Following on from my previous post about Bookcert, I have been surfing the net and come across the `Sage Bookkeepers Club` - The annual subscription is a bit on the high side I think.
Has anybody joined this `club`? and if so, your views would be welcomed.
Although we are a member of the Sage Accountants' Club, it can be worthwhile looking at what software suits your needs.
It can be a bit of money, particularly for a new business and there are other options out there that can be as good or even better suited to your situation.
For example, we have a partner offer from e-conomic online accounting software. They also have a trial available from their website. It is easy to use and I'd say as powerful as Sage (and cheaper).
There are some others to consider too, Microsoft Office Accounting (not online), KashFlow, WinWeb...
Is there a reason you are looking at e-conomic? Or a specific question you have about the software or club membership?
My experience to date is in using computerised accounts packages such as Sage, and I am an associate of ICB. For me the most obvious way forward is to therefore offer computerised bookkeeping using Sage. However, the costs are very high so I am looking at alternatives.
Also in addition to being able to use the ICB logo on my marketing material, if I where a member of the Sage bookkeeping club I could also include their logo !!
I have been reading with interest peoples comments on other bookkeeping qualifcations like AAT etc., and get the impression that ICB is not as well recognised, therefore to add weight to my marketing material, being able to use the Sage logo, at the moment seems the way to go ??
I wouldn't be too reliant on logos from other organisations adding a great deal of weight to your marketing materials.
If you have logos you can use, then by all means do so... but they shouldn't be any major part of your marketing. Don't worry too much about ICB/AAT... for small business many won't know the difference, although bookkeepers & accountants may see a slight difference. It is showing cofidence in your abilities and proving you can do the job that is important.
I would think other software would not have any problem with you using there logos in a certain way if you feel a need. Bear in mind some clients may not want to use software such as Sage either.
If you concentrate on what you can do for them, the solution you have... then I think it will be more effective.
Do you have any clients you can get testimonials from? I'm not talking about "ABC Books are good, Adam." I mean real testimonials that show the source as a real business in your target area... and with a testimonial relevant to the topic.
Thanks for your words of wisdom and advice, your comments are taken on board.
Perhaps I am getting a little too far ahead of myself, and what is most important is to stay focused on what I can actually achieve in terms of creating a good and efficient service for my clients.
Thank you for pulling me back into focusing upon what really matters.
