Accountant hero does his duty (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accountant hero does his duty

4:14pm Monday 2nd March 2009

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Tony, our accountant hero, had done what was asked of him.

He had a list of potential target businesses that Eric Pemember might conceivably want to buy.

He had the last set of statutory accounts filed at Companies House for each of them, and the names and addresses of the relevant directors. He went into Eric’s office feeling pleased with himself.

“Don’t know what you are looking so happy about,” said Eric.

“One of my key sales people left last week, and has started ringing my customers. It is really annoying.”

“Have you spoken with your solicitor, Bernadette, yet?” replied Tony.

“You re-did all your employment contracts last year and I am sure you put in some restrictive covenants.

"Give her a quick call and get her to fire off a letter to the chap.

"That should sort him out. I’ll hang around whilst you make the call.”

Eric duly made the call.

Tony couldn’t help himself overhearing Eric suggesting to Bernadette that, firstly, he was glad that he had thought of renewing all his employment contracts and, secondly, that his first thought when he had heard about the salesman was to give her a call.

“Right, feel better for that Tony. Bernadette will get that letter off.

"Now how much will I have to pay for each of these businesses? Have you rung them yet?”

“Eric, we never do anything like this without your express permission.

"Let’s go over the list and narrow down who you might be interested in.”

“Mmmm – now that director once made a pass at Marjorie’s sister.

"Don’t mind that as such, but doesn’t say much for his judgement! Let’s cross him off,” said Eric.

“The third business will be going bust soon; they don’t have a good reputation, so don’t want to call them.

"That last one has some nice kit. I spoke with the supplier a couple of months ago and he was telling me that he had just sold them two top of the range machines. "But they will have cost a pretty penny. “They may well be having some difficulties. It might be worth giving them a call.”

“Ok,” said Tony. “Let’s strike while the iron’s hot. Pass me your phone Eric.”

Eric looked impressed. “Never saw you as a man of action before, Tony. We’ll have this done in no time.”

Thirty seconds later Tony put down the phone. “He’s skiing for two weeks. His secretary said we should ring back then.”