Debt Recovery for Professional Services Firms
Accounting, legal, engineering, architecture, consulting, and other professional services firms regularly carry aged debtors — clients who received and accepted a service but have not paid.
Recovery considerations for professional services debt
Professional services debt has particular characteristics — engagement letter disputes, relationship sensitivity, and client avoidance tactics disguised as genuine concerns. Merion helps navigate these carefully.
Engagement letter and scope
A clear, signed engagement letter or scope of work is the strongest document in a professional services debt recovery. If you do not have one, your recovery prospects weaken — contact Merion to discuss before referring.
Disputed work
Some professional services debts involve a client disputing the quality or outcome of the work. Merion helps distinguish genuine disputes from avoidance tactics but does not adjudicate the underlying professional dispute.
Relationship sensitivity
Professional services firms worry that chasing a client will damage the relationship. Merion's professional approach preserves the relationship where possible — the goal is resolution, not confrontation. Most recoveries are achieved without adversarial escalation.
Commission-only, no upfront cost
Standard commission-only model — engage Merion only when internal follow-up has failed. Nothing is payable unless Merion recovers funds. Commission is deducted from recovered amounts only.
What works well in professional services
The following account types are the strongest candidates for referral in professional services contexts:
- Outstanding professional service invoices — delivered and accepted, unpaid
- Retainer arrears — ongoing retainer payments that have not been made
- Agreed fee arrangements that have not been honoured
- Project milestone payments outstanding after delivery
Accounts with a clear, signed engagement or scope document recover at a higher rate. If your engagement documentation is informal, contact Merion to discuss before referring.
Simple referral process
- 1
Confirm self-collection has been attempted
The referral programme is for accounts where your own collection efforts — follow-up emails, statements, phone calls — have not produced payment. Gather your engagement letter, invoices, and correspondence before referring.
- 2
Refer via the referral form
Complete the referral form with the basic details. Merion contacts you within one business day to confirm the referral.
- 3
Merion contacts the debtor professionally
Merion engages with the client debtor professionally — with the relationship sensitivity the sector requires. You are kept informed of progress throughout.
Talk to us about your professional services debt
We are happy to discuss whether an account is suitable for referral before you submit the form.
- Phone
- (08) 6325 5761
- [email protected]