I'm thinking of ways to market myself and I have seen quite a few people say they have got work off accountants.
Is that a good way to get work? Is it a case of you scratchmy back and i'll scratch yours or do some accountants genuinely want to farm out payroll & bookkeeping?
It would depend on the accountant but generally, if they are close to full capacity, this is the work they would rather farm out as they would rather be doing the more profitable work.
Also, the standard of books coming from an experienced bookkeeper will make the accountants job a lot easier.
Alongside Seahorse (UK) Ltd, we also have an accountancy practice and it depends on the job. Some of the easier stuff we do in-house but if there is a lot involved, we often pass it on to a bookkeeper.
Just to add - it's been said before, but the best way to market yourself as a bookkeeper is networking. People like to work with people that they know and like - so the more people you know, the more opportunities there are. Look around for local networking events in your area and tell everyone you know that you are a bookkeeper and ask them to tell everyone they know.
I currently work with four accountancy practices in addition to my own clients. I sent letters of intro/sales flyer to all practices within my area about 2 years ago now and I am still getting the odd enquiry. The four practices I work with offer me regular on-site work and also the odd `one off` job.
I have not found it be to you scratch my back etc., although they try to quizz me as to who my clients are from time to time ! I certainly pass on their details to any new clients I gain in my own right and leave it at that.
I really enjoy the challenge of working with accountants as the work can be both routine and also more indepth. You just need to build up a good rapport, be very professional at all times particularly when working on-site, as you are representing the accountant and not yourself !
You have nothing to loose by trying to get on their books.
