Are You In A Situationship?
A situationship is like Netflix asking you if you’re still watching.
Yes, but now I’m tired, underpaid, and emotionally invested.
::Together With Financial Cents::
Redefining how accounting firms get work done.
Are You In A Situationship?
Stop playing accountant-with-benefits and start defining your client relationships
In the dating world, a situationship is that murky gray area between friendship and a committed relationship - where two people act like a couple, but no one’s actually said what this is.
In the accounting world, the same thing can happen between you and your clients.
You start out helping with one thing - a tax return, a cleanup, or a few consulting sessions - but months later, you’re replying to late-night emails, jumping on calls about cash flow, and somehow managing their entire financial world… without a clear agreement, scope, or commitment.
Congratulations. You’re in a client situationship.
What a Client Situationship Looks Like
Ambiguous boundaries:
You find yourself doing things that feel like bookkeeping, CFO advisory, and sometimes even therapy - but you’re not sure which hat you’re supposed to be wearing.Lack of pressure (at first):
It can feel freeing - casual, low-stakes, flexible. But soon enough, you’re doing real work without real boundaries.Relationship-like behaviours:
You text, you email, you hop on quick calls. You know their kids’ names and their QuickBooks login - but you’re not officially their accountant of record.Undefined and noncommittal:
There’s no engagement letter, no clear service scope, and definitely no recurring billing. You’re “helping out” until things are “more consistent.” Of course, they never get more consistent.
The Downside of Client Situationships
Emotional toll:
When clients ghost, push back on pricing, or expect more than you agreed to, it feels personal - even though the relationship was never clearly defined to begin with.Mental bandwidth drain:
That constant uncertainty - Am I charging for this? Is this included? Should I send an invoice? - eats up valuable mental space.Unmet expectations:
You think you’re providing a favour; they think they have a full-service accountant or bookkeeper on call. Arg, this only leads to frustration on both sides.
How to Get Out of a Client Situationship
End the #BookkeeperBootyCall!
Define the relationship (DTR):
Have the “what we are” conversation. Send that engagement letter. Clarify your services, fees, and communication expectations.Commit or quit:
Either formalize the relationship into a proper engagement or politely phase it out. A little discomfort now beats resentment later.Communicate openly:
Be transparent about what’s included and what’s extra. Most clients appreciate clarity - they just need you to lead the way.Set boundaries - and stick to them:
Just because you can fix their issue on a Sunday doesn’t mean you should.
Just like romantic situationships, client situationships can start off exciting - easy, flexible and low-pressure.. But over time, the lack of clarity leads to burnout, confusion, and hurt feelings (and unpaid invoices?).
So define your client relationships early and often. The more structure you build into your engagements, the more respect, profitability, and trust you’ll gain.
Because your clients deserve clarity - and so do you.
If you are looking for a real relationship with an accounting partner to manage your firm’s internal QBO bookkeeping, I’m your gal. Free yourself from the time & pressure of doing your firm’s books.
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