Letter to approach Accountants

[urhiddenoffice]

Hi everyone I am new to the site so be kind:redface:
Does any one have any help or advice that they could offer or ideally a copy of a letter that they would send to accountants offering book keeping services. I have recently set up as a sole trader and would love some advice as to how to canvess client and get refferals.

Thanks

[accountancyextra]

As an accountant who receives 2-3 letters from bookkeepers a week, I'd say please don't use someone elses letter.

Do something different!!

You are going to need to capture the accountants attention within a few seconds, so your letter needs to really stand out.

[David Griffiths]

Just accept that most of your letters are going to go in the bin.

There is no way that I am going to recommend any bookkeeper just because he or she writes to me. I'd need to see examples of work for one of my clients over a reasonable period, and be happy that it's accurate.

Start up bookkeepers are ten a penny these days and I've seen far too many that don't have a clue about real bookkeeping.

Sorry if it's not what you want to hear. That's life.

[MyAccountantOnline]

Hi everyone I am new to the site so be kind:redface:
Does any one have any help or advice that they could offer or ideally a copy of a letter that they would send to accountants offering book keeping services. I have recently set up as a sole trader and would love some advice as to how to canvess client and get refferals.

Thanks

My advice - if you are going to send a letter make it personal. A standard copied letter will stand out a mile. In my opinion you'll have a very hard job getting work from any accountant on the back of one letter but good luck!:)

Its a competitive market out there for bookkeepers with just about everyone who has a idea of record keeping (and some with very little ability) thinking they can do it.

Do some searches on here of old threads and you'll get some ideas and insight into what others are doing.

[Williams lester]

We normally file all such letters under B for bin. We meet a large amount of bookkeepers whilst seeing clients, and if we find a good one, would ask them if they are interested in referrals. It doesn't work the other way around as you would have to prove your standard of work first.

[DFL]

What a grumpy lot you are :cool:

OP - Make the letter stand out, be original, sell yourself, give quality and service guarantees, offer to do some work for free to show your ability, follow up with a telephone call, get yourself in front of them, etc etc.

Lots of accountants crying out for good bookkeepers as they are few and far between amongst a sea of 'data inputters' calling themselves bookkeepers.

[MyAccountantOnline]

What a grumpy lot you are :cool:



I was trying to be positive and helpful:):)

[Susie Sue]

Good for you Jason!! ;)

[Homshaw]

If I could find a bookkeeper who was good at what they did I would be more than happy to work with them (except I'm a bit too busy).

It's good for the bookkeeper because they can offer a complete service without the client having to look for an accountant separately and if they are uncertain of something they have someone to ask.

For the accountant he gets a well prepared set of books to work on that he should be able to convert into a set of accounts with a minimum of effort.

The hard bit is finding someone you trust and can work with and you know is going to do a good job.

A lot of accountants have bookkeeper who they have to keep busy so it might be a good idea to approach accountants in neighbouring towns so you are expanding their area with good quality jobs

[Homshaw]

I've seen far too many that don't have a clue about real bookkeeping.



Did go to see this beautician who had used a bookkeper. This bookkeeper had told her she could claim for her bus fares from and too work. She had about 500 bus tickets stapled to bits of paper and neatly filed and recorded in a Cathedral Cash Book.

Sad thing was the books were of little help and she charged her more than I did for the accounts and tax return

In the right business a good bookkeeper with a well used accounts package is invaluable. The management information alone can justify the cost of the bookkeeper

[Alison Jones]

Not all accountants throw letters like this in the bin.

I gained majority of my clients from accountants I had written to.

Ali

[David Griffiths]

Did anybody say that all accountants throw the letters in the bin?

[Homshaw]

Did anybody say that all accountants throw the letters in the bin?

I know how hard it is to start a new business and if I receive letters such as this I would read them carefully but I have an assistant I have to keep busy and most of the time I just can't help.

Most really small businesses can't justify a bookkeeper so you are looking at medium sized businesses where a bookkeeper can be invaluable

If I were looking to expand into a neighbouring area, which I'm not, the thought of a good bookkeeper (self employed) working with myself would be appealing and I would spend money and time finding suitable clients