Setting up Accounting practice - where to begin?

[Ally1]

Hi. After some advice please. I am a qualified accountant (ACCA) and been eager to start my own practice for some time but only now started to put my plan into action. I have applied for the relevant certifications from ACCA.

Where do I begin with advertising and attracting clients? I don’t specialise in anything so would be a general accountant. I was considering CTA to specialise in tax but that will take me 2 years to complete so don’t want to wait until then before I start this.
I have about 4 years experience so not much so not sure if that’s a disadvantage.

Thanks!

 

[STDFR33]

Have you considered gaining more experience in practice before taking the plunge?

You may also get a better response on accountingweb.co.uk

 

[David Ballantyne]

Hi Ally,

I have recently started an accountancy practice. I have found that the most effective form of marketing so far to be going to networking events. Don't expect quick wins, this is about building relationships. Search online for business networking events and organisations in your area. Also, there are many free business start up training events run by local enterprise agencies where you can get training and can network.

Set up a full and complete LinkedIn profile and when you meet people at networking events, send them an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Post messages, write articles and comment on other people's posts to engage with your local business community and build relationships.

Also consider networking on Twitter and Facebook.

Tell everyone you know that you are starting an accountancy practice.

Get a website. A simple option is to set up a Google My Business listing. This will get your business formally listed on Google so that it shows up on local searches. Google will provide you with a free basic website based on the information you put into your My Business listing. You can change the look of the website and post content to it. Alternatively, have a website built, preferably on the Wordpress platform and learn how to edit the content.

Google Ads. Google has Adwords Express which is a simpler version of Google Ads. Google has free training on how to set up a Google Ads campaign, search for it online. You can also pay people to run Google Ads campaigns for you.

There are also paid referral websites such as Bark. You could also try sites such as Unbiased. There are others also.

Other options that I am not employing but which have been suggested to me are:
Contact other accountancy practices to see if they want to pass on or sub-contract work at busy times.
Buy a block of fees.
Telemarketing. Do it yourself or hire a telemarketing company, some specialise in the accountancy market.

That's all I can think of for now.

David.