Honesty in Business: When I Can’t Be the Best Fit for You

Honesty is something that I expect from my clients—even when they don’t want to tell me about all the “craziness” in their business finances. So, my clients should expect the same from me—and that is exactly what I did on a call with a client last week.

This client had emailed me after attending an industry conference. The client had picked up some fascinating insights from a bookkeeping and advisory firm that works exclusively within their field. This firm had compiled metrics on over 1,000 businesses, offering deep insights into payroll percentages, operating expenses, and other key financial benchmarks specific to that industry.

My client wanted to know if I could provide similar comparisons for their business. And while I can absolutely pull year-over-year comparisons and analyze trends within their own business, I had to be honest: I don’t have access to the kind of industry-wide data that a specialized firm like that does.

Now, I hate to lose business—I think most of us do. But I also recognize that as my clients grow, their needs change. And sometimes, that means they need services beyond what I can provide. So, I told them straight up: I want to see you do what’s best for your business, even if that means working with someone else for this particular need.

Keeping It Real with Clients

One of my referral sources always tells potential clients, “She’s going to shoot straight with you—no BS.” And that’s exactly how I operate. If I can serve you well, I will. If I can’t, I’ll tell you that too. My goal isn’t just to keep clients at all costs; it’s to help them succeed in the best way possible.

In this case, my client has multiple entities, so we’re still working together—just not on this particular business. And that’s okay. Watching my clients grow and find the solutions that fit them best is part of the journey.

Are You Getting the Straight Truth?

If you’re working with someone who isn’t upfront about what they can and can’t do for you, you might want to rethink that relationship. Having an honest advisor means you get the real story—no fluff, no wasted time, just what’s best for your business.

If you want that kind of straightforward partnership in your bookkeeping and advisory services, let’s talk. I’ll always give you the truth, even when it’s not what you might want to hear—but always in the spirit of seeing you succeed.

👉 Let’s chat about what your business really needs. Click this link to start the process of working with us!