Freelancing as a Bookkeeper

[becky7676]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on the best way to start out as a freelance Bookkeeper?

I have just qualified with the ICB as a Bookkeeper and have a prectice licence, but a little daunted at going it alone.

Do you think anyone would be interested in me gaining work experience doing their bookkeeping for a few months at a low fee?

I feel confident that once I get going I will be fine but just finding the first few clients and keeping them until I gain the hands on experience of being a working Bookkeeper is worrying me!!

Any advice would be welcome!!

Rebecca

 

[Philip Hoyle]

Lots of different routes into getting the necessary experience to give you confidence.

1. Get a part time job as a book-keeper or accounts clerk in a local or small business - you'd probably be under supervision or at least work with the management (and maybe their accountant), so you wouldn't be on your own. Excellent for building up basic skills and confidence, and if it's part time, would still give you time to build up your own clients outside.

2. Offer to do sub-contracting work for local small accountancy practices - one man bands in particular often like having a few people to pass simple book-keeping work to, or maybe give your name to their clients who may engage you directly. Again, you're working under supervision which is good for building confidence and skills.

3. Just go it alone. Put ads in local shop windows, get a simple website, etc., and just be careful to take only small/simple clients that you know you can deal with (i.e. no or simple VAT, no employees, no CIS scheme, no ltd cos etc). Then when you're successfully doing some, be a little more bold and take on slightly harder jobs, i.e. a CIS or payroll client, or a ltd co, or whatever. Just constantly push your boundaries in a controlled manner and know when to pull back when you're out of your depth.

I don't really think offering discounts is a good idea. You have to be confident in what you're doing and only do what you can do properly. A client won't be impressed if you foul things up for him whether he's paid full price or not, and a lot of small business clients don't know enough about accounting themselves, so wouldn't know whether you're doing it right. They "buy" peace of mind by paying a professional to do their books - paying a bit less for a potentially dodgy job won't do it for them as they won't have that peace of mind.

 

Hi Becky

Another option is to volunteer to do bookkeeping for the PTA at the school, local Brownies, Rainbows or church. These clubs are often grateful for help and it is a way for you to gain experience and make contacts. You never know who else these people may know that have paying jobs for you.

We at Seahorse UK have helped many accountants and bookkeepers start up and grow their businesses so if you want an informal chat to talk through starting up, just let me know.

Kind regards

Zöe

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Hi Becky

Another option is to volunteer to do bookkeeping for the PTA at the school, local Brownies, Rainbows or church. These clubs are often grateful for help and it is a way for you to gain experience and make contacts. You never know who else these people may know that have paying jobs for you.

We at Seahorse UK have helped many accountants and bookkeepers start up and grow their businesses so if you want an informal chat to talk through starting up, just let me know.

Kind regards

Zöe

Dont offer to do too much FOC though - it gets very difficult once you get busy. I learnt that one the hard way a long time ago