So you’ve been in the industry for quite some time and you most probably have done work such as preparing financial statements, analyzing the cost of everything from operations to projects, budgeting, and/or internal auditing for various companies or corporations. But what if you were to extend your services, not as an accountant working as an employee, but as an independent certified public accountant running your own business of helping other small businesses manage their accounting systems?
It may sound tricky at first, but with the high demand for accounting services in the market, you will never run out of clients ranging from government agencies to retailers. However, there are three basic things to consider when setting out on your own: your business plan, your marketing strategy, and your office requirements.
A Business Plan for Your Accounting Firm
Like any other business, your firm needs a vision, a mission to achieve your vision, goals, core values, a marketing strategy, estimated costs, and an identified niche in the market. All of these are essential because it will guide the operations, management, and administration of your company for the next three to five years.
Your Marketing Strategy
Building up a good reputation, on and offline, will help your accounting firm establish a good name in the market. With the Internet as an influential marketing tool nowadays, use this to your advantage by setting up and maintaining a website that will make you visible to potential customers. In addition, joining business associations and other networks is beneficial because it will give you more opportunities to sell your services.
Office Space and Staff Needs
While a shared office space is cost-efficient and ideal to save on operational costs, it is also important that your staff is able to work productively in an efficient environment. Since looking for the right office space takes time, make it effortless by finding the perfect one for your company online. Take, for example, the options of renting a Chicago office space here. You can determine what size and type of room is available and suitable for your new firm in just a matter of minutes.
Whether you are starting from scratch or buying an existing firm, your accounting firm will surely be a success with these tips in mind.