| Learn about telecom contracts and invoices. You could | | | | Errors are found in upwards of 90% of telephone and |
| save your company millions! | | | | telecom bills. You are sure to have billing errors and |
| Let’s talk about how most people envision | | | | mistakes. Have a telecom audit performed. Many |
| telecom expense and their budget. They get their bills | | | | companies produce them on contingency basis and |
| and someone approves them for payment then they | | | | then you split the savings and refunds. If you wait until |
| are off to the Accounts Payable department for | | | | these bills are past the term, then you will have paid |
| payment. Most business aren’t aware that | | | | for mistakes that can be corrected but you will not |
| there could be many ways to reduce their expense | | | | receive the credits and refunds that you or your |
| (without carrier changes required) since everything | | | | company is due. Another way your company will |
| appears to work correctly and nothing jumps out | | | | forfeit this money is when you change carriers. It is |
| when they do look at their telecom bills. When looking | | | | imperative to correct telecom and telephone billing |
| at the telecom budget the CFO may call the provider | | | | mistakes before changes are made, not after. |
| and ask about contracts and rates, as these are the | | | | As many companies tighten their corporate belts they |
| biggest ways to affect the bottom line quickly (they | | | | look toward outsourcing job functions to reduce |
| think). | | | | expenses. The loss of Telecom Managers and staff |
| We telecom auditors are of a different mindset. We | | | | increases the chance for errors going unnoticed. |
| have been auditing and investigating bills for years, and | | | | The Corporate World is either unaware of telecom |
| we know, based upon experience what works, and | | | | and telephone billing errors, or they feel the time spent |
| what doesn’t. Barbara Clements, President and | | | | on bill correction, or clean up won’t substantiate |
| founder of Auditel Inc. says For almost fifteen | | | | the costs. This is a very expensive assumption to |
| years we have focused on telephone and telecom | | | | make. They couldn’t be more wrong. If CEOs, |
| expense auditing. We have seen how companies | | | | CFOs, Controllers, CIOs and Purchasing Managers |
| change providers, and modify their contracts year | | | | were educated in telecom billing analysis and contracts, |
| after year with high expectations of dramatic cost | | | | they would have a change of heart. They find it hard |
| reduction in their telecom expenses and budget. I | | | | to believe that an audit can make a big difference in |
| challenge you to look deeper into your telecom | | | | their telecom budget. But chances are they |
| invoices and don’t just focus on your telecom | | | | haven’t given a telecom auditor the opportunity |
| and telephone contracts. | | | | to review their bills (not a sales person whose primary |
| Large corporations aren’t the only ones who | | | | concern is to sell services). |
| need to be watchful of telephone and telecom | | | | Telecom Tips |
| invoices. Many bills are showing timelines on them. | | | | - A telecom auditor should reduce your telecom |
| These are found on your telephone or telecom bills | | | | expense without carrier changes. |
| and they have a term in which you can request any | | | | - Research the telecom consultant by contacting |
| refunds or credits be applied for these accounts. Most | | | | references. |
| experienced auditors have to dig through the bills to | | | | - Make sure you are in control of the audit and give |
| find this timeline, but they are appearing on more and | | | | permission for any changes. |
| more bills. | | | | - Request before and after bills before paying for |
| What does the timeline mean to you as a customer? | | | | telecom services. |
| If you are like most people, you think that if you find a | | | | - A complete audit will cost more than a software |
| billing error or mistake at any point in the future that the | | | | based audit and when done properly they are worth it, |
| phone companies and telecom providers should make | | | | as they will produce significantly more savings. |
| it right. You probably think that any of these billing | | | | Everybody that is in charge of your fixed operations |
| mistakes would qualify for a refund. Unfortunately, this | | | | and the corporate budgets should know that there is |
| just isn’t true. The Phone Company | | | | money to be found in your telecom expenses. And this |
| Representative will be happy to correct the billing | | | | is money that you are wasting every single month. |
| mistake but won’t mention a refund to you, and | | | | Just because you have a deadline to get the bills paid |
| if you do mention a refund don’t be surprised if | | | | quickly, as not to incur late fees, don’t let it |
| you are told that its your responsibility to review your | | | | discourage you from taking advantage of doing the |
| bills and that there is a time limit (or term) on the errors | | | | smart thing for your company or stockholders. This is |
| you may find within your bills. Why should your | | | | a painless way to save what could be millions of |
| company fall prey to these billing errors when there is | | | | dollars a year! |
| a solution? Don’t forfeit this money. | | | | |