Keeping Your Christian Principles…While Collecting Unpaid Invoices
Keeping Your Christian Principles…While Collecting Unpaid Invoices
Award Winning CPA Proudly Serving Marietta, Sandy Springs, and Lithia Springs for Decades
I am frequently asked as well as challenged myself in ensuring that all of the collection procedures of my business are performed in a matter, that is conducive to the Body of Christ and is according to God’s word. Certainly there are times when we should give our time away, just as Jesus modeled, as others have needs that far outweigh our own. It is when the Holy Spirit prompts us to be obedient to help out others in their time of need that we must comply and serve. However, this article is geared towards working with the clients well beyond what the world would consider the breaking point. That is where our teachings meet reality and our principles are put to task to ensure that we look to help others in all the ways that we can. Of course, if we did free work for all of our customers we would soon be the most popular persona in town as well as its most bankrupt.
-Having Defined Payment Terms and a Contract/Letter of Understanding. The Bible commands us to deal in fair weights and measures, to be just in all of our dealings, to tell the truth and to not take advantage of others. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure that you have written understanding or contract that is signed and dated by both parties. If it is impractical for whatever reason, to have a signed contract it is widely advised that you should have a written understanding. If a written understanding is not made available or presented to you, then you should send one to the other party confirming all of the nuances and responsibilities of all parties. Just as the Bible is written to offer clear and concise guidance, so should our business dealings be written to ensure that substantive responsibilities and duties are adequately detailed both in the specificity and their intent. Working with a good business lawyer is a very wise and judicious use of time and money to ensure that the contract is both fair and the rights of all parties are accurately identified, including both the resolution process in the event of a dispute and how damages, if any, will be determined.
-Remaining Committed to Stay Out of Court. Be as much as it is up to you, to always to do what God would have you do regardless of when others create billings that were not agreed to or when they sin in their anger. Striving to do everything you can to stay out of court and to work to resolve issues as much as you can on your own is following the practices of Godly actions. Once we were involved in what appeared to be an “open and shut case” where we were the defendant. However to ensure we had good legal guidance we retained a lawyer to represent us. In preparations for the case and in an effort to settle the case we offered to may double what was billed us in an effort to be conciliatory and at peace with others. We did not make this offer because we felt we owed it, but rather than our belief system demanded us. Unfortunately for the plaintiff and fortunately for us, the judge quickly agreed we were in the right an no additional monies were due. Though the plaintiffs were still angry and accusatory, I know in my heart, by my actions, words and deeds that I strived to be Christ-like. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.” Matthew 5:25
To read more about John Dillard CPA and his CPA practice, business consulting and IRS representation visit http://www.hiscpa.com/ (All Rights Reserved)
To read about his books A Voice of One, Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s and Charleston Dawn and his speaking ministry visit http://www.john-dillard.com/
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