the small firm and solo practice

stepping aside from the grind takes discipline, but it’s vital.

by sandi leyva
the accountant’s accelerator

no matter what time of the year it is, it seems like there is never enough time for entrepreneurial accountants to get everything done. here are three not-so-common ideas on how to make the most of your time.

more on small-firm growth strategies: stop thinking small | 5 solutions when clients balk at price | keep more of your busy season earnings | want more clients? take these 5 steps | 5 skills to grow your practice | how a spreadsheet can help stop leaks | 5 cool ways to streamline data sharing | 9 ways accountants throw away profits | 7 ways to get new revenue from old clients | 9 ways to increase sales through ‘power networking’ | 8 must-haves for a prospect kit | if you’re a ‘best-kept secret’ cut it out! | take advantage of 4 key marketing strategies | four ways to stop leaving money on the table

1. promote yourself.
read more →

banish these 5 thought patterns.

by sandi leyva
the accountant’s accelerator

if you feel you should be doing better than you are in business, your unconscious may be holding you back.

more on small-firm growth strategies: 5 solutions when clients balk at price | stress less this tax season | want more clients? take these 5 steps | 5 skills to grow your practice | 5 ways to get more referrals | 3 ways to get to ‘yes’ with prospects | two daily rituals: focus and measure | 5 ways a deadline can help close a deal | 9 ways to increase sales through ‘power networking’

the first step is to bring it to the surface. only then can it be addressed, released and replaced with a belief that will lead you to increased success.

here are five of the most common thinking patterns or beliefs that will keep your accounting business from growing.
read more →

for busy season and year-round.

by sandi leyva
the accountant’s accelerator

no matter how small or large your practice is or how experienced you are, you’re probably going to meet some prospect or clients this busy season who are price-sensitive. many of you try to run from them as far away as possible, and others of you tell me you have to take these clients or you wouldn’t have a full practice.

more small-firm growth strategies for pro members (go pro here): stress less this tax season | 5 tax season motivation tips | keep more of your busy season earnings | make your services an investment, not an expense | 9 ways to boost your value (and your fees) | take advantage of 4 key marketing strategies  | four ways to stop leaving money on the table

so you might already have a solution to dealing with price-sensitive clients that you’re happy with. if you don’t, or are ready for more ideas, this post is for you.
read more →

6 profit-growing options besides the usual “lower costs, raise revenue.”

by sandi leyva

many accountants these days are anxious to hit the golden $100,000 mark this year. others are interested in growing their revenues steadily and incrementally. still others are focused on lowering costs, raising profits from that side of the equation.

more on small-firm growth strategies: ready for tax season? not so fast | make your services an investment, not an expense | want more clients? take these 5 steps | 5 skills to grow your practice | how a spreadsheet can help stop leaks | two daily rituals: focus and measure | if you don’t develop your business, who will? | 11 ways to add value for clients

all of these approaches are well and good to help you keep more of what you make, but there are far more options to grow your take-home dollars besides raising revenue and lowering costs.
read more →

cut costs, find more cash for the busy season.

by sandi leyva
the accountant’s accelerator

could you use a bit of extra cash each month? i think most people would say yes.

more on small-firm growth strategies: ready for tax season? not so fast | prospects like a little wooing | is it time to reboot your practice? | 9 ways to boost your value (and your fees) | 5 ways a deadline can help close a deal | draw new clients in like a magnet | busy season survival tips: 5 ways to turn a tough day into a great one

here are 19 tips to start your new year with a little more green in your pocket. read more →

need data by a certain date? make it clear what happens when you don’t get it … and what it costs.

by michelle long and sandi leyva
the ultimate accounting virtual conference

you’ve accepted a new client and now you have to communicate with that client and set the expectations. so we want to clarify and manage the expectations. we want to make sure we tell the client what information are they supposed to give to us and when, how and in what format. you need to tell the client “i need your receipts to be scanned and input into this folder by the 10^th work day of the month” or every week on thursday – whatever it is.

more small firm growth strategies: how to handle price sensitivity | how to handle referrals – and how not to | trashing the spreadsheet: best practices in modern expense management | how to find hidden money for your clients | why clients need dashboards | 3 ways to implement value pricing | how small firms can use value pricing | 3 ways to raise your prices | building reputation to build your business | 3 killer lead generation channels | your existing clients are your best leads | need more business? focus on referrals

so keep in mind when you get a new client you have to spend a little time with them up front training them. it’s like having a new puppy right? you have to train them initially, spend more time with them and hopefully they don’t potty all over the floor. so we have to train our clients, spend more time with them up front and give them very specific information. if you want them to scan and upload documents, then do a remote session and log in and show them how to do it and walk them through it how to do it.
read more →