Who it is for / Accountants and bookkeepers

An AI receptionist for accountants and bookkeepers.

In January the phone never stops, and you are with a client. While You Work answers the calls you miss in your practice’s name, finds out what the caller needs, whether they are a client, and any deadline, and sends you the details a minute later. It never gives tax advice.

Get the founding offer, Pro for £49 a month Read an example call

The first 50 UK businesses get Pro for £49 a month plus VAT for their first 12 months, then £69. Plans start at £39. Your line switches on as soon as you finish the set-up form, with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Accountant meeting a client at a desk
20s
calls you do not pick up in 20 seconds come through
1 min
after the call, the details reach you by email
24/7
enquiries taken evenings and weekends
£39
a month + VAT on Starter, no contract

On every call

What your receptionist asks

  • What they need help with
  • Whether they are a new or an existing client
  • Any deadline they mention
  • The best number to ring back, read back to check it
  • Your fees, only if you have set them and they ask

Urgent jobs

Deadlines go to the top

  • A deadline this week
  • An existing client with a problem
  • A caller who says it cannot wait

The receptionist never gives financial, tax or legal advice.

An example week

A week of calls to an accountancy practice

A small practice loses calls to meetings, not to being out. The receptionist takes the caller's situation and deadline so the partner rings back knowing what it is about.

The maths

What a missed call costs accountants

Say you miss 2 calls a week and two in five of those callers would have booked a new client over a year worth about £1,200.

2 calls × 40% × £1,200 = £960 a week. × 52 weeks ÷ 12 = £4,160 a month of work going to someone else. An example: put your own numbers into the missed-call calculator.

A new client enquiry is worth a year of fees, often more. Callers ring the next practice on the list when the first goes to voicemail.

Timing

When an accountant's phone rings

January, the weeks around VAT quarter ends, and the run-up to company year ends. The busiest fortnight of the year is the one when every call is a new client you cannot pick up.

What callers hear

An example call, word for word

The receptionist asks one thing at a time, checks the number back and never makes up a price. The details reach you by email a minute after the call, and by text straight away when it is urgent.

Emailed to you a minute later

Darren (new), 07700 900469. Self-employed, needs his tax return done before the end of January.

Receptionist: Hi, you’re through to Clarke & Co Accountants. Thanks for calling, I’m the automated assistant. Helen can’t get to the phone right now, but I can take your details so she can get back to you. Calls are recorded so nothing gets missed. What’s your name?

Caller: Hi, it’s Darren. I’m self-employed and I need my tax return doing before the end of January.

Receptionist: Thanks, Darren. Are you already a client of Clarke & Co?

Caller: No, I’m looking for an accountant.

Receptionist: And what’s the best number for Helen to ring you on?

Caller: 07700 900 469.

Receptionist: So that’s 07700 900 469. Is that right?

Caller: Yes, that’s right.

Receptionist: Thanks, Darren. Helen will ring you back to talk it through, and I’m sending you a text now to confirm.

Set up

Three steps, and you keep your number

  1. Tell us about your business

    A short form made for accountants:

    • Your business name and first name
    • Opening hours and where you are
    • What your business does, in plain words
    • Your prices, only if you want callers told
    • Your booking or cancellation policy
    • Whether customers ever need you urgently
    • Anything else callers should know
    • Services: bookkeeping, VAT, self-assessment, company accounts, payroll
    • Whether you offer a free initial meeting
    • Clients you specialise in, such as contractors or landlords

  2. Switch on divert

    One code on your mobile sends calls you do not answer within 20 seconds to your While You Work line. Turn it off whenever you like.

  3. Get the details in a minute

    Every caller is greeted in your business name. You get the details a minute later, and the caller gets a text saying you will ring back.

Questions

Questions from accountants

Will it give tax advice?

No. It takes the details and passes them to you, and tells callers you will ring back. It never gives financial, tax or legal advice.

Can it book appointments into my diary?

Yes, on the Business plan. It offers the caller your real free times, books the appointment and texts them a confirmation, with your deposit link if you take deposits. On Pro it can text the caller your booking link instead, and on Starter it takes the details and tells the caller you will ring back.

How much does it cost?

Starter is £39, Pro £69 and Business £129 a month + VAT, for 50, 150 or 400 calls a month. The first 50 UK businesses get Pro for £49 a month + VAT for their first 12 months. There is no contract, and if you cancel within 14 days of your line going live you get a full refund.

Will it filter sales calls?

Yes. Software vendors, lead-generation firms and recruiters are recognised as sales calls and politely ended without taking your time.

Does it ask about deadlines?

Yes. It asks what the caller needs and whether there is a date attached, such as a VAT return or a year end, and puts the date in the message.

More detail: what a missed call costs, UK call answering prices and how we compare.

From £39 a month, priced per call, not per minute

Starter £39, Pro £69 and Business £129 a month, plus VAT. The first 50 UK businesses get Pro for £49 plus VAT for their first 12 months. No contract, and cancel within 14 days of your line going live for a full refund.

Get the founding offerSee full pricing

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