You Are Already Trusted. Now Become a Trusted Advisor.
Bookkeepers and accountants are at the forefront of advising SMBs. We are already trusted.
That’s inherent to what we do. Being the gatekeeper and all-knowing about their finances puts us naturally in a trusted role, so let’s take that off the table.
But the advisor role, what’s up with doing more than their books and filing taxes⁉️ What are advisory services?
Are you underestimating the value you can bring to your clients with the introduction of seemingly simple Cloud FinTech? Of helping them manage customer expectations? Accounting professionals who embrace technology can improve the lives of business owners with a few clicks of the mouse.
My husband and I are renovating a 100-year-old cabin. Well, okay, we aren’t actually renovating the cabin. My Dad is renovating, and I’m busy changing what I want him to do. And I’ve hired a few companies to do some of the work, including a painting company (just because you can do something does not mean you will – or should). His references were great, his work is marvellous, and his busy bees are very nice to have around. He gave me a quote, and we (they) started the work.
Of course, then I did that thing I do, that thing many clients do. I increased the scope of work. We’ve all seen this before, right!?
He did not send a new quote. And he did not ask for a deposit. Or progress invoice me. He’s here twice as long as planned (my cabin is the Hotel California of contractors) with a team and suppliers to pay. Are you feeling his pain? Cause I was.
Mike is like most SMB owners, and he’s doing what he does well – which isn’t likely to be running books! And he’s on that hamster wheel of finding customers and then making them happy, trying not to bug them about money. But Mike got a mighty quick lesson on cash flow and how to manage it. I started with a lecture about quote/invoice/deposit/re-quote/invoice; his bookkeeping firm sent for my painting right away (nicely done – now that’s service).
And then I found out he only takes cheques! Right⁉️ What the heck⁉️ You can bet he was introduced to Plooto right smartly.
Guess what’s next for him? Yup, I’m thinking Dext.
He thinks I’m a bit of a whiz. I’m letting him for now even though it’s the technology and the app visionaries and developers that are the real brains. They make us look great if you let them.
If you don’t think you can fill the role of advisor and elevate yourself from a data entry clerk or tax planner, think again. Advisory services don’t need to be complicated. And your clients can only benefit from those that know their businesses best. That’s likely you!
Stop overthinking. Start with one thing.
Pick off the seemingly small value adds you can bring to your clients, and your advisory services will grow from there.
Simply yours, Kellie :-}
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I sell cloud accounting templates, standard operating process handbooks and client guides.
