GUIDE · FOR PROFESSIONALS
A plain guide for accountants, lawyers, advisers and bankers: what happens when you bring us in, what you'll hear from us, and what stays with you. About a five-minute read.
IN THIS GUIDE
General information about how we work. It doesn't change your obligations to your client.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The Network in our name is the point: your client's professionals, connected. We look after the parts between you: who's waiting on whom, what has to happen first, and who needs to know. So your advice gets acted on at the right time.
Your client stays yours. Your advice, your engagement and your fees don't change.
Someone comes to mind
YouYour client agrees to an introduction
Your clientOne email introducing us both
YouA walkthrough with your client
Us · Your clientA copy of the plan, with your part marked
Us, to youAn email only when your part is affected
Us, to youYOUR PART AND OURS
Nothing moves from your desk to ours except the chasing and the order. Everything that needs your licence stays with you.
BEFORE
Ask your client first. Once they agree, send one email to them and to us. We take it from there, and let you know how the walkthrough went.
AN INTRODUCTION YOU CAN COPY
Hi [client] and Shaun,
[Client], as we discussed, I'd like to introduce Shaun O'Keefe from Network Family Office. They coordinate the professionals involved in a change like yours, so things happen in the right order. I'll keep looking after [your area].
Shaun, [client] is [one line on the situation]. They're expecting to hear from you.
[Your name]
We reply within one business day. If it turns out your client doesn't need us, we'll tell them, and you.
DURING
You get a copy of the twelve-week plan, with your part and its timing marked. After that, we email you only when something affects your part: a decision made elsewhere, a document you'll need, or a date that's moved.
What we may ask you for:
We ask once, clearly, with the reason and the date. We don't ask for work outside your engagement.
Fewer calls from your client about everyone else's part.
THE LINE
We'll never:
If your client asks us what they should do about your area, we send them back to you, with what you need to answer.
WHEN VIEWS DIFFER
Sometimes two professionals see it differently. Say the accountant wants to wait until after 30 June to sign, and the lawyer wants it signed sooner. We make sure each of you has seen the other's view, in writing, and your client decides.
If it needs everyone in one conversation, we set it up and keep the record.
AFTER WEEK 12
At week 12 your client decides: carry it on themselves, with you, or stay on with us. Either way, you get the final position: what's done, what's still open, and who owns each part. Staying on is Ongoing Coordination. That's what we call staying on with us after week 12. It's a separate agreement, and only if you want it.
If the work comes back to you, it comes back organised.
A FICTIONAL EXAMPLE
Greg's advice doesn't change.
What changes is when it's used.
Greg is the accountant for Graham, a specialist selling his practice to his partner in stages. Graham's super fund owns the rooms. A lawyer, a bank and an adviser are all involved.
WITHOUT COORDINATION
Graham calls Greg about the lease. It isn't Greg's area, but Greg is the one he trusts.
The bank asks Greg for figures for a loan he didn't know was being applied for.
The adviser plans super contributions without the sale date. Greg finds out after.
Graham asks Greg "so what happens first?". Greg spends an afternoon on calls nobody pays for.
Good advice, given out of order. Hours nobody pays for.
WITH NETWORK FAMILY OFFICE
Graham agrees to an introduction. Greg sends one email.
Greg gets the plan. His part: the earnings figures by week 5, the tax by week 6.
The adviser has the sale date before planning contributions. Greg is copied in.
Greg's tax work goes into the terms before the lawyer drafts. Nothing is redone.
Same client. Greg's advice, used when it should be.
A fictional example. Names and details are made up.
THE CHECKLIST
If most of these are true, an introduction will probably help. One professional and no deadline? You've probably got it covered, and we'll say so.
Download "When to involve us" (PDF)WHEN YOU'RE READY
You don't need a client in mind. A short conversation is enough to see where we fit, and if we don't, we'll say so.
Not sure if you need us?
You'll leave with a clear view of what needs to happen, and in what order. If your accountant can handle it, we'll say so.
Arrange a walkthroughAbout 30 minutes, usually by video. Clients across Australia.
We'll reply within one business day to find a time. Nothing to prepare.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A WALKTHROUGH
Your situation, in your words, and who's already involved.
What needs to happen, who does it, and in what order.
Whether to go further with us, or carry it on yourself.
FOR ACCOUNTANTS, ADVISERS AND BANKERS
We don't replace you. We make sure your work connects to everything else happening around your client. Your client stays your client.
