Poor bookkeeping and accounting are the reason most businesses fail. Bookkeeping helps you in maintaining accurate financial records as you should keep proper records/books by the law.
Still, many businesses fail to implement this integral process accurately. Providing reliable bookkeeping services in London, << advertising removed >> creates ease for the clients. We take away the hassles of all your accounting processes. While keeping updated and error-free financial records and proactive reporting, our bookkeeping services enable clients to make an informed decision.
generally I just remove these sort of posts (we get a lot of them) but perhaps in this instance I should explain what you are doing wrong.
You cannot make unfounded claims about the superiority of your own services. How can you say that you are one of the best? How do you compare yourself? What level firms are you measuring yourself against? What criteria are yu using to measure that?
All that you can say is that you are a bookkeeper or an accountant (although I can find no mention of who you are qualified with or supervised by on your site). It is for your clients to make comparisons not the firm to make claims that cannot be substantiated.
You were attempting to advertise your services on this forum (I've left your email address in your profile but removed everything else) which is by financial professionals, for financial professionals (Bookkeepers and accountants).... Who do you think that you are selling to? I fear that you are trying here to sell ice to eskimo's.
I have not banned you but I think that you should make a new start where you show why you consider yourselves better than others by giving free advice on here without any attempt to guide those asking the questions to your website or to a paid service. Maybe after a couple of hundred answers you may have built up confidence in your services that results in additional work? Who knows what the future may bring.
To emphasise, be aware that the people here asking the questions are themelves quite often qualified accountants as well as bookkeepers.
I do wish you and your business the best of luck but superiority of service is something that must be shown, it cannot simply be be claimed.
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.
Extract from ICAEW marketing ethics guidelines:
WHAT FIRMS MUST NOT DO
When undertaking marketing or promotional activities, firms must not bring the profession into disrepute (paragraph R115.2 of the ICAEW Code of Ethics). Specifically, firms must not do the following within their advertising (note that this is not intended to be an exhaustive list).
Make disparaging statements
Firms must not say anything in their promotional material that is disparaging of or discredits the practice or services of others. For example, it would not be acceptable to say we provide a better service than X firm in London even if such a statement is objectively and demonstrably true. It would, however, be acceptable to say we pride ourselves on the service we provide.
Make unsubstantiated claims of size or superiority
Firms should be careful not to make claims that they cannot substantiate. Firms should make it clear on what basis any claim is being made and ensure that it is justified. For example, if a firm claims to be the leading or most widely-used accountancy practice in a given area, they should make it clear on the face of the promotional material the basis or information on which the claim is made. We advise utmost caution in this respect.
Make exaggerated claims
Firms shall not make exaggerated claims for services offered, qualifications possessed, or experience gained. Firms should ensure that claims made are appropriately substantiated, justifiable and not misleading in any way.
Make unsubstantiated comparisons
Firms shall not make unsubstantiated comparisons to the work of another. Where firms intend to make comparisons, they should ensure that such comparisons:
Are objective and not misleading;
Relate to the same services;
Are factual and verifiable (firms should have supporting documentation); and
Do not discredit or denigrate the practice or services of others.
Harass a potential client
As outlined in paragraph R115.3 of the ICAEW Code of Ethics, services must not be promoted in such a way, or to such an extent as to amount to harassment of a potential client. The term harassment has not been defined in the code.
One or two follow-up mailshots to a non-client over a reasonable period of time might not, by themselves, amount to harassment. However, repeated telephone calls or visits to a prospective client who is clearly not interested could result in a complaint. Although such a complaint would need to be supported by evidence that the recipient was subject to actual harassment, you should be sensitive to the fact that some people are more likely to feel harassed than others.
Firms should also be reminded that where consent is being relied upon as the lawful basis for processing personal data, under the GDPR such consent can be withdrawn at any time and where an individual withdraws consent they should not be contacted with further marketing materials. For direct marketing, opt outs must also be clear and should be adhered to.
I adhere to the ACCA guidance on professional conduct but fundamentally it is the same as ICAEW as all of them are lifted directly from IFAC's code of ethics and specifically section 250 on marketing professional services.
That the firm above did not seem aware of the rules rang warning bells that these are not professional accountants, which is why I left the post on site and commented rather than removing the thread completely.
all the best.
Shaun.
__________________
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.
