1st Potential Client. Should I push them or are the red flags too much?
Hello, I might be landing my first client but I am not sure how to, or if I should, close the deal. I had a discovery call with them last year but they ghosted me, so I sent follow-up emails monthly about just letting them know I am still available but my main work (not bookkeeping) picked up and I didn't focus on my business. Well this potential client called me back out of the blue this month and said they needed me to do their books so their CPA can file their 2025 taxes. I did get them to send me bank statements so I was able to get a good idea of the number of transactions, but they haven't added me as an accountant to QBO so I can't give them a quote for services. They want clean up of 2025 (all 12 months) so they can file their taxes and then clean up for 2026 to get current and then month-to-month. I won't give a quote until I get into QBO as I want to see what they may have already done and look at the COA etc... I have followed up with them several times. (I am honestly surprised I was able to get the bank statements at this point).
I am afraid to take them as a client at this point because even if they sign up with me, they will expect me to do the clean up and get the 2025 books to the CPA by 9/1 and their communication already has been spotty. I know I will need additional info to classify the transactions once I am contracted. Should I push them? I do want to get my first client, but I also don't want this to end in disaster as I am seeing the red flags already. Any Advice? (for data, it looks like about 70 transactions a month on average, so not a ton, and I know I could do the work if they communicate timely with me.)