Stop Chasing Clients for MTD Documents: Automated Reminders That Work

Every accountant knows the feeling. You send an email asking for documents. Nothing. You follow up a week later. Still nothing. You call. They promise to send it tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes.

The Hidden Cost of Chasing

Research from practice management consultants suggests the average small practice spends 5–8 hours per week on client chasing. That is: - 250+ hours per year - The equivalent of 6 working weeks - Time that could be spent on billable work or business development

Why Clients Do Not Respond

It is rarely malicious. Clients do not respond because: 1. **The email gets buried** — they intend to do it later and forget 2. **They do not know what you need** — vague requests get ignored 3. **It feels like effort** — finding and attaching files is friction 4. **No urgency** — without a clear deadline, it drops down their list

What Actually Works

1. Be Specific Instead of "please send your records", list exactly what you need: - P60 for 2024/25 - Bank statements (April–June 2025) - Rental income summary

2. Make It Easy Give clients a single link where they can upload files. No email attachments, no portals with passwords they have forgotten.

3. Automate the Follow-Up Set reminders that go out automatically: - First reminder: 2 weeks before deadline - Second reminder: 1 week before - Overdue notice: 1 day after deadline

4. Show Progress When clients can see "3 of 5 documents uploaded", it creates momentum. They want to complete the list.

The PracticeNudge Approach

PracticeNudge combines all four principles: - **Specific checklists** per client with named documents - **Magic upload links** — one click, drag and drop, done - **Automated reminders** on your schedule - **Progress tracking** visible to both you and the client

The result: less chasing, more compliance, happier clients.

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