[Question] How to get started?

Good Morning.

I have decided to focus on bookkeeping as my "niche".

However, I have NO CLUE what to do once I get a client. Can someone explain to me what happens after a client expresses interest in working with you? What do you do? What questions should you ask? How do you get started on their books?

I know basic accounting but I do not know how to apply it to the client.

Barb

Hi there!

Ok after the client says I want to work with you you need to lay out the ground rules. Talk about what duties the client needs and then what you will do for them. Basic bookkeeping should include transaction entries, inputting of bills received and paid, informing the client what cheques need to be written and sent out, monthly trial balance etc...

Sometimes the client will you also fill out the government remittance forms, do income statements and cash flow reports.

Some clients will also want to fill out their company tax returns. This is something they really should have a professional accountant do. If you feel comfortable doing it, then go ahead. But at least insist that a professional accountant check it over since this will also include making adjustments, amortazation of assets, bad debts calculation, and other things that a CPA or CGA usually do.

After you finalise what duties you will be preforming, how often you will be working and your fee, write up a contract and send it off with a list of the types of paperwork they need to submit. Plan out how they will submit them, (drop off, snail mail, email, fax, shared server) and then... I guess that's it. When the paperwork arrives (or if you go there) then you get started.

Hope that helps.

Kim.

ps: you may want to take a look a different bookkeeping certificate courses that are out there. They will help you get an idea of what today's bookkeepers should know. I'm not saying take the course (though you can, and then you can say "I have a certificate") but check out what the courses require, what they will teach.

Thanks for the info, Kim.

I am taking notes now.

BJE

Great information. Could someone provide information on the best way of getting customers and leads. Thanks

This is a question that I wondered about as well. I'm still setting up my foundation for my business (I'm hoping to start it up by August or BEFORE August, Lord's willing). And this is one problem that I'm struggling with. I was thinking of going online for some tutorials. At my old job, I kept up with salaries and budgets within our department.

I published an article on working with a virtual bookkeeper here that might help with some of the basics. Once you have had a chance to read that, pm me with your other questions and I'll be glad to help out.