Hello everyone, Im trying to draw up a list of things I need to consider in something which resembles a business plan. so far I have in my mind, 1. suitable qualifications identified- OU B190 with a view to doing the finanical accounting later on. 2. Membership of the IAB on completion of qualification 3.Somewhere to operate the business, from home, got hardware, telephone line etc. 4. A marketing strategy (although just in my head- Im going for word of mouth plus local advertising in local paper close to when the deadlines loom for VAT returns and self assessment, I kind of know who I will target as my market, crofters, B&B's builders etc (mainly Sole Traders). Once I get a little experience and some feedback from my clients I will approach the 3 accounting firms here on Skye and let them know that I am available for book-keeping if they are busy. I could buisness card and yellow page too if I need too, though would prefer not too as it does cost money that one cannot spend in the intial stages. 5. CPD, To become Sage 50 trained, as I do see a real potential in the market as not many older people will like the idea of filling in Tax returns etc online or electronically! lol. I will think about AAT maybe even accounting.. who knows! World is my osyter. 6. Indemity insurance and MLR will do through the guidance of the IAB...... does the IAB provide membership to students? 7. Registering as self employed etc, Ive done before so Im not too daunted by self assessment. 8. I have a name for my business too.... excuse me for a moment my husband is having a waterfight with the girls, they have tiny little buckets and he has the hose! How unfair is that....lol
Of course there are things Im not sure about..
Like charging clients... hourly or by what item or even by task.. maybe someone can give me a realsitic figure for charging per hour then I can use that to determine other things.
Anything else that I need to consider?
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Life isnt about waiting for the storm to pass, but about learning to dance in the rain!
Personally I wouldn't bother too much about yellow pages.
With regards to pricing if you have read many of my posts you'll know I'm all in favour of fixed pricing. Why? because business owners will generally ask "how much do you charge?" if you say "£15 per hour" their very next question will be "how long will it take"
I also believe in it in other trades, whenever I get a tradesman into my home I always agree a fixed price, my feeling is why should I pay more for inefficiency?
Others prefer hourly, but with fixed price you can earn substantially more per hour. I'll give you an example, I charge one business I work with £60 per month. On average their accounts take between an hour and an hour and a half. That's between £40 and £60 per hour.
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.
