Blog
If You’re Charging £20 an Hour, We Need to Talk
When you start a bookkeeping business, attracting the right clients feels like the biggest challenge. Once you get them, the next hurdle is getting them to pay you what you’re actually worth.
If you’re struggling to get £20 an hour, let alone £40 or £60, you’re not alone. Almost every bookkeeper goes through that phase.
But here’s what I’ve learned since first writing about pricing years ago.
Underpricing isn’t just about confidence.
It’s about positioning.
It’s about structure.
And it’s about the typ…
Hope is Not a Strategy
I still hear bookkeepers say, “I get most of my clients from word of mouth.”
On the surface, that sounds reassuring. It suggests a solid reputation, happy clients, work that speaks for itself. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with referrals. In fact, they’re often the best type of enquiry you can receive.
But when I dig a little deeper and ask what marketing they actually do, the conversation usually goes quiet.
There’s no plan. No consistent activity. No defined message. No clarity about who …
I Don’t Have Nightmare Clients Anymore
The client who dumps a box of receipts on your desk the week before the tax return deadline.
The client who asks for your advice and then proceeds to do the exact opposite. Every. Single. Time.
The client who seems to disappear until you’ve sent enough “payment overdue” reminders that you start to wonder whether you imagined invoicing them in the first place.
If you’ve been running a practice for any length of time, you’ll recognise at least one of these. For years, I thought they were just part of…
Questions about Starting Your Bookkeeping Practice
Starting your own practice can feel daunting. Each new thing you oncover adds another million tasks to your to-do list.
In this short article, I hope to answer some of the burning questions you'll have about starting your own practice.
What is a bookkeeper?
Before we get started, I think we should address this one. What is a bookkeeper and what do they actually do?
Not so long ago we'd probably have said that a bookkeeper takes the prime records (invoices, receipts, bank statements) of a…
The FCA Takeover
⚖️ The FCA Takeover: Why the End of Professional Body AML Supervision Is Long Overdue
For years, the UK’s accountancy and bookkeeping professions have lived under a fragmented patchwork of anti-money-laundering (AML) supervision. Professional bodies, each with their own interpretation, paperwork, and penalties, have acted as both the guardian and the enforcer of AML compliance. Add HMRC to that mix, and things became confusing.
Now, with the government’s decision to hand AML supervision to the F…
How to Price Catch-Up Work
Pricing is one of the trickiest topics for bookkeepers. Charge too little and you’re overwhelmed and underpaid. Charge too much and you risk scaring off the kind of clients you’d love to work with.
There are dozens of pricing methods out there, but one I’m particularly fond of is menu pricing – giving clients a clear set of options, often three, so they can choose what works best for them and their budget.
But what happens when a new client comes to you with a year’s worth of bookkeeping that’s ne…
VT Transaction+: The Underrated Bookkeeping Solution You Shouldn't Overlook
When discussing bookkeeping software, the spotlight typically shines on household names such as Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage. However, quietly gaining traction among knowledgeable bookkeepers and small business owners is VT Transaction+, a solution offering remarkable value and simplicity.
VT Transaction+ is a bookkeeping software designed explicitly for ease of use and practical functionality, especially tailored for small businesses, sole traders, and professional bookkeepers. Unlike more complex …
UK Chancellor's Autumn Statement 2023: Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners
The UK Chancellor's Autumn Statement for 2023 brought a mix of tax reforms, business incentives, and regulatory changes that will impact small business owners across the UK. Here’s a look at what these changes mean for your business.
Personal and Employment Taxes:
A 2% cut in Class 1 employees’ National Insurance contributions from January 2024, reducing the rate to 10%. For example, individuals earning £35,000 annually will save £450.
Abolishment of Class 2 National Insurance for self-employed ind…
That's it! It's over!
Falling Out of Love with Your Business
Whether it’s been my bookkeeping practice, The Bookkeepers Alliance or my campsite, as a business owner, I've always likened my entrepreneurial journey to a passionate love affair. In the early days I’m filled with excitement, challenge, and have a spark that fells unquenchable. Yet, just like in any long-term relationship, there are moments of doubt, and periods where the fire seems to dim. Recently, I found myself in one such phase, questioning everything …
Managing Your Bookkeeping Business During School Holidays
As school holidays approach, bookkeepers who juggle both work and family responsibilities may find themselves facing unique challenges. While it's a great time to spend quality moments with loved ones, it can also lead to disruptions in your business routine. However, with careful planning and effective strategies, you can maintain a successful bookkeeping practice while cherishing the precious moments with your family.
Set Clear Expectations:
Communication is key. As the school holidays begin, d…