Ive been on this forum before with the same topic, but unfortunately could not start at that time due to personal circumstances.
I am looking into starting my publicity today for my new bookkeeping business, im not sure what sort of clients il get although i will only try to start off with small business bokkkeeping.
Im not sure what packages to use or what spread sheets to use if a business wants manual accounts, as i only have experience in using the computerised package of quickbooks.
If someone asks me to their accounts manually how do i go by this? does anyone have any templates they could forward or is there somewhere i can aceess such support.
I know that alot of businsses use sage, which would be a good sage package to get with minimum costs? is there anywhere i can purchase this abit cheaper ?
Any comments or suggesstions would be greatly appreciated.
If I were you I'd have a go at some of the other packages out there both free and trial. But more than that I'd probably look at some of the courses available especially around manual bookkeeping. I think it's always best to understand the basics then you know what your software is doing too.
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
I certainly agree it's important to understand the basics and what software actually does, how it affects the accounts and their balances.
Apart from that, I'd forget about providing manual bookkeeping services - just not worth it these days and something I've actually never seen in practice (though one of our directors has).
We do have another package worth considering. It's called e-conomic and is a very nice package (not heard anything negative yet from users). We have a partner offer from them which has some great exclusive benefits, including a free subscription for your own use.
Now you have an option to get something where you don't have to spend!
We've not actually setup e-conomic ourselves, don't resell it or anything like that - just had a very nice offer from them that helps bookkeepers and accountants with accessing software that works for them and their clients.
Please do take a look, and let me know what you think!
Ive just looked at the website. Personally i think it looks really good. It seems to have everything and is tailored to individual businesses to ensure all individual business needs are met.
The best bit about it is that you can access it anywhere via the internet, this is vey handy does not restrict where you access info or where you work from, which for me is very appealing.
If i find a client who is inetersted i will definately be recomending it. Do you know anyone who has used it and has commented or given feedback on it?
Its always good to know what benfits and problems others may have had.
im in the same situation as you. im not quite sure how to start off. ive been looking at starting up under a franchise, the initial investment does worry me though. have you looked at this option? i think it could be worth it because it has a proven success record. im looking at boogles and the local bookkeeper
I looked at a few franchise ones initially but the costs are high.
I believe you can do it without as long as you feel confident and take the right approach.
I would advise you to: Make business posters you can do this at home Make business cards Talk to your local businesses within a certain mile radius and introduce yourself, tell them what you do and how you can support them Start off at a reasonable rate as there are alot of bookkeepers about Word of mouth, if you have family and friends in business offer to do theirs, and ask them to recommend you
It will work, good luck, it takes times but its worth it int he end
Have you had any luck with meeting potential clients, or are you worrying more about then winning them over as clients?
With clients I simplify it as two stages.
The first being finding the opportunities, coming in contact with businesses that could benefit from your services. And the second being the conversion of those from leads or prospects to actual clients.
Each of these is quite different and even if you have no problem with the first stage... it will be hard if you don't achieve much in the second stage. Be sure to consider the needs of those you meet, and present them with a professional solution - communication, clear proposals, provide solutions to their problems and so on.
