Just starting out and trying to make up flyers. What is the best information to put on Flyers? What is the best way to target customers? I have advertised in the local paper for the last three weeks and not heard a thing. I am after that all important first customer. Please help.
Rather than just list your services, you should outline how your services meet a need that the client has. This will be related to your unique selling point (USP). So could be based on:
Lowest Price
Quality Service
No Hassle Service
Freeing up their time
Flexibility
Fear of HMRC
etc
Make it clear what you are offering. Also, list your company name, clear contact details and where they can go for further information (website).
You need to add a call to action to tell them what they need to do next, preferably with a cut off date and some kind of offer to entice them. For example, contact us before the end of April 2010 for a free consultation (or 20% off your first months bookkeeping etc).
In addition to this, one of the most important marketing tools for accountants and bookkeepers is networking. Visit several networking groups in your area and get to know people to build relationships.
I didn't have much luck with paper advertising but then it is early days for me too. What services can you offer? Are you up to T.B. only,can you offer Payroll can you outsource anything you can't do yourself. Have you tried contacting the accountants in your area to see if they need to outsource Book-Keeping? I am sure you know what you can cover yourself so go sell it and good luck!!(You got PII and Mlr?) Tony
I am new to this forum and have been reading various threads. Can someone please clarify a couple of things for me? I am ACCA qualified but do not hold a practising certificate. I can therefore only offer bookkeeping services to TB and cannot advise on tax matters etc. My questions are : - What restrictions are there for IAB or ICB holders? Can they prepare tax returns? Would I obtain MLR registration through ACCA or would I have to obtain further quals? Thanks for any assistance
Hello Clott (?) and welcome. Shaun is your man for the definitive answer to ACCA. And many others for ICB/IAB, so you are probably wondering why I am answering! But the thing is you do not necessarily have to practise under these bodies, however you would need to get your mlr with hmrc if you discarded with acca. Seems a huge pity you acnnot practise via ACCA, I am guessing you do not have the two years practical experience? If it was me I think I would try to get that and go in as an accountant offering the lot as you will build a much bigger business. Anyway I'll leave it to others to actually answer your questions!
Sorry, not been online for a couple of hours but I suppose better late than never.
I think that Robs been secretly revising from my old messages as he's pretty on the ball on this.
As you know ACCA restricts you to bookkeeping to TB, Payroll and VAT.
No matter which other qualifications you take you will always be restricted to the most Draconian which is invariably the ACCA's.
Seems a bit unfair that you spend years getting the qualifications but then are restricted to doing less than someone who has only passed (for example) the CAT papers.
But I digress.
Don't bother with the ICB at all. They're playing silly games in an attempt to extract as much money as possible and they refuse to recognise the ACCA qualification for exemptions.
However, the IAB on the other hand do recognise the ACCA qualification for what it is and will accept you as MIAB with only personal references or FIAB with references from recognised bookkeepers or accountants.
At either of the levels with the IAB you can get a practicing certificate which will cover you for MLR. You will also be able to get cheaper PII insurance.
The really bad thing of course is that you will not be able to produce accounts until you've done two years post qualification under a qualified accountant. (No Carry on moments Rob!!!).
I think that's covered it but if I've missed anything or not gone into enough detail just let me know and I'll fill in the gaps.
Of course the one thing to never do is give up those hard won letters after your name. I appreciate that having them puts a lot of restrictions on you and they may seem like an anchor to your aspirations but I'm sure that you didn't go through all that to give them up!
Anyway, must be off to check my other fan mail!
Have a good one and talk soon,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks very much for your quick replies - very useful. I shall certainly look into IAB. I'm working in industry and not under a qualified accountant so obtaining the practising certificate is going to be problematic . Ideally I'd like to do some bookkeeping/accounts work part-time, so I'll have to live with the restrictions, unfortunately. I'm so glad I fell upon this forum - it's great! Regards Clott
Sounds very much what I'm doing Clott although I've still got P2 to take yet.
Bookkeeping is basically paying for itself and little else and my continued working as a freelancer in banking for a few months a year pays the Bills.
One of my idea's is that if I can get enough clients to make me of interest to a practice then I can swap my stable for two years post qualification being paid peanuts in order to get that practicing certificate as an accountant.
Maybe you could consider something similar although you might want to build up a bit of a war chest to tide you through the two years of long hours for minimum wage.
The forum is rather good. we don't tend to take ourselves too seriously but at the same time there's a great mix of knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit on here.
Good luck and talk soon,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
