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  The Accountants Circle Forums  General Forums  General  Needed for starting out?
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New Post 21/08/2008 16:20
  BeachLass
6 posts
n/a
10th Level Poster


Needed for starting out? 

I'm getting a little closer to setting up my own bookkeeping business but I want to make sure I cover everything before I make final decisions.

At the moment I am thinking of what I really should have, and what I can do without.  I reckon a logo, business cards, website could almost be necessities but are they really?

I'm just a little bit worried about spending a lot before I even get going, then spend my time chasing my tail trying to catch up on it all and make self-employment worthwhile!  If there are some areas I can hold off on spending then I'd rather do that and then sort them when I've some money coming in.

Can I be successful without these things, or maybe just with the very basics?  What do you think the very basics for starting out would be?

I know I'll also need insurance, software, practising certificate or register with HMRC for MLR.

Am I missing anything obvious that I really would need before taking on clients?

 
New Post 21/08/2008 21:36
  Peter W
12 posts
www.brighton-accountants.com
9th Level Poster


Re: Needed for starting out? 

The website is mainly a marketing tool.  If have enough work coming in, then it adds little to your business.

In my opinion you need to spend quite a lot of time or money on a website before you start getting much benefit from it.

If you have the spare time at the moment, you might like to have a go at creating one yourself.  This can cost nothing, or very little.  Have a look at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/office_live/FX101754491033.aspx.

PI insurance and good computer software are your priorities, I would say.  You also need to create a good working envorinment at home, if that is where you will be working.

 

 
New Post 27/08/2008 15:10
  Keith2
25 posts
www.heywoodaccounting.com
8th Level Poster


Re: Needed for starting out? 

Yes, a website is mostly just a marketing tool and not really a necessity.

I've really just a landing page so people can reach me, as my own marketing is a little more local and offline.  Not sure if you really need to spend a lot on a website but like most things I expect what you put in is directly related to what you get out.

Certainly the insurance and some software. I'd also say get those business cards but you really needn't commit to too much else. If you're a little short of funds just wait until you get some clients and are covering it with some earnings.


Keith Heywood
The Book-Keepers Accountants Use
 
New Post 29/08/2008 16:37
  Mark Lee
2 posts
www.TaxAdviceNetwork.co.uk
No Ranking


Re: Needed for starting out? 
Modified By Mark Lee  on 29/08/2008 15:38:06)

You need to be clear who is your target audience. If you focus on 'anyone who needs a bookkeeper' you'll just be another bookkeeper and may not be memorable. That means you may not get referrlas and thesea re an importnat source of work. As are testimonials which you need to collect.

You'll want to build an advocate network - that is people who have the confidence to tell others about you. No one will come beating a path to your door - eevn if you spend a fortune on a website. Indeed, you don't need to. A simple one page site will do to start with. You could even create your own, quite simply, using a wordpress multi page blog.

What I would say is critical is a decent quality business card and a professional email address - not hotmail or gmail. They make you look like an amteur to most poeple.

Before you finalise what you'll put on the card, look at some of the others you've seen. Think about what works well and what's a waste of time. Can you use the back constructively for example?  Don't bother spending time and effort on a 'logo'. When you're comfortably established you can decide on what your branding should promote. And your log will be just one part of that.

Here's a link so some other comments I've made about accountants' and bookkeepers' websites recently - with various tips and ideas that may be useful.

You might also want to consider linking up with one of the new style bookkeeping networks (as distinct from the professional bodies). These may be useful routes to source work.

Again, let me know if you'd like details.

 

 
New Post 02/09/2008 11:45
  BeachLass
6 posts
n/a
10th Level Poster


Re: Needed for starting out? 

Thanks for all of that.

Peter & Keith - you've both reassured me that I do have a fair understanding of the areas I do need to cover to get going.

Also a great tip on using OfficeLive, which will at least get me online to start with.

Thanks Mark, also great info there to help!

I'd certainly want a unique website for myself, too many bookkeeper and accountant websites contain the same information and nothing that sets them aside from each other.

I thought the logo and things like business cards go hand in hand though. Definitely the email address as I hate seeing businesses use gmail or hotmail (but I do use both for now).

I am curious what the new style bookkeeping networks are. Do you have links or other info on these?

 
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