Bookkeeping Tips/Analogies Help Please

[weebly_one]

I am doing a 5 minute presentation at the Northampton Women In Business Lunch tomorrow - so I need to make bookkeeping interesting so people don't fall asleep!

I plan to make the talk visual by bringing along a bag full of reciepts to wave around and ask people how they feel when they have to sit down to do their own bookkeeping (expecting groans at the point!) - then I want to tell a few stories about happy clients, pass on a couple of tips, and finish with challenging the members to think how they would feel if I took all their reciepts away and presented them with localy simple easy to read management accounts.

So - just as a few pointers and titbits for people to take away some free advice from the 5 minute talk, do any of you bookkeepers or accountants have any pointers I can include?

I mean things like don't forget to claim your business mileage at 40p per mile - and claim back the VAT proportion if you are VAT registered. Not just trips to client sites but also trips to networking meetings and even to the bank are valid to reclaim.

The audience is a mix of self employed sole traders and owners of small limited companies, plus one or 2 staff members at larger companies.

I also wanted to stress the importance of having an Accountant as well as a bookkeeper, but I am struggling to think of an analogy to demonstrate the difference between the roles. Almost like the bookkeeper is like your GP looking after day to day finance issues and the Accountant a Hospital Consultant you ask about larger specialist issues like Tax and depreciation, can anyone suggest a better one?

 

[winton50]

I think they're all pretty good ideas actually.

You could always get a brown HMRC envelope and wave that in front of their faces - that generally wakes people up!

The doctor analogy is one I use.

Imagine building a house. A brickie comes along and tells you he can do everything and it'll be cheaper. So you get him to build the walls, roof it, fit the kitchen and carpets etc.

The only thing is halfway through he gets another bricklaying job and goes off to do that because it's what he really likes.

So the house gets finished, it's probably not as good as if you'd used individual expert trades,taken longer, it's cost you less but you're going to be spending more fixing things that your brickie hasn't done too well.

Plus you've had months of stress.

What actually happens in real life is that brickies come along and do their bit, hand over to a roofer, who hands over to electricians, plumbers etc and you get the best of each and (hopefully) less stress.

It's difficult making accounts interesting isn't it? Have you got a good joke to start?

 

[maxine]

I think the different types of brown envelopes would be good

You could highlight that anyone can call themselves an accountant... http://www.whatisanaccountant.co.uk/index.php

But an analogy that comes to mind for a womans group is that choosing an accountant can be a bit like choosing the right hand bag.... you want one that fits the need and occassion. No point having one of the countries leading VAT experts for a cupcake business turning over £1k a year (bit like taking your best prada to a camp site) Or having a family friend who started their AAT but didn't finish it looking after specialist industry accounts or payroll (like taking an asda bargain to a swanky night out).

It's one of the reasons I have set up www.find-me-an-accountant.com to help people find the right accountant for their particular needs, circumstances, industry, budget, location, software preferences etc.

Tax credits might be an area to mention as some accountants avoid these like the plague!

Some also have very particular software preferences that they want their clients to use.

Elaine (A member on here) has some stories etc on her blog

Good luck

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

Max - thanks for the mention

 

[weebly_one]

Thanks for the comments - I don't have a good joke to start with - anyone got a good bookkeeping joke?

I found a good blog from someone I follow on twitter@amyaccountant - she seems to talk alot of sense too mainly aimed at mumpreneurs which suite the group I am talking to.

I have fleshed out my talk in word now - just need to make sure I can talk confidently and come over well and not just read it from the paper - and stiick to my 5 minute of course!

I have thought of a tag line though - let me take care of your books so you can take care of your business

 

[weebly_one]

Max - thanks for the mention

It's funny, but I just took a look at your blog Elaine -and I had already included alot of the tips in your Tax Planning entry - so I feel I am barking up the right tree with my advice!

 

[weebly_one]

Thanks for the help - the talk went brilliantly - and although I felt nervous it didn't show!

What made me feel happiest was the Accountant at the meeting told me publicly how good my talk was and she totally agreed with all the points I made - and we have now arranged to meet so hopefully can develop a closer working relationship!

Yay!

 

[winton50]

Thats really good news.


Sounds like all your prep worked a treat.