Bookkeeping business set up? Help?

kavcat

I am setting up a bookkeeping business and i was wondering if anyone could give me some information on what i need to do to get it off the ground. Also some tips on ads would be great?

Carlow/Kilkenny area is where i am in case you may think helping me would affect your business. I would be very greatful for any advice.

Thank you

kluivert

Register with the Revenue as an agent.

Advertise your services.

Get a filing system in place.

Good luck with the venture.

kavcat

Thanks a million.

Is it difficult to registrer with revenue as an agent?

aidan.connolly

Hi, To register as an agent only requires a letter to your local tax office. It does not get you any customers however, but if you get customers and become their agent, usually all documents, vat returns etc are sent to your address.

You should get yourself some sort of book keeping software e.g Tas 2 multi company which is easy enough to use.

Small notices in shops are one way of getting customers, and small adds in local free newspapers.

Good luck with it !

kluivert

I do some book keeping for mates of mine, number 1 rule, dont do work for friends or family, anyway, I just use excel for everything really.

Book Keeping Software is ok but not cost I would bare starting up.

aidan.connolly

Hi,

I use Excel myself for other reports, but for the purposes of Vat Audits etc it is good to have the Audit trail and other features available on a software package.

It's a personal choice

Regards

Aidan

abicus

Hello,

I have to agree that getting a software package would be a good way to go. I do all the bookkeeping for my family's two businesses and couldn't do it without it. Huge amount of time saved compared to using spreadsheets. Eg. automated double entry, entering supplier invoices etc. Big Red Book is a cheap alternative to Sage or Tas to start off with.

Saying that I couldn't survive without spreadsheets as well. Very handy for bank reconcilation etc.

Good Luck

JoeTurner

Cash flow will be important starting off - try and agree a monthly payment amount with all your clients instead of annual or half yearly. Monthly standing orders from clients will ensure your bank balance stays relatively healthy especially in the first year.

Even though it's difficult starting off, try and give realistic fee quotes to potential customers - don't give quotes that are too low in order to obtain a client, those jobs might only end up costing you time and money in the long run.

If you're buying an accounts package try and find one where you don't have to pay an extra licence fee each time you add a new client. I use Mamut and it allows me unlimited client databases.

Keep timesheets to see exactly how long you spend on each client / job. This will help you set prices going forward if you know a certain type of client takes so many hours a week or month.

Try and join a local business network - it'll help you get details of your business out there

Most of all, good luck with the new venture! Hope it works out for you.

Joe

Sugar Drunk

go for a package that will let you set up the multiple licences for companies and one that goes as far as profit and loss, balance sheet and trial balance. I know tas quickbooks and sage do I think the cheapest version of big red book doesnt and has a limited transaction number?