I'm just starting as a marketing consultant and I have just secured a contigency contract with a small business owner but my real concern is what books or access areas do I need from this small business owner to ensure he pays me the right percentage and also not hide anything from me.

Hello b:

I don't know what you're going to do NOW. The contract you just secured should have included your right to check up on him somehow. If it DIDN'T, you're going to have a hell of a time getting him to sign a revised version. And, he isn't going to let you look at his books. For this first client, I think you're just going to have to take him at his word.

For FUTURE business, hire a lawyer to write up your contract. Tell him what you need in there and he'll write it in the contract.

excon