting for friday morning. I will prepare a list of everything uncertain, so we can clear up the lot.

She did mention her chemo was hell at the moment ...
We have a girls night in at another friends house on saturday, providing she can find a babysitter for her 3 sons - her dh is coastguard, and one month out to sea, and one month on land. Her dh is back on the 24th, so I think she has her op then. I feel so sad for her.

Glad you got hold of her. It sounds like she's having a tough time I think you need to ask how you can make this easier for both of you - obviously you don't want to pressurise her whilst she's ill but you still need stuff done.