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Client Seminars
Over the years Mercia has presented many seminars for the clients of accountancy practices. The topics have been many and varied. They range from specific topics informing clients of important regulatory changes and their effects e.g. ‘introduction of self assessment’ to the more general attempts to increase clients’ understanding of financial matters e.g. ‘tax planning’. Target audiences also range from the general to the specific e.g. ‘Solicitors’ Accounts Rules 1998’.

 Increasingly accountants wish to present these seminars themselves but lack the materials or the time to develop them. We have therefore put together a short register of the topics where Mercia can help a firm organise a client seminar.
OPTION ONE
Mercia provides the speaker
from £700 plus VAT and travelling expenses
 OPTION TWO
Mercia provides a seminar pack
from £70 plus VAT
This option includes:

- information for the invite
- a supporting handout
- provision of an experienced and knowledgeable speaker
- a polished and well prepared presentation		 This option provides the firm with:

- a set of visuals to support the presentation

- a handout to support the presentation; this is tailored to include the individual firm’s header

The handout is supplied as hard copy and also in electronic form. Individual firms can amend it to suit their specific needs.

The visuals are on Powerpoint, but masters for OHP acetates can be supplied instead.

All electronic data is on Microsoft Office ‘97.
Alternatively Mercia can organise the whole event. This will include sending invites, monitoring replies, chasing participants, booking the venue and assuming overall control. Our experience can be vital in ensuring the success of these seminars.

In addition we can tailor the service for individual requirements. Please ask us to quote for anything outside the standard service.
Points to Consider

When organising these events there are a number of important matters to consider:
  • timing; when should it be held? Late afternoon is popular.
  • length; 1 hour plus questions works well. Anything over 90 minutes is too long.
  • is it promotional or educational? This can affect all other aspects of the seminar.
  • refreshments on arrival?
  • seating arrangement? - comfortable and are tables needed?
  • buffet and drinks afterwards?
  • what is the target audience?
  • what ratio of us to them is ideal?
  • do we want to attract non clients? and if so how do we do it?
  • are all our people properly prepared to maximise the opportunities presented?
  • how so we make most use of the time the participants are present? - e.g. displays, promotional literature etc.
  • form of invite - personal letter or printed invitation?
  • quality of venue - cheapest is not always the best

As you see there is a great deal to think about. Advance planning will ensure that the firm gains the greatest reward from the effort of organising a seminar. If we organise the seminar we will make sure this is achieved. In other circumstances we can, of course, offer advice.
Register of Client Seminars

Company Cars

The Budget

Common laws and regulations for all businesses

Health and safety regulations

Employment regulations

Directors’ duties and responsibilities

Liabilities of directors

Finance for the non-financial manager*

Financial controls for business*

Preventing and detecting fraud

Effective business planning

Preparing a business plan

Simple budgeting/forecasting

Understanding VAT

An introduction to business tax

PAYE and benefits in kind

The Self-Assessment system of personal tax

Personal service companies

Tax planning for the successful business

Tax planning for retirement

Using trusts*

Using IT within a business

Choosing financial software

Tips on using Microsoft Word*

Tips on using Microsoft Excel*

Using Excel to help your business

Key points re Sage

Getting the best from Sage

Understanding Solicitors’ Accounts Rules

Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998

*These topics can form a single seminar or can be divided into a series.

Note: The titles of the seminars can be amended to suit the specific circumstances
If you would like to discuss anything in more details, please call Liz Coates on 0116 258 1200 or e mail liz.coates@mercia-group.co.uk

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