julianshaw
Member Since: 27th Mar 2009
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Tax specialist background. Set up and ran tax advice service, managing a small team of tax advisers. Moved into web development - designing, programming and running websites - then software programming and development. Helped create Arithmo software.
Gradually shifted to marketing, both traditional and online. Have written extensively for websites such as MSN Money and other material. Part of the drive to introduce cloud accounting software, founder member of BASDA cloud group.
After years of working with and for accountants I had built up a wide range of experience and knowledge. This gave me a great view of how all the 'pieces' fit together. Once I realised there was nowhere that an accountancy practice could go to get support and advice on all the elements, making it happen was the next step.
So I created The Practice Hub. The aim is to offer a comprehensive range of services, but making sure everything works together.
Coupled an in-depth background in tax and accountancy with
startegic partnerships with only the best providers around, TPH offers a unique, value service for accountancy practices.
Specialties:
SaaS and Cloud computing systems, UK personal tax, accountancy, bookkeeping, software development (vb.net, visual basic, access) web design & programming (javascript, PHP, mySQL, ColdFusion, Flash, .asp), copywriting, marketing, brand development, e-media marketing (SEO, PPC), social media techniques.
My answers
excellent response
As usual, Mark's comments are bang on the money. Follow his advice and you won't go far wrong.
It's important to bear in mind that this is not the same as standard advertising. It's so specific that the usualy rules don't necessarily apply. The numbers of clicks is not as important as the conversion rate. If you get 50% conversion from 10 clicks, it's better than 1% from 100.
Couple of things I would add:
Bid on more obscure phrases. If you bid for, say "accountant manchester" it's going to cost a lot more than "accountancy help south manchester". But that's not even the main benefit. If someone searches for the latter, and you appear, they are far more likely to use your services. (Assuming you're an accountant who is covering south manchester.)
And make sure you keep an eye on the results. If a page is not getting you business, even if it gets lots of traffic, then change it - amend the landing page, make it easier to get in touch. Then check it again.
Hope this helps.
Julian Shaw
Arithmo
Speed
Interesting question, and one that seems to have two elements.
First of all, is data entry online more or less efficient than offline accounting software? Certainly there are differences, mainly surrounding data retention and transfer to the server. Generally though, these variations should not cause delays.
All three systems mentioned, plus the likes of FreeAgent, Liquid Accounts and, of course, Arithmo, allow for multiple entries. Data is then posted efficiently to the web server. As M says, it's difficult to make specific comment about whether this is better or worse for you.
The second element to the question appears be the general speed of online accounting software. Are SaaS systems up to the task? This is a very good, and very common question. I would say yes, but I may be a bit biased.
It's unlikely that any speed issues come from web servers themselves. In fact, quite the opposite may be the case as speed benefits come from the dedicated nature and architecture of the servers used.
But there are clearly doubts about the speed of the internet in general and browsers more specifically. It's a very good point for debate, and one we as developers must address.
Would use of the software be affected by slow browsers or internet connections? Probably. But as broadband speeds increase this is definitely becoming less of an issue. It has to be said that the very fact that online software has been designed specifically for use over the internet means it runs as quickly as possible. But then again, delays do happen.
Of course, and I admit it's a little trite to say so, who is to say that software running on an internal network would not suffer from speed issues?
It is early days, but there is a growing acceptance that speed is not the issue it could be. Should be an interesting debate though.
Julian Shaw
Arithmo Accounting Solutions
Keytime or Sage? Or Digita?
I've looked at many variations over the years...
Sage is good for a larger practice, and we found it very good on the client control side. But as is pointed out above, it can be promblematic when it comes to updates and the like. Also, when you want to increase numbers and the size of the database, our experience was it became very expensive for SQL licences etc.
Digita is excellent. Iris was really good when we checked it out, and we very nearly went with them but the way P11D benefits were dealt with was not quite how we wanted it. (Not wrong, but not right for us.)
Keytime's tax software is good for what it is, and won't work out as expensive as the others.
They all do the job very well but in different ways. As with most software, it's a question of checking them all out and seeing which fits best.
Julian Shaw
How about our system?
Arithmo has all the functions required above, and comes fully white-labelled as the practice's system. It's been designed for the end user, but has all the capabilities you'd expect, with full management facilities for the accountant. And it's pretty good value.
It's pretty new, so we don't have the coverage of our competitors, but it's worth a look. http://www.arithmo.co.uk/for_the_accountant.php
Julian Shaw
Lots of choice
There is a lot of choice for tax software, and from what I've seen, Keytime's is as good as any - great value too.
If you're looking for simple bookkeeping software that can work on a bureau basis, our client bookkeeping solution could do the trick.
Hope this helps.
Julian Shaw
Arithmo
A follow up
This is a follow up to my previous post. MarkLee above is right in what he is saying about adding to forums being very useful. We use the process for our accounting package.
I put my company name and a link at the bottom of my post, but the main idea is the be helpful. In the normal course of events I would not add another comment unless there was more to say later. The point is to get your name known and seen as genuine and strighforward. Everyone should win if it is done properly because the poster should only put relevant, useful advice or commentary, and gets a little bit of 'gentle' publicity from it.
You'll notice the link on the original post, and also the one above. This is for search engines really. It's not that important to get someone to click on it (although it's nice when someone does). When there is a search for a relevant term, Google for example, has to know that your site is relevant, and this is one way of letting it know.
Again, I hope this helps.
Julian
Google Local Search
Have a look at this http://www.google.com/local/add/analyticsSplashPage?gl=US&hl=en-US
You can register your practice for free, and it's pretty straightforward. Say your practice is in Basildon. When someone searches for "Accountants Basildon" all the registered accountants in Basildon should appear, including yours.
Hope this helps
Julian Shaw
Arithmo Online Accounting
HMRC take a hard line on this
Unfortunately, it appears HMRC are still taking the line that a stethoscope will be provided by the hospital.
Their take on it is, if the doctor wants to buy one for his or her own use then it becomes personal choice and s.198 no longer applies.
RCN subs are in list 3 still http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/list3/n.htm#4 and don't forget to claim Nursing Standard as well.