What industries do you clients work in - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

StuartAnder · Senior Member

What industries do you clients work in

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Not all straight bookkeeping work but...

IT, Business Analysis, Consultancy, Education, Banking, remedial Therapy, website design, Website hosting, Security, Utilities, Pharmaceuticals, Automobile industry, insurance, pensions and other financial services.

I basically specialise in service industries rather than box stackers and haulers.

I avoid taxi companies and I don't offer payroll services.

I have noticed that some of my clients pick up a lot of their work by belonging to a Church or similar... So, to increase business can I simultaneously be Prodestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Pagan and Jedi?

May get me more work but I'd be going straight to hell.... The again, I suppose that I'd at least get to pick which one!

StuartAnder · Senior Member

Thanks for that.. Umm maybe I should join a church :) only joking Stuart

Amanda · Expert

Various Tradesman, Catering companies, Training Consultants, Designer/Engineer, physiotherapist, Small on line business, Air conditioning, Payroll for various clients, some of which is just payroll, and Musicians.

I would avoid taxi drivers, I think they are too much effort!

HTH

StuartAnder · Senior Member

thanks Amanda..

Why are taxi drivers too much effort lol ?

Amanda · Expert

Because their records are probably rubbish and too much CASH flying about, I personally hate dealing with cash based business, it opens them up for investigation.

Network with Accountants if its is juts bookkeeping and Payroll you are looking to do, it may take a long time but it will pay off. this is what I have done.

Join a networking group, I would say BNI, but it is really expensive and possibly not worth it, although Gary on here has joined one and done really well. There will be smaller networking groups that are cheaper that you can join, once again it takes a while to get establish, but once you are it will snowball.

HTH

KBS · Veteran Member

I have a mixed bunch too. I have 2 beauticians, a mini cab company (not too bad in my experience!), a business consultant, a doctor of psychology. I have a few self assessments to do for a "handy man" and another for a painter and decorator already booked for April.

I have discovered that new clients are like buses! None seem to come for a while and then all of a sudden you sign up several!

Amanda, I have been approached by someone who goes to these networking meetings inviting me to join them. Apparently, the group is "actively looking for a bookkeeper to refer work on to". Does this sound strange to you, or is this how it works? I was also asked to go along to another meeting by a local accountant saying they were looking for a bookkeeper. I couldn't arrange child care in time for that one as it was the following morning but the one I have been invited to today, I will be able to sort something out for but was wondering it it will be worth it?!

NickCraggs · Guru

Hi

I once prepared the accounts for an importer of Italian Lingerie. They printed their own catalogue and had model shoots in exotic places. However, after about five minutes the novelty wore off, and I was just stuck in the back room and it was the usual missing bank statements and blank cheque book stubbs.

Farmers are the best clients and make sure you go at lunch time!!!

Amanda · Expert

In networking groups, there are plenty about now, they like to only have one of each trade, and Accountants like to invite the 'bookkeepers' along as they don't like doing bookkeeping themselves, they also think that if you get a new client who hasn't got an accountant, then you will pass them onto them for the tax stuff, and vice versa so its all about making those contacts.

My hubby met an accountant from a small practice the other day at networking and they said they out source all of their bookkeeping and said for me to send in my details and then they will arrange a meeting, so that is what I shall do in Feb.

It will take time and is not a quick fix to get customers, but it does really work.

You are not committed to join up so go along as a visitor and see what you think, I haven't joined any local ones yet but am sourcing them and going along so I can take my pick. I definately wouldn't spend a fortune joining one at the mo, also some are weekly which gets a bit expensive, you want to see if you can get a monthly one.

HTH

StuartAnder · Senior Member

Thanks Amanda..

Im going to start things quite slowly, as need to get to registered MIP status with AAT first, then probably try and find someone I could possibly work with on services im not registered for but not sure on who would be willing to do that, but we shall see :)

Thanks

Stu

Mad Liz · Senior Member

Well, this will be fun!

I have, to name a few:

Cobbler x 2
Pubs x 5
Watchmaker
Choclatier
Tattoo studio
Tattoo remover
Rocket scientist (really!)
Psychotherapist
Social worker
Film production companies x 2
Journalist
Rock band x 2
Rock DJ
Wedding planner
Wedding photographer
Glamour photographer

We have our usual share of tradesmen and IT consultants too!

KBS · Veteran Member

WOW Liz, you really do have a mixed bunch!

Amanda · Expert

Wow that is quite a handful you have got there.

My Psychotherapist client is lovely, very interesting to talk to.

Not sure I fancy any pubs a clients.

rachel_mclean · Guru

Lots and Lots of builders (I live in Cornwall)
Photographer
Artist
Pub
Beauty Salon

kjmcculloch83 · Expert

I was pretty focused on the type of client I targetted which has lead me to having just a few industries. Driving instructors and retail make up the biggest proportion with others being tradesmen, gardeners, photographers and a few private landlords.

All of my clients are either sole traders or individuals.

Kris

Sammy76 · Senior Member

Beauticians
Security & Alarm systems
Dental Practices
Funeral Directors
Catering

In past I have done
Double Glazing Company
Signwriters
Specialist spray paint company
Hairdressers

numbnumber · Senior Member

I have always specialised in the agricultural industry, namely farmers but over the past 35 years I have worked for post office village shop, joiners, marketing agencies, pump manufacturers, plumbers, rose growers, builder, seed merchant, plant operators, just to name a few.

I agree with Nick, farmers are the best I have had some wonderful farmer clients, two of which I have worked for 35 years. The only downside with farmers is that if working on their premises, it is usually cold, damp, dark and small offices and if you dare put the heater on they come in with boiler suits and arctic coats and say "I don't know how you work in this heat?" and the temperature in the office reads 17.5 degrees!

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

lol Roz,

one of mine was a farm shop in deepest darkest Lincolnshire and whilst the records were beautifully kept (agree totally on farmers) they actually kept them in an old 18th century ledger book.

When the farmer retired and the shop closed they allowed me to keep the old ledger which I absolutely love... Guess inside I'm just aan Ebeneezer Scrooge trying to get out.

Also when I went there I never knew what I was going to end up doing. Stangest one was where I helped with birthing a calf.

bk · Senior Member

Engineering consultants, garages, film production company x 2, optician, plumbers, electricians, builders, business management consultant, caterers, dance instructor, various other tradesmen, training provider, ironing company, cleaning company and masseur to name a few.

FoxAccountancyServices · Expert

Last year, I did some bank analysis work for an adult video site (the kind where users logged on to watch live girls). And, I designed a spreadsheet that helped work out the girls commissions!

An overweight person in the US asked me to design a spreadsheet that tracked his daily calories and his weight loss (I sold that on to someone else, too)

I have a UK company that is part of a Malaysian group

A mad scientist, who is in his 70s (drives me bonkers!)

Think that's it for the kooky jobs...