DEXT far superior to HUBDOC even though you have to pay to use it
IMO Hubdoc not fit for purpose unless you have say less that 20 receipts or purchase invoices a month per client
I've trialled them all and I still think DEXT is the best for functionality, not losing data and being quick.
If you have clients with hundreds of invoices a month the time saving using DEXT will more than outweigh any subscription cost
It's difficult at the beginning, takes time to get traction
Make sure your website is set up to convert clients (doesn't have to be expensive - can use FIVERR or people per hour can find great resources there)
Read alot about marketing
Have a google my business account (useful for people searching in you area for an accountant)
Make sure you ask for reviews
Tell all your friends and family and get them to ask their friends
Google ads - works for us but not something I would do immediately
Not sure why you couldn't estimate the time involved? In these instances I always estimate the time then double it and say to the client it could be as much as £x but we will try and keep it below this. Do you want us to proceed? We always come in under the max quoted.
Not sure what you do now. I probably would negotiate a discount.
I really think it should be renamed - 'Festival'??? Come on
Why oh why do people try and glamourize everything. By naming it festival ain't gonna make it anymore exciting!!
Personally I would go if I didn't have anything better to do and it was close just to see new developments in the industry, but come on the name 'festival of accounting' puts me right off!!
"Someone approached me last week via email asking if I can prepare their SA. They were immediatly blunt and very direct in their responses"
A lesson for the future. If you get a sense over the phone that this maybe a difficult client DONT take them on in the first place. I know it's difficult to do, but you have to learn to do it, better a little difficult conversation once than years of dealing with a PITA.
Festival! "a day or period of celebration, typically for religious reasons" - dictionary definition.
Me thinks this might be misnamed!! Hardly a celebration!! Maybe worth going though - from my view just to see any technological developments in our industry
We use Joiin, we have group clients with multiple companies on Zero.
Joiin does Xero consolidated reporting.
DO NOT have multiple companies on one ledger. This is a really daft idea and you will spend hours picking transactions apart for all the reasons explained above
Just let it go. This is part of being in business and in practice. It doesn't matter, don't get upset.
Even though you say you don't mind clients leaving it appears you actually do. If you don't think this was anything to do with your work then let it go.
Some clients can be very funny, but remember clients are not your friends, so the more unemotional the better
Put your energy into finding new clients
With regards to fees stick to what's in your engagement letter
Totally unacceptable, not fit for purpose service as mentioned many times on here.
I have too many examples to mention from being unable to get hold of HMRC on the phone to the completely illogical complicated online systems,
And someone on here mentions 'underfunding! - that made me laugh! right so we have the highest tax burden since WW2 and still nothing work in this country.
There needs to be a BIG change in politics in this country and maybe just maybe get some people in that can effect some change.
The governments answer is bring David Cameron back!! I despair!!
My answers
DEXT far superior to HUBDOC even though you have to pay to use it
IMO Hubdoc not fit for purpose unless you have say less that 20 receipts or purchase invoices a month per client
I've trialled them all and I still think DEXT is the best for functionality, not losing data and being quick.
If you have clients with hundreds of invoices a month the time saving using DEXT will more than outweigh any subscription cost
It's difficult at the beginning, takes time to get traction
Make sure your website is set up to convert clients (doesn't have to be expensive - can use FIVERR or people per hour can find great resources there)
Read alot about marketing
Have a google my business account (useful for people searching in you area for an accountant)
Make sure you ask for reviews
Tell all your friends and family and get them to ask their friends
Google ads - works for us but not something I would do immediately
It will take a couple of years to get traction
Not sure why you couldn't estimate the time involved? In these instances I always estimate the time then double it and say to the client it could be as much as £x but we will try and keep it below this. Do you want us to proceed? We always come in under the max quoted.
Not sure what you do now. I probably would negotiate a discount.
A lesson for the future!
I really think it should be renamed - 'Festival'??? Come on
Why oh why do people try and glamourize everything. By naming it festival ain't gonna make it anymore exciting!!
Personally I would go if I didn't have anything better to do and it was close just to see new developments in the industry, but come on the name 'festival of accounting' puts me right off!!
"Someone approached me last week via email asking if I can prepare their SA. They were immediatly blunt and very direct in their responses"
A lesson for the future. If you get a sense over the phone that this maybe a difficult client DONT take them on in the first place. I know it's difficult to do, but you have to learn to do it, better a little difficult conversation once than years of dealing with a PITA.
We've all done it at the beginning
Festival! "a day or period of celebration, typically for religious reasons" - dictionary definition.
Me thinks this might be misnamed!! Hardly a celebration!! Maybe worth going though - from my view just to see any technological developments in our industry
We use Joiin, we have group clients with multiple companies on Zero.
Joiin does Xero consolidated reporting.
DO NOT have multiple companies on one ledger. This is a really daft idea and you will spend hours picking transactions apart for all the reasons explained above
Just let it go. This is part of being in business and in practice. It doesn't matter, don't get upset.
Even though you say you don't mind clients leaving it appears you actually do. If you don't think this was anything to do with your work then let it go.
Some clients can be very funny, but remember clients are not your friends, so the more unemotional the better
Put your energy into finding new clients
With regards to fees stick to what's in your engagement letter
Oh Dear Oh Dear, lighten up.
I love christmas!
Merry Christmas and happy new year
Totally unacceptable, not fit for purpose service as mentioned many times on here.
I have too many examples to mention from being unable to get hold of HMRC on the phone to the completely illogical complicated online systems,
And someone on here mentions 'underfunding! - that made me laugh! right so we have the highest tax burden since WW2 and still nothing work in this country.
There needs to be a BIG change in politics in this country and maybe just maybe get some people in that can effect some change.
The governments answer is bring David Cameron back!! I despair!!