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Hello everyone,
I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment and was hoping I might be able to get some advice from you all... I have recently qualified and am waiting for my practise license to come through hopefully towards the end of the month however it seems as though word has quickly spread at my current workplace (I manage a bar and restaurant) that I plan to make bookkeeping my full time employment and I now have 11 clients waiting for me to start practising with more enquiries coming through. I haven't advertised at all, it seems that just by talking of my plans to our regulars that they have spread the word and now people are contacting me via my workplace or Facebook to ask me to take on their books. Whilst this could be an incredible start to my business I now feel thoroughly underprepared with how to get this off the ground. I would like to note that I am not practising until my license comes through and I have taken contact details from everyone so that I may set up meetings to start moving things forward but having had brief chats with them it has started it raise some qusections in my mind that I was hoping you might be able to help me with:
1) one of my potential clients has warned me that they have been trying to do their own books with no previous experience or guidance on how to do them correctly and the paperwork is very messy... I am anticipating this to be quite a challenge! If you came across this what would you do to bring their accounts into order?
2) Several of them haven't used any software and mostly use excel to record transactions or a written ledger of some sort - would you expect to continue with this format or would you insist on using software? Can you recommend the best software to use?
3) another mentioned that his wife had been doing the books for a couple of years with some experience - would you go back over any of the previous work done to check that everything was correct.
If any if you have any advice on where to start with unmanaged books and how best to deal with them I'd be so grateful, even if you have had your own experiences i think all newbies would appreciate your feedback. Do you have a rough guide from start to finish on getting off the ground with each client?
I would also welcome any questionnaires you might use when you meet a client for the first time to establish what they are looking for in a bookkeepers, client engagemeant letters or any other documentation you use or find helpful!
I do hope I haven't asked anything particularly stupid, the questions asked are purely based on minimal information I've received so I apologise if they seem vague. I guess just knowing what to do from start to finish would be helpful so I don't make a fool of myself!
Thank you all in anticipation,
Melanie
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Hi Melanie.
Firstly very well done and good luck with everything. I for one are most jealous, though obviously they may not all come to anything, but very well done to a brillant start to your business. Its sounds like you have just the right personality so you are basically their. People like to buy from people they know and trust, so dont be nervous, you will be fine.
Im probably not much help as still a newie and just really wishing you luck and lots of success, but their are a lot of really good advice on here.
If most of the potential clients havnt got software, then I would have a play with several trial systems to see what you like. I tried solar which I thought was brillant but then went with the quickbooks proadvisor route. a lot is personal choice and it also depends on what the clients want. do they want to just give you the paperwork and leave you to it? or do they want to get involved? Are they new businesses? Sole traders, small limited companies etc. Persumably if they have been going a while, they will have previous self assessments or end of year prepared by an accountant so you may be able to use this as a starting point for some. Otherwise if you end up with a shoe box of receipts etc, just do it logically, spliting it into date order, receipts payments etc.
If they use excel spreadsheets then there is no reason why you cant continue doing this, but if you have your own software, you can probably upload the spreadsheets into your system, and make it easier for yourself in the future.
Will you be doing the self assessments? I cant tell from this if you have the exam? or any payroll? It sounds like most are quite small and straighforward at the moment, so it may be worth either looking into something like solar, or the quickbooks proadvisor route (you can then have both desktop and cloud software, but get your client first),and you may be able to sell one of them software. Anyway hope thats helped a little. Just take it one step at a time and do your magic. You have the interest so you are almost there.
Very best wishes
Lainy xxx
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- Member
- Practice Licence
- 87 posts
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Hi Melanie,
I'm interested to know if you got any answers to your post? especially question 3!
Did you get any clients in the end? how are you doing?
Mary
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- Member
- Practice Licence
- 87 posts
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Hi Sharon, I'd be grateful off a copy if you dont mind?
Mary@TheCheshireBookkeeper.co.k
Thanks
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- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 70 posts
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Hi Melanie - Have just started my business would you mind sending me a copy of your client check list. John
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- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 424 posts
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Hi Sharon
I would love to take a look at both your checklists and compare them to mine.
See if we are using the same hymn book as it were.
Please forward a copy at your earliest convenience to info@booksmart.co
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- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 27 posts
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Hi Sharon,
I would be very interested in looking at your client checklist if possible. I've been working on mine for 6 months and can't quite get it right.
If this is ok could you email it to amanda.campbell75@sky.com.
Thank you in advance.
Regards
Amanda
Amanda Campbell Bookkeeping Services
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- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 33 posts
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Hi all,
Sharon, I am also a newbie and struggling with my opening docs so would love if you could provide me copies of your checklists to see if they are vaguely close to mine.
My email address is sarahhayes118@gmail.com
well done Melanie on get so many clients so quickly. I have been trading since September and still feel overwhelmed wih my 4 clients sometimes. (Although I've been limited to advertising restrictions of being on a career break from my now previous job. I hope everything goes well for you and You get everything sort out
regards Sarah xx
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Hi Sharon
Can I be cheeky and have a copy too please? elainemarybot@gmail.com.
Thanks ever so much
Lainy
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Hi Sharon
Can I be cheeky and ask for copies as well. I am in the process of getting my practice license, whilst voluntarily doing the books for the school PTA. Still trying to get my head around all the questions/ things I need to cover with clients.
Thanks very much
Becky.
hawkerclan@yahoo.co.uk
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Hi Sharon
I am interested to see all your forms please, if you don't mind. I will only be using them for reference. Please send them to my email address.
Thanks.
Kind regards
David
www.davidrosario.co.uk
info@davidrosario.co.uk
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- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 150 posts
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Hello Sharon,
If you don't mind I would appreciate a copy too.
Thanks
Torben
Torben.stones@tdsbookkeeping.co.uk
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 13 posts
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Hi Sharon,
May I be very cheeky and ask if I could have a copy of your client form as well (not long been started myself)? 
Email address is : Lee@addo-accounting.co.uk
Thanks
Lee
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hi, I would be grateful for a copy mcstages@hotmail.com. Many thanks.
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Hi,
I would appreciate a copy of that!
nina@sheridanfinancial.co.uk
Thanks!!
Nina
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> Hi Sharon
> I think you've started something here!
> Pleasecould I have a look at yout Engagement letter and new client
> checklist too?
>
> Many thanks
>
> Elizabeth Coachworth
> elizabeth@coachworth.plus.com
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Hello Everyone,
I am just qualified and have applied for my practice licence, if i could get the foms emailed to me will be appriciated.
vineshshah@hotmail.co.uk
Regards,
Vinesh
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Hi Sharon
I am going to jump on the band wagon here.
I too have just applied for my practice licence and would very much appreciate a look at your letter of engagement and client checklist.
sarahc25@hotmail.com
Thank you, it is really appreciated.
Sarah
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Hi Sharon,
Sorry to jump on the bandwaggon, but have a meeting organised with my first potential client on Wednesday morning and am trying to get myself organised. Could I have a copy of you check list and letter of engagement too. My email is liz@booksatbay.co.uk
Much appreciated.
Liz Morton
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Hi Sharon,
I would be interested in understanding your process from receiving a new client, I do have a checklist of documents to be supplied by the client and a letter of engagement, could you please email your process and documents.
june@bramhallbookkeeping.co.uk
Regards
June
accounting-4 said:
“
I have a checklist -it's a 2 page document -the first they complete , the second is a list if things to do once the client is engaged. I also take a 64-8 to be signed straight away -I always ask for ID for money laundering as well on engagement.
Dont forget your letter of engagement too
With regards previous years accounts-if they have been submitted to hmrc then I wouldn't waste time going over them again apart from cross referencing things like assets
i use sage -not everyone's choice as it is expensive but I like it
if you want any copies of the forms I will happily email them across
regards
sharon
”
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 12 posts
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Hi Sharon
well can I jump in and request your checklist as well - just sorting myself out to get going.
Many thanks
Rachel
email - rachel.moffitt1@gmail.com
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Please could I have a copy of it all too
I'm just starting out
Thank you for taking the time for all these requests - nice thing to do
kelly
eightcompanyservices@yahoo.com
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 481 posts
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19 requests - think of the space that could have been saved if attachments were allowed to posts.
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Sharon,
I would also really appreciate a copy of your client checklist (lucybrown@capellabookkeeping.co.uk)
Many thanks
Lucy
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- Member
- Practice Licence
- 9 posts
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Hi sharon
im also just starting out, could I please also have a copy of your client checklist and letter of engagement.
My email is rabookkeepingservices@outlook.com
Thank you for taking the time and effort to help us all.
rebecca
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Hi Sharon
Could I be cheeky and have a copy as well. My email address is sam@srobertsbookkeeping.co.uk.
Thank you
Sam
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 8 posts
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Hi everyone,
I'm a newie too and I would really appreciate it if someone could send me Sharon's list.
Many Thanks!
Ildi
zora076@yahoo.co.uk
info@octopusbookkeepingservices.co.uk
Edited at 04 Mar 2014 08:24 AM GMT
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- Member
- Practice Licence
- 87 posts
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Me too please sharon :-)
If only we could attach files to posts!
Perhaps ICB could open a file sharing area? Or maybe one off us could inn googledocs or something...
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- Member
- Practice Licence
- 87 posts
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P.s. Thank you for sharing and well done everyone who was brave enough to ask!
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 13 posts
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accounting-4said:
“
It would be so much easier if we could attach files yes -it would make sense if we had a folder with all our files we use so we could compare and use each other's.
the ones I haven't sent yet -I will send tomorrow when I am on my pc as I can't do it from iPad
regards
sharon
”
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for sending over the documents, you are very generous to us all and I for one really appreciate your help.
As to regards to being able share documents how about a drop box account? I don't mind setting it up so we can all share things and hopefully all prosper if everyone thinks thats a good idea. All people would need to do is request an account and connect with ours so they can deposit (it's about all of us sharing) and download docs.
I believe we can do this but I am also look at other options as well and if anyone has any other ideas please let us all know.
Lee
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- Fellow PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 150 posts
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> Hello Sharon,
>
I would like to reiterate Lee's sentiment. It is very generous of you to
share your documents and I, and I'm sure others both new and old do too,
very much appropriate it.
This highlights the need for some more practical support needed from the
ICB for members starting their own practice.
There is a way you can share files/folders through dropbox without having
e-mail address, though it is one way only. On the web interface if you
hover over any of your files/folders you will notice a link appear on the
far right. Clicking on this "Share Link" will take you to a new screen
with a pop-up where you can send the link via e-mail, facebook or twiter.
There is also a "Get Link" button which will copy the link to your clip
board, so you can post it anywhere that you like.
As I said this is a one way thing. It allows you to share your
files/folders, but does not allow any one to share files/folders with you.
You can revoke a shared link at any time via the link item in the left menu.
Hope this helps, and thanks again.
Torben
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Dear Sharon,
May I be cheeky and ask for copies of both please? My email address is vanessa@bestbookkeeper.co.uk.
Many thanks,
Vanessa
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- Member
- Practice Licence
- 87 posts
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An email adress would help!
Mary@TheCheshireBookkeeper.co.uk
Thanks!
Im wondering if there would be any interest in setting up a facebook group? I think you can attach documents there and it could only be viewed by invited members?
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Many thanks Sharon!
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 7 posts
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Hi Sharon
Please can I have copies too.
My email address is cpearce33@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks
Catherine Pearce
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Hi Sharon,
i've made this open offer a few times, but not many have taken up the offer. If you send me a copy of the file I'll host it on bkpr.co.uk for you which will allow others to download it without sending loads of emails.
If you want me to do this, you can send it to admin@bkpr.co.uk and I'll stick a link here.
Kris
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- Member
- Practice Licence
- 87 posts
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kjmccullochsaid:
“
Hi Sharon,
i've made this open offer a few times, but not many have taken up the offer. If you send me a copy of the file I'll host it on bkpr.co.uk for you which will allow others to download it without sending loads of emails.
If you want me to do this, you can send it to admin@bkpr.co.uk and I'll stick a link here.
Kris
”
Hi Kris,
Do we need to pay to use this site?
I think that these sort of documents should only be shared within a closed group - ie not open to the public to view....
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Am I missing something here? Some of us have just spent days rowing with people on this forum because of suggestions that ICB make these kind of templates available and I didn’t see many of you on this post back this up (appreciate the people who did).
I (and others) have defended all of us who need these templates from various accusations including:
“wanting to be spoon fed”
“wanting our careers for free”
“not being able to do Excel”
and even
“not being able to do our job”
I really wish more of you had made as much effort in posting to try to help put across why and how importantly we need these instead of leaving it to a few and just carrying on bombarding an individual member by making this snowball of requests. If all of these posts were to bombard ICB with “Yes, ICB, we really would like templates” then ICB might be more willing to try to provide something.
Having said that, and if ICB are not going to better provide templates for practice, then I would agree that kind souls should add to the great work that Kris has already done and share on BKPR, which is already a substantial resource.
Helen
Edited at 05 Mar 2014 07:04 AM GMT
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ThCheshireBookkeeper said:
Hi Kris,
Do we need to pay to use this site?
I think that these sort of documents should only be shared within a closed group - ie not open to the public to view....
”
Hi Mary,
This is a free resource that I offer to other bookkeepers. I pay for the domain name, the site and the hosting out of my own pocket. I also put a lot of my forms and resources online. A few others have done likewise, but we could always use more. Many on this thread are members of the site, including Sharon.
I'm not sure why you think these forms should be locked up, but we now have over 650 registered users of the site and no one has ever mentioned it before. I think the resources should be open to all bookkeepers not just those who are members of the ICB. Care to clarify Why you think it should be locked down?
Kris
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Hi Sharon
It was only one of the components of the debate was about the need for templates. This is something I have previously tried to bring to the attention of ICB so I feel quite strongly about it. Some of the respondents defensively made generalisations about people who ask for templates so I got quite involved in answering some of those accusations. I'm sure you probably saw it but if not, it was last posted on Sunday and had many contributors (not quite as many as this post requesting templates though  ).
Well done to you for being so patient with all these requests.
Helen
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Aw, thank you so much Sharon. I will look forward to that. Very much appreciated.
BIG THANKS
hel123@talktalk.net
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HI Sharon,
Am I too late to ask for a copy of your client list? My e-mail is karenwoodland@outlook.com
Thank you in advance.
Kris, I did look on your website for the form but could find it although I will be signing up.
Thanks again.
Karen
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Hello Sharon,
Sorry to burden you, I have forwarded your name for the honours list next year, but same request please. antony.walters2@btinternet.com
Many Thanks
Tony
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 8 posts
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Hi Sharon,
Sorry to bother you! Can I have a copy of your list please?
info@octopusbookkeepingservices.co.uk
zora076@yahoo.co.uk
Many thanks!!
Ildi
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- Member
- Practice Licence
- 87 posts
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”
Hi Mary,
This is a free resource that I offer to other bookkeepers. I pay for the domain name, the site and the hosting out of my own pocket. I also put a lot of my forms and resources online. A few others have done likewise, but we could always use more. Many on this thread are members of the site, including Sharon.
I'm not sure why you think these forms should be locked up, but we now have over 650 registered users of the site and no one has ever mentioned it before. I think the resources should be open to all bookkeepers not just those who are members of the ICB. Care to clarify Why you think it should be locked down?
Kris
”
Hi Kris,
I guess it doesnt need to be locked to the ICB however I would be concerned about publishing forms on the internet available for any to see. What happens if unqualified people download them and try to use them to complete their own accounts.... How do you know they are not being used by unqualified bookkeepers?
If I were to use a file sharing site I thnk I would want to know that the people who were using my templates were qualified and also any templates/checklists that I download from the site have been prepared by a qualified person....
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ThCheshireBookkeeper said:
“
”
Hi Mary,
This is a free resource that I offer to other bookkeepers. I pay for the domain name, the site and the hosting out of my own pocket. I also put a lot of my forms and resources online. A few others have done likewise, but we could always use more. Many on this thread are members of the site, including Sharon.
I'm not sure why you think these forms should be locked up, but we now have over 650 registered users of the site and no one has ever mentioned it before. I think the resources should be open to all bookkeepers not just those who are members of the ICB. Care to clarify Why you think it should be locked down?
Kris
”
Hi Kris,
I guess it doesnt need to be locked to the ICB however I would be concerned about publishing forms on the internet available for any to see. What happens if unqualified people download them and try to use them to complete their own accounts.... How do you know they are not being used by unqualified bookkeepers?
If I were to use a file sharing site I thnk I would want to know that the people who were using my templates were qualified and also any templates/checklists that I download from the site have been prepared by a qualified person....
”
Just because I am qualified doesn't guarantee my checklists/documents to contain only correct information as there is no quality control/compliance procedure in place..... However, I am pretty sure they're good!!
Edited at 05 Mar 2014 11:03 PM GMT
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- Member PM.Dip
- Practice Licence
- 8 posts
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Hi Sharon,
Thank you very much!!
Ildi
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Hi Sharon,
You are probably fed up with this, but could I possibly ask for a copy of your list as well?!
martindanes@talktalk.net
Very much appreciated
Martin
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Could I ask another question sort of realted to this topic?
When doing bookkeeping work for clients, is this up to Trial Balance and it is then up to the client to take this to their accountant?
Can the bookkeeper produce the Profit and Loss Account and Balance Sheet and submit to HMRC?
Thanks for any advice
Martin
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