|
|
Hi everyone,
I've been reading so many posts on students wanting to set up on their own once they've past their exams and being petrified to do so, me included!!! I thought it would be good to set up a topic on that on it's own!
I've been out of work for so long looking after my family, and my confidence in going out their and selling myself and geting clients really does scare me! I absolutely love bookkeeping and know that this is what i want to do. There are lots of people who have said it's the best thing they've done on the forum and would love to hear how they started and how long it took etc.
Also how much do you even charge a client when you've only just started! I haven't got a clue what the going rate is!!!! I don't want to be under charging clients because of my lack of confidence!
Can't wait to hear all your confidence boosting stories, Please helps us all!!!!
Nikki x
|
|
|
Hi Nikki
It is a daunting step to go it alone but it also incredibly rewarding.
You need to be confident above all else in your abilities and project that confidence to potential clients that is important as looking after the books is a key thing for any business.
I started by looking for business advertising for part time bookkeepers in the local paper's on various websites and on the job centre plus website once I got going word off mouth was by far the best way I had of gaining new clients.
As for rates there is a sticky topic lol it all depends on your area and what your local employment situation is like as with all things the law of supply and demand does to an extent dictate what you can charge. That said there is nothing to stop you giving an introductory rate and when you have them hooked you can raise your charges.
Most people when they are settled with accounting staff are reluctant to change them espcially if they are doing a good job.
Hope this is of some help best of luck
Kind Regards
Stuart
|
|
- Member
- Practice Licence
- 50 posts
|
Hi Nikki,
I've only just got my practice licence & am just sorting out how to go about all the tricky stuff like advertsing.
I'm hoping to put an ad in my parish magazine as I'm hoping that this will get some word going. I'm also looking into websites - but where do you start?!
There's a bit in the practice members area that says that most people start charging at £12 or above. It also depends on who you're aiming for & what kind of area you live in I suppose.
Good luck!!!
Lara
|
|
- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 258 posts
|
Hiya,
I'm thinking of setting up on my own once I gain a practice license - which will hope fully be in the next month or two, I'm just doing research into the best software to use at the moment - I really like using sage but find it very expensive, I am looking into their new software sage one which is online - apparently it's only £10 per month to use...does anyone else use this? How are you finding it?
|
|
|
Hi Everyone,
I would set up and become my own boss should i not get a job within eight weeks.
After reading previous thread and not having access to certain infos, i still have few question . I am trying to list all cost and i would be grateful if anyone could bullet point cost incurred setting up a practice.
How much cost building a website for example? 
|
|
|
Just like to add that I designed my own website for free for the first two years,using google GBBO i.e. Getting British Business Online, and found the templates relatively easy to work with, and although my practice hasn't been going long, I've had good feedback regarding the website, plus new clients.
Also forgot to add that Vistaprint are good for business cards etc, and once you place your first order they keep sending emails for freebies. I have ordered for free such items as magnets for my car and notebooks and postcards.
Regards
Kate
Edited at 14 Feb 2011 06:17 PM GMT
Edited at 14 Feb 2011 06:18 PM GMT
Edited at 14 Feb 2011 06:29 PM GMT
|
|
|
James @ ICB said:
“Hello,
The costs vary depending on your budget, I guess the fixed start up costs would be:
Your ICB membership (this should be in your results letter, or you can go online and see how much the Upgrade is in the Shop)
ICB Practising Certificate £75
PII Insurance starts at £47.70
Other variable costs to consider are:
Software, this could be monthly or you might be able to use the package you did your course in
Website (can be anything from £120ish to £500 for startup website)
Advertising, others have suggested free places to advertise, like the ICB members directory or post offices etc. You could also take an advert out in the local paper.
Printing costs for getting your business cards and letterheads done. Although you can print these on your home computer to begin with to keep costs down.
Petrol, driving to and from potential clients.
As you can see it does vary quite a bit. Prehaps the first thing to do is come up with a budget, as you don't want to spend all your money on a website as it is not a must have to begin with. The most important thing is getting your name and business cards out there, the higher your budget the more places you can put them.
Have you had the ICB's Setting Up In Business booklet? If not email memberservices@bookkeepers.org.uk for one.
Hope this helps.”
Hello James,
Thanks James for posting these bullet points.
The set up pack will be sent to me after completing my Level 2 which i am taking very shortly. I need to get an idea of the cost and come up with a realistic budget.
Thanks Kate for posting about GBBO. This is handy and i must admit i have just found out about Free website set up. I believe this cut out a significant cost. It is amazing!! It is just unbelievable how technology can evolve within such a short period of time.
As Nikki posted, please keep posting lifting stories, us new members joining the club despearately need them.
Thanksxxx
|
|
|
A few other things to consider,
It's worth checking your insurance to, especially if you intend to work from home. It's also
possibly there's a restriction on your leasehold, assuming it exits.
You'll also have to register with the Information Comissioner to comply with Data protection.
hth
|
|
- Member
- Practice Licence
- 50 posts
|
Tony said:
“You'll also have to register with the Information Comissioner to comply with Data protection.”
Hi Tony, I just called the ICO to ask about notification/registration & was told that I didn't need to as the information I hold belongs to other people. Also, there's nothing about it in the ICB setting up booklet, but if you've heard differently then let me know.
|
|
|
Hi LJM
I'm not an expert on this, but if you have a look at the Data Protection section on the Members in Practice, there's more info there.
hth
|
|
|
Hi,
not sure if this is of any help.
If you are in any doubt about whether you should notify the ICO abouot your data handling and processing the ICO website has a self assesment link, www.ico.gove.uk/notify/self/ , with questions to ask so you can determine if you need to notify.
However, if you find that you don't need to notify the ICO you will still need to comply by the Data Protection Act and it is always good practice to voluntarily register.
Edited at 15 Feb 2011 04:36 PM GMT
|
|
|
Hi there
I'm a bit worried about the company i'm working for. i work as Credit Controller/Payroll but i've been asked to book invoices out, which i believe although i can't prove we are booking goods out without good going out of premises. & we are invoice discounting with RBS. so goods are being assigned to RBS. I have a finance manager (accountant) & MD which i have made both aware of the situation. Could anyone let me know how i stand?
Very worried
Linda
|
|
|
Hi Linda
I think that if you are worried about the situation then you should give the ICB MLR Advice Line a call and tall them your concerns and then decide whether you should make a formal submission to the authorities.
Also there is a good article in February's InVoice called "Talking of Sledge-Hammers..." which reads about Employees and their relationship to the MLR.
|
|
|
nckbooks said:
“
Hi Everyone,
I would set up and become my own boss should i not get a job within eight weeks.
After reading previous thread and not having access to certain infos, i still have few question . I am trying to list all cost and i would be grateful if anyone could bullet point cost incurred setting up a practice.
How much cost building a website for example?
”
|
|
|
nckbooks said:
“
Hi Everyone,
I would set up and become my own boss should i not get a job within eight weeks.
After reading previous thread and not having access to certain infos, i still have few question . I am trying to list all cost and i would be grateful if anyone could bullet point cost incurred setting up a practice.
How much cost building a website for example?
”
|
|
|
Hi All,
I have recently started up my own practice and can appreciate how your self-confidence can hold you back. I was wondering if there are any new people in practice, or current students who are intending to go into practice that would like to meet up for coffee, as a sort of informal support group. I thought that it might be beneficial all round as we could swop hints and be a support to each other. I am in the Basildon area if anyone is interested.
|
|
|
Sandra.
I am based in Hornchurch. I am also on the ICB Advisory Council. If there is enouigh interest I would look at setting up a meeting for members to the east (Essex side) of London and the corridor out towards Southend, drawing in the Basildon, Chelmsford and Thurrock outline.
If anyone else is interested drop me a line - info@accountslegal.co.uk - and I will liaise with the Institute to see what can be set up.
Given the time scales I would suspect the earliest to get this together would be mid April.
Geoff Smith
www.accountslegal.co.uk
Edited at 26 Feb 2011 12:11 PM GMT
|
|
- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 43 posts
|
James @ ICB said:
“Hello,
The costs vary depending on your budget, I guess the fixed start up costs would be:
Your ICB membership (this should be in your results letter, or you can go online and see how much the Upgrade is in the Shop)
ICB Practising Certificate £75
PII Insurance starts at £47.70
Other variable costs to consider are:
Software, this could be monthly or you might be able to use the package you did your course in
Website (can be anything from £120ish to £500 for startup website)
Advertising, others have suggested free places to advertise, like the ICB members directory or post offices etc. You could also take an advert out in the local paper.
Printing costs for getting your business cards and letterheads done. Although you can print these on your home computer to begin with to keep costs down.
Petrol, driving to and from potential clients.
As you can see it does vary quite a bit. Prehaps the first thing to do is come up with a budget, as you don't want to spend all your money on a website as it is not a must have to begin with. The most important thing is getting your name and business cards out there, the higher your budget the more places you can put them.
Have you had the ICB's Setting Up In Business booklet? If not email memberservices@bookkeepers.org.uk for one.
Hope this helps.”
James, you say that PII starts at £47.7, I have had a few quotes which are all more than double that, how do you qualify for such cheap insurance?
|
|
|
Hi I am newly qualified but need to think about getting started but unsure what I need all together just waiting for my Email/ Letter.
I am working part time in employment but need to do my Bookkeeping also.
Is there anybody from Coventry Area?
Chris
|
|
|
Everyone I have not yet set up my business but one thing no one as mentioned is phone costs. Did you know that if i.e you are with B.t then can charge about £100 for a business line say you want one at home or you can in some cases convert your land line to a business line for FREE.
WARNING you will get a lot of people phone you gas elec suppliers they see new business and drive you mad. Also look out for dodgee calls so called charities. I had one saying they were selling advertising space fro your new biz in local area on behalf of Police. I got jitty when less than five minutes later someone else phoned and they were for a children's charity. I phoned my local police office and they are trying to trace the people doing this as they have had complaints about it.
Please pass this info on be on your gaurd. Business is hard enough to set up without putting up with time wasters. You can stop them from contacting you tell your phone suppliers you dont want this happening.
Also you get free listing in thompson local Yell.com B.T director and some more
|
|
|
marytrouble said:
“Everyone I have not yet set up my business but one thing no one as mentioned is phone costs. Did you know that if i.e you are with B.t then can charge about £100 for a business line say you want one at home or you can in some cases convert your land line to a business line for FREE.
WARNING you will get a lot of people phone you gas elec suppliers they see new business and drive you mad. Also look out for dodgee calls so called charities. I had one saying they were selling advertising space fro your new biz in local area on behalf of Police. I got jitty when less than five minutes later someone else phoned and they were for a children's charity. I phoned my local police office and they are trying to trace the people doing this as they have had complaints about it.
Please pass this info on be on your gaurd. Business is hard enough to set up without putting up with time wasters. You can stop them from contacting you tell your phone suppliers you dont want this happening.
Also you get free listing in thompson local Yell.com B.T director and some more”
|
|
|
Sandra2301 said: I know the company you are talking about. I believe my husband has their contact details. If you want to email me I will get the details for you: alytonbookkeeping@googlemail.com.
There is a service - which is free - called the telephone preference service (tps), which is also available for faxes as well. You should be able to find their number through google. If you regester with them (it's free) then the cold calls should stop. If they don't you have the opportunity to easily report them, whereby they could receive a heafty fine.
Regards
“marytrouble said:
“Everyone I have not yet set up my business but one thing no one as mentioned is phone costs. Did you know that if i.e you are with B.t then can charge about £100 for a business line say you want one at home or you can in some cases convert your land line to a business line for FREE.
WARNING you will get a lot of people phone you gas elec suppliers they see new business and drive you mad. Also look out for dodgee calls so called charities. I had one saying they were selling advertising space fro your new biz in local area on behalf of Police. I got jitty when less than five minutes later someone else phoned and they were for a children's charity. I phoned my local police office and they are trying to trace the people doing this as they have had complaints about it.
Please pass this info on be on your gaurd. Business is hard enough to set up without putting up with time wasters. You can stop them from contacting you tell your phone suppliers you dont want this happening.
Also you get free listing in thompson local Yell.com B.T director and some more”
”
Edited at 01 Mar 2011 08:45 PM GMT
|
|
|
Thats the one i was told about but when i started typing the answer i forget the name of it but thanks it will surely help others
|
|
|
Hi Ya,
Telephone Preference Society - www.mpsonline.org.uk
you can register your numbers on-line. I also did my elderly inlaws at the same time, so worth thinking about them as well as your own personal numbers as well. I believe you can also do it for mobile nos as well.
Good Luck
|
|
|
The chap from Thompson local told me more and i managed to get there number the company is originated from America They havent phoned since i told one man who said i was offering space in a mag for the fire service. When i told him no and i had said that i had had a few others and suspect its a hoax he sent went off.
According to the www the company as said it will take Google to court because people are saying its bull and of course they are not amused.
|
