A few questions about starting a home bookkeeping business
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I am currently looking at starting my own bookkeeping business from home. I will graduate in May of this year with my Bachelors in Accounting from Purdue University. I hope to sit my CPA pretty soon after that. I understand how accounting works obviously, but I've never used quickbooks before. I also am not too sure how to gain clients to start. Is that something Intuit CPE certification can aid with? I wasn't too sure. Also, I currently have a laptop PC and then a desktop iMac and a Macbook. Is the Mac version of QB just as efficient, or would the windows version be more beneficial? Ultimately, I would like to obtain several clients and continue bookkeeping at home to see if it's something I'd like to stick with. I'm just not too sure how to start or which version of QB to purchase? If I download the 30 day free trial, would that allow me to practice and learn my away around the program?
I'm open to any and all recommendations. Thank you ahead of time!
Allyson
Answer
I don't have a CPE certification and I'm getting clients. I'm doing through referrals from CPAs that know my work, from other people that know me and from online ads on Craigslist.org and Backpages.com. I also have a monthly newsletter which I send to bookkeeping clients, people who have called about my services and gatekeepers (people that know me well that may be able to refer me to their acquaintances). The newsletter (which has helpful tips and also plugs my business and has a coupon for new clients) is a way for me to keep my business in front of my contacts on a regular basis. I use Constant Contact for the newsletter.
Since a lot of MAcs now run PC applications, you may get away with just buying the PC version. Check out the QuickBooks products website to get more info.
Good luck!
Answer
Hi:
1.- I recommended you to get the QuickBooks Proadvisor Certification, not only is giving you the knowledge of software you need but also you are going to be posted in a list (referral program), and every person who is looking for a proadvisor in your area is going to contact you.
2.- The QB for windows is better than the one for Mac
3.- With the certification QB is going to send you all editions every year
I am a QB proadvisor with a Bachelor Degree in Business from South America and I working with QB since 1996. Now I teach QB at the college and I have a lot of happy recurrence clients.
Good Luck with your Business
Answer
Congrats on graduaing in May--that is a great accomplishment!
I made a quick video which gives an overview of the ProAdvisor Program and becoming a Certified QB ProAdvisor which I think will help you:
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=...
I'm also updating a course for Intuit Academy called 'How to Market Your Practice Using QuickBooks.' It should be available in early February as an online course (FREE) which will help you!
The vast majority of clients use windows and QB for Mac does NOT have a Premier Accountants edition. Yes, you can start to learn your way around in the trial version. However, once you join the ProAdvisor Program, there is additional training available for you.
PLEASE mark this answer as solved or post additional questions. Thanks so much!!!
Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBA
Author of the book "Successful QuickBooks Consulting: The Comprehensive Guide to Starting and Growing a QuickBooks Consulting Business"
National Trainer for Intuit Accountant Trainer/Writer Network
Advanced Certified ProAdvisor
Author of the book "Successful QuickBooks Consulting"
http://www.LongforSuccess.com
Linkedin Group: http://bit.ly/9e3RB
Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/1q72VW
Answer
I also have a Mac but I have VM Fusionware loaded on it and use QB Accountant's version on the windows side. The VM Fusionware costs about 90 but is well worth it. I also use this to run my ProSeries on. This is good if and when you start preparing tax returns.
Good Luck to you and congratulations on graduating!
Leslie
Answer
The course will actually be 'Effective Marketing for Accounting Professionals' and it should be available in a week or so at accountant.intuit.com/training. it is a FREE course and includes a course manual with lots of great info in it! There are a lot of other good courses there too!
PLEASE mark this answer as solved or post additional questions. Thanks so much!!!
Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBA
Author of the book "Successful QuickBooks Consulting: The Comprehensive Guide to Starting and Growing a QuickBooks Consulting Business"
National Trainer for Intuit Accountant Trainer/Writer Network
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Author of the book "Successful QuickBooks Consulting"
http://www.LongforSuccess.com
Linkedin Group: http://bit.ly/9e3RB
Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/1q72VW
Comment
Michelle,
I'm looking forward to the class. I enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing.