As a tax professional, you’re in business to help your clients. You want to see them in the best possible tax situation they can be in. When your clients are small businesses, you know that you’re working hard to protect someone’s livelihood, and that you’re helping to fuel the great engine that is the backbone of the country’s economy. Working with small businesses can be challenging, at times. Small business owner tax records can be disorganized. They can be very busy, and reluctant to take … [Read more...]
Tax Blogs Can Help Your Tax Business
The world has changed. There was a time when all a tax business really needed to do was place an ad in the Yellow Pages, get those first few clients, and just sit back and watch the business roll in. Today, consumers are much less likely to open the yellow pages than they are to turn to the Internet when they’re looking for a service like tax preparation. That means your tax business needs to have a strong Internet presence. One of the best ways to boost that Internet presence, establish … [Read more...]
Top 6 Tax Business Mistakes
Running a tax business is like running any other business: one misstep and you can find yourself closing your doors for good. It’s not enough to be smart, to understand your trade, and to work hard; you’ve also got to make good business decisions, as well. One of the best ways to stay in business is to understand what pitfalls you might face and prepare for them. Here are some of the most common mistakes tax professionals make in business, and a little bit about what you can do to avoid … [Read more...]
Client Relationship Management Tips
Tax professionals know that the most important part of the year is between December and April. That’s when you’re the busiest; that’s also when you make most of your money. In fact, the business you do during tax season will, in some cases, need to carry you through the rest of the year. This is a challenge, of course. There are only so many hours in a day, and there are only so many clients you can handle and still give each the attention they deserve. If you’re smart about it, however, … [Read more...]
How to Target Your Market
Successful tax professionals build a business around a specific target market. While you might offer tax services to a wide variety of types of clients, the most effective tax preparers will hone in on specific types. That doesn’t mean you reject business that doesn’t fit your target market, of course; but it does mean you should spend some time defining that market properly, and devote your marketing resources learning how to target your market. There are several sorts of target markets you … [Read more...]
Value Added Tax Business Services
One of the basic truths about running a tax business is that you’re going to be busiest during tax season. The rest of the year, things can be slow, and if you’re planning on having a steady income you need to find other ways to bring in money. While some tax professionals can live off what they make during tax season, most of us like the comfort of a regular revenue stream. Creating that revenue stream means adding service offerings to your tax business. Here are some ideas for value-added … [Read more...]
Best Networking Groups for Accountants
Participating in a networking group can be a tremendous boon for an accountant. Not only will you find opportunities for partnerships and meet colleagues, but you’ll also hone your accounting skills and keep your knowledge current. Yet, finding the best networking groups can be a challenge. Some groups may have too broad a focus, while others may simply not have a presence in your area. Here are some of the best networking groups you should consider – both in terms of specific groups and in … [Read more...]
Dress Professionally to Close the Deal
Growing your tax business means closing sales, and that’s something that doesn’t happen by accident. Every decision you make when visiting a client or a potential client either increases or decreases the odds that you’ll close the sale. In today’s increasingly casual world, your professional dress can make a big difference in how you’re perceived. Here are some important principles to keep in mind when you look through your wardrobe in the morning that will help you dress professional and … [Read more...]
Pro’s and Con’s of Starting and Growing an Accounting and Tax Business
Whether you’re just entering your accounting career or reinventing a tired business, the road ahead can seem quite long. Starting and growing an accounting and tax business from the ground up (like building any other business) can take time and hard work. Finding those first few regular clients can be a daunting task, and many would-be entrepreneurs throw in the towel and go to work for someone else before it ever happens. Buying an Existing Business The alternative to starting and growing an … [Read more...]
3-Step Formula on How to Get Referrals
Last week I wrote about a magic three-step system for doubling your referrals. Why? Most tax business owners tell us that referrals are your single most important source of new clients. But, few of you make a point of asking for those referrals — effectively — and fewer still have systems in place for generating those all-important referred prospects. Since they still don’t teach how to get referrals in accountants continuing education, we’ll cover it here. Last week's article struck a … [Read more...]
