Mark Lee - all about accountants | 2009 November

Bookkeeping services and options

November 24, 2009

Tweet I’m aware that many accountants provide bookkeeping services for their clients. In some smaller firms this is all part of the service. In others it’s done more as a necessity when a client’s recordkeeping is based on the practice of ‘we throw all the papers into a bag or box and let the accountants sort it all out for us.” I think it’s fair to say that many people are confused as they are unaware that anyone can call themselves an accountant (or indeed a bookkeeper). So small business owners do not know whether [...]

Read Full Article →

“Added value” – what do you mean?

November 4, 2009

Tweet Many accountants and other service providers talk about providing “added value” to their clients. A friend of mine, Marcus Cauchi (who is a seller who trains selling not a trainer who teaches sales) makes the point that: “Added value” is only added value if the prospect acknowledges a real (or perceived) need for the particular aspect of the product/service. This is a key point. Each client (and prospective client) will have differing needs and priorities. Whilst some firms have a menu driven approach to services and fees, most adopt a standard approach. Thus [...]

Read Full Article →

“I doubt I’ll sell my practice when I retire”

November 2, 2009

Tweet A smaller practitioner shared this view with me recently. He is 60 and his current turnover is around £120k. He said to assume his net profits are around £80k pa. My friend had noted that were he to sell his practice he would be lucky to secure a capital sum of much more than £120k (being around once times his recurring fees). After paying 18% CGT, at current rates, he would be left with, at most, around £100k (and this might only be received over a 12-24 month period). If invested the annual income [...]

Read Full Article →

Is it worth the time it takes to learn how to use social media?

November 1, 2009

Tweet A lot of people choose not to explore social media as they don’t have the time. In effect they want to know if they will be able to identify a ROI for the time spent learning about and engaging with other people through online social media? In the same way as you might ask the question – Is it worthwhile trying to learn a foreign language? The analogy isn’t perfect – they never are. But I think it’s fair to suggest that you wouldn’t expect a good ROI if you spent time learning Chinese [...]

Read Full Article →

Bookkeeping services and options

“Added value” – what do you mean?

“I doubt I’ll sell my practice when I retire”

Contact details

Blog updates by email:

Recent Posts

Recent blog comments

Blog Archive

Blog Categories

Search blog