Telecom Contracts: Is This Where The Money Is?

Let’s talk about how most people envision telecom expense and their budget. They get their bills and someone approves them for payment then they are off to the Accounts Payable department for payment. Most business aren’t aware that there could be many ways to reduce their expense (without carrier changes required) since everything appears to work correctly and nothing jumps out when they do look at their telecom bills. When looking at the telecom budget the CFO may call the provider and ask about contracts and rates, as these are the biggest ways to affect the budget or bottom line quickly (they think).

We telecom auditors are of a different mindset. We have been auditing and investigating bills for years, and we know, based upon experience what works, and what doesn’t. Barbara Clements, President and founder of Auditel Inc. says “For over twenty five years we have focused on telephone and telecom expense management projects. We have seen how companies change providers, and modify their contracts year after year with high expectations of dramatic cost reduction in their telecom expenses and budget. I challenge you to look deeper into your telecom invoices and don’t just focus on your telecom and telephone contracts.”

Large corporations aren’t the only ones who need to be watchful of telephone and telecom invoices. Many bills are showing timelines on them. These are found on your telephone or telecom bills and they have a term in which you can request any refunds or credits be applied for these accounts. Most experienced auditors have to dig through the bills to find this timeline, but they are appearing on more and more bills. You may be lucky to find them printed on the front of some bills.

What does the timeline mean to you as a customer? If you are like most people, you think that if you find a billing error or mistake at any point in the future that the phone companies and telecom Service Providers should make it right. You probably think that any of these billing mistakes would qualify for a refund. Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. The Phone Company representative will be happy to correct the billing mistake but won’t mention a refund to you, and if you do mention a refund don’t be surprised if you are told that its your responsibility to review your bills and that there is a time limit (or term) on the errors you may find within your bills. Why should your company fall prey to these billing errors when there is a solution? Don’t forfeit this money.

Errors are found in upwards of 90% of telephone and telecom bills. You are sure to have billing errors and mistakes. Have a telecom audit performed. Many companies produce them on contingency basis and then you split the savings and refunds. If you wait until these bills are past the term, then you will have paid for mistakes that can be corrected but you will not receive the credits and refunds that you or your company is due. Contact #Auditelincorp for a quick review or to ask any questions.