I've just got my practice licence through and have started to network in an attempt to gain some clients.
I attended a Network North breakfast meeting last Thursday, and was planning on attending another but in a different location this week. I emailed the head guy as I was having problems booking in online, and he emailed back saying that I'd have a problem joining either meeting as a member as both already include an accountant. I've emailed him back saying that I am not an accountant, I'm a bookkeeper. I've highlighted the differences, and have stated that I believe both an bookkeeper and accountant could compliment each other. I'm not sure if I actually believe this, but I thought it was worth a go.
Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and if so, what happened?
I'm also down to attend a 4N meeting this week, and not sure if I'm going to get the same there too...
I was invited to a networking breakfast by an accountant last week as he said there was a space in the group for a bookkeeper, so some groups must see the benefit of having both.
I am a memeber of a sector specific networking group that has an accountant. As our roles can overlap I am careful to just push the bookkeeping side, but would say they are a compliment to one another.
The national ones tend to have a central website where you look for your local group. I think in general local independent ones you are invited to if there is a space.
I would advise you speak to the accountant that is already a member of the group and try to get their take on it. They may object if they offer bookkeeping services as well but may be pleased to have you there are you could potentially be a good source of work for them.
The person who runs the group probably just assumes they are the same thing and doesn't want to step on the original members toes.
You won't get the same problem with 4N as they do not restrict members to one per industry as they believe people in the same industry can often work together.
