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• # 73488
• Mon 08 Aug 2011 12:46 PM

Hello

I have fairly recently set up my bookkeeping practice and have my first client meeting this week. 

I am however thinking of contacting some local accountants to see if they have any bookkeeping work they may be prepared to outsource. I'm hoping this may be a way to find some new contacts and get some quality experience. I don't have any links with local firms so it really would be cold calling which does seem pretty daunting.

Have any of you been successful finding work this way? Any tips and advice would be helpful and also what have you charged? 

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Gina


 

• GINA WESTWELL
  VICTORY BOOKKEEPING SERVICES 
  www.victorybookkeeping.com 
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• # 73511
• Tue 09 Aug 2011 12:01 PM

Hi Gina
When I set up my practice a few years ago I contacted all the local accountancy firms not only on the small town in which I live but also the adjoining areas and unfortuntately none of them ever got in touch. That is not to say that your local firms won't contact you. I personally have found word of mouth to be the most successful.
I try to use as much free advertising as possible such as the ICB, my towns freeweb page, freelistinig in Yell.com etc.

All the best with your client meeting this week.

Regards

Angie

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• # 73527
• Tue 09 Aug 2011 04:58 PM

Hi Gina,

I would say go for it! this is exactly how I started, working closely with an accountant and also I gained my first proper client through the accountant putting in a good word on my behalf, I still work with the accountant and she has proven to be a godsend for my business.

All the best

• Stacey Cort
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• # 73529
• Tue 09 Aug 2011 07:35 PM

Hi Gina

I started off by sending out an introductory letter to all the accountants in my area, and only one replied and we had a face to face discussion.  She did mention my name to a couple of potential clients but nothing ever came of it.  Only one other accountant acknowledged my letter - the rest ignored it!

However it's like cold calling I suppose - the more widely people know about you the more likely you are to get one to bite.

Good luck! 

• Debbie
  www.beckcottage.com
  
  

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• # 73575
• Thu 11 Aug 2011 01:39 PM

Thanks for your replies - a bit of a mixed bag but worth a go.

Good to hear from you too Debsie and I'm really happy with my website that your husband created for me.

www.victory bookkeeping.com  created by   www.beckcottage.com

Cheers

Gina 

• GINA WESTWELL
  VICTORY BOOKKEEPING SERVICES 
  www.victorybookkeeping.com 
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• # 73586
• Thu 11 Aug 2011 07:45 PM

Hi Gina

Glad you're pleased with it!  Good luck with those accountants!

Kind regards 

• Debbie
  www.beckcottage.com
  
  

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• # 74027
• Fri 02 Sep 2011 05:10 PM

Hi Gina

I've done two mailshots to accountants in two different areas with wildly differing results.

The first was in Somerset/Devon. In my letter I emphasised the local and friendly nature of my business, so that they would realise I'm looking to build long term relationships and not just make a quick buck. I had a fantastic response and had a few meetings with various accountants (some large chartered, some small management). I have gained 2 regular clients and a whole host of one off tasks like setting people up on Sage, cash flow forecasts etc.

The second one was an identical approach but in the GLoucester/Cheltenham area. I had a couple of standard "thanks but no thanks" standard letter responses and apart from that, nothing else at all!

So from my experience I'd say if you're in a rural area where relationship and friendliness counts (and possibly there's less competition) then go for it, but in a larger city environment it didn't seem very successful for me.

Good luck!
CLare
 

• Bruton Young Bookkeeping
  
  

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