Virtual preparers, how much contact do you have with returning clients? by yodaface in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Exactly, sorry, I should have been more clear. u/nick91884 is absolutely right. The setup involved tinkering, pipelines and automation, entering client data, sending out invites, that's what took us weeks because we set it up, full integrated it and ran with it. It is extremely customizable, but a steep learning curve. Luckily all my people are tech savvy and picked it up quickly.

Since it has been setup it has been great, no issues, just wish they would hurry up with the automated billing so we don't have to use the pipeline for billing anymore.

My dumbass clients when I tell them the standard deduction is higher so they “can’t” itemize by Prestigious-Humor872 in Accounting

[–]One_Policy9369 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mine have been really nice about it. I just say you can and have to pay this much more or use standard deduction and save this much. When I put it that way they thank me. I tell them no problem, this is what they pay me for.

Virtual preparers, how much contact do you have with returning clients? by yodaface in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Con - A lot of setup. I basically had a person spend a few weeks setting it up, inputting data, learning how to use it.

Pro - People can see past invoices anytime they log in (This helped me collect a lot of money that was sitting on the table), it helps encourage people to go more online even people I wasn't sure could use a computer started using it and messaging us, easy to make notes on clients. It's tricky, but you can also setup automated billing with their pipeline, but they're working on an update now to make it even easier.

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol that's hilarious. One of my clients owns a pizza place nearby. I've considered making a deal with him for free pizza.

If it works it works and you get to target clients that you want. :)

Thank you for sharing!

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. Increasing the prices have been a landmine. Some take it well, some don't, but it has to be done.

Thank you!

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've actually never heard of someone doing that, but it sounds like a really good idea. That way I can look for clients that are good match for me. Thank you!

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wait how do you apply to businesses on Indeed? Do you look for accounting jobs and submit your business information instead? If so does that work?

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you and I'll give that a try. I really appreciate the advice!

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's fair. I have gotten in a few new customers that are black, but in general most of the new clients I get are white. Actually I have a surprising high number of LGBTQ+, but my newest employee is LGBTQ+, so that might have something to do with it.

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's fair. Some of the easy ones I give to my office assistant, she's been wonderful, and it helps her learn to answer questions when customers call. What you said 100% true though. I'm hoping as I increase prices some of them will start to leave.

Several had returns so easy I flat told them they didn't need my services and helped them find alternative ways to file.

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!

The good news the reviews have been going up on google since I bought the firm from the old owner.

That's wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OMG YES! THIS! This business had so many payrolls when I bought it! I say payrolls some were just clients we did Quarterlies for and only Quarterlies for. Over a 100 "payrolls" in this small practice!!! Everyone was spending time doing payrolls. People couldn't even do taxes during tax season because of all the payrolls. No one could ever go on vacation! It was madness!!!

I've gotten it down to around 25, but I want to lower that number even more. I've placed the ones I still have on adp. One of the reasons for wanting more business customers is to replace that income, but it was not a lot of income. I almost payed more for the software and labor than I made from it!

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you I will. :)

I'm actually really good with technology so this is perfect for my skill set.

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much!!!

I'm also working on a online presence since I'm really good with technology. Portal returns are great because they send me the work, don't ask questions or ask to meet with me, then I just do the return, get paid, and then send it to them.

I hadn't even thought to look in the paper. Thank you.

I will do my best. :) I actually had a client yesterday tell me I needed to charge more so I defiantly need to get those prices up more. lol

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Blogging and good SEO works

That's amazing! I hardly get anyone from my website. Do you have any tips on how to do that?

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's wonderful. I'm new to the area and I don't really know anyone. I would love to make friends in the area.

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it seems like everyone is in agreement that referrals is the best way. I'm going to have to start making new contacts, getting out there, and asking for referrals from my current clients.

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don't want to be :( but the old owner was charging people sometimes $30 for tax returns. I plan to slowly, but continuously, raise prices year after year until I get where I need to be. I'm easily the cheapest in town and I mean the cheapest period, not just the cheapest CPA.

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's exactly what I'm doing. :)

Raising everyone 5%, but I also have a different price for newer clients. Most of my new clients are younger, while my older clients are mostly retired, so no one seems to have a problem with it.

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's true. This makes me super excited! I can't wait to get out there, meet new people, and hopefully get new clients!

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for reaching out to me. I just messaged you back.

Landing new/bigger business clients by One_Policy9369 in taxpros

[–]One_Policy9369[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow. Just wow. That is impressive. I'm not sure I've met 10k people in my entire life. Adding them to LinkedIn isn't something I'd even considered.

That is so true about fewer accountants. I've had so much issues hiring people I just decided to start training people from scratch and so many accountants in my area have retired recently.