Quote:
Originally Posted by Argeo
Thanks for your response. I have been doing accounting for 15 years in a corporate environment. Been in tax the last four years doing C corp, partnerships, & Scorps. I just don't want to do tax anymore. The hours stink and the stress is more than I want at this stage in my life. Bookkeeping seems a better route for me because it is not seasonal but steady throughout the year as well as interesting without the liability related to doing taxes. I do not get a high reading tax code either. Don't mind making less.
Any suggestions? I was thinking I could maintain the books in Quickbooks (I'll get certified, need the CPE's anyhow), process AP and AR, provide payroll, Book/Tax reporting, and ad hoc reporting as desired. Stick with clients that are mostly cash basis. I need to read up on a few things but I think I have a solid foundation.
Thanks again.
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Ah... thought you were LOOKING for a bookkeeper, not thinking about becoming one. I don't know about where you are, but in AZ I've had a fairly easy time gathering new clients. Always wondered what business would be like if I really put some effor into it!
Yes, you will need to be a QuickBooks master. It's just how accounting is done for small business these days. I've been a Certified Pro Advisor through Intuit, and though it does give a bit of credibility, I've always felt it was way overpriced for what you get... the certification does include this year's and next year's accountant's version of QB so that alone is almost worth the price.
For me the key to building my business has been CPAs, referrals, the Chamber of Commerce, and Craigslist.
CPA's end up with small business tax clients who can't afford CPA firm staff rates for bookkeeping. Once the CPAs know you do good work they happily funnel their smaller clients to you. I'm the only bookkeeper in my local Chamber of Commerce. Doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out that many new small businesses rely on their COC for guidance. It's harder to get business from Craigslist than it used to be. Too many people there selling their services. But, a well written ad that's refreshed regularly will yield new clients. One of my largest clients came from a Craigslist ad.