Hi Steve. Thank you so much for this video. I am just starting my business and this has been something making me really nervous. I appreciate very much the way you fully explain things and break it all down because being new to this....it really makes it easier to understand. I am taking sooo many notes from your videos and I am sooo GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATIVE to you for all your help. I can easily see that you are a really humble and kind and honest person and that makes me respect and trust you a lot more. You are the only kind of person I would want to learn from since I have those same values. Love your videos!! Thank you. - Ronda
@@Bookkeeping_Life Yes and thank you for asking! I am still needing help understanding debits and credits, how they work (since they seem backwards) and how to record them. Also I live in California about 1 hour from Sacramento. I'm hearing bookkeepers say I should be charging $500 for basic bookkeeping, $1000 for 2nd level and $1500-$2000 for 3rd level services. (they say to create 3 tiers or packages). They are saying everything costs so much more in California and that's the rate for our area. I know you are in CA too...does this sound right and what do you think of tiers and packages. I would also appreciate knowing what services I would offer in each tier/level/package? I really, really appreciate you and all your help and videos! You are the first person I look for on UA-cam 🙂
Since you've been nice to me, here's an unlisted video on pricing. I recommend you check it out! ua-cam.com/video/f7Io4FvzDcQ/v-deo.html You might find my platform valuable, you can learn more about it here: www.BookkeepingLife.com
Been running my bookkeeping company for 3 years and it's so nice to have someone like you reaffirm that I'm seemingly doing these types of phone calls correctly. Great content, even for someone who isn't starting out. Thanks Steve!
I don’t. I just put it in an email about what I’ll do for what. Keep it simple. Engagement letter, if they’re required to sign, is a stopping point that will keep people from moving forward. Usually due to their procrastination. You want to keep things easy and moving.
@@Bookkeeping_Life So engagement agreement is kind of like a little contract between you and your client, correct? I guess you stayed what you going to do for this client in that email and they never have you do more work that you didn’t agree on? Thank you
Good to know! Last question and maybe a great content for another video, do recommend to upsell the services such as payroll, personal taxes for the business owner and increase our bill? Thank you!!!
Hi Steve, quick question regarding client documents if you don't mind. :) If a client gets a financial document in the mail they want to send you or something in their email inbox, e-receipt from a store or whatnot, what is the best way to have clients send that to you? Is email secure enough? Can they upload those docs directly to QBO? Is something like DropBox preferred? Or perhaps there's a video on your youtube channel that you could point me to that addresses this? Thanks so much! Your videos are all so helpful. Very much appreciated.
Hello, usually people just email me their stuff or dropbox. There are other more secure (supposedly) ways out there, services you can subscribe to that allow you to have them upload to a shared folder.
I love the encouragement you offer, thanks for that! What happens if you have a dinosaur who can't figure out how to scan etc. Obviously virtual bookkeeping is the best way to go but does anyway show up with a box of paper?
You can google the local competition, check out their websites, even call them and ask if it's not on the website. Also, when you start your own business and talk to potential clients, you'll learn real fast what amount work and which don't.
Hey, thank you for such a helpful video. What is the best way to work on a clients desktop company file from home? How do they send it to me and how do i get my work back to them. Have you used different options?
Does your Start Grow course teach you how to get started right away or would i need the Learn Start Grow? I'm looking for a map on how to get started and I'm most concerned with learning how to set up the business so it's virtual and I can work remote. I am not sure how to talk to a client and know what I need from them such as do they enter transactions into QBO such as sales activity or bills received and I do more backend stuff like paying taxes and creating financials. I'm sure it largely depends on the clients needs. Does your course offer a map for this?
Josh G. Hi. Yes, this page explains the packages, and if you scroll down on it, you can see a comparison. cf.bookkeepinglife.com/sales-page31763640 Just let me know if you have any questions.
Gregg H hi Gregg. I don’t because I use both desktop and online. I might in the years to come and I might if I was just starting out because of the cost of desktop. It’s an annoying cost each year but I do it because I have too many on desktop. But I’m leaning that way.
So i understant having a base fee for statements but how would your fee change when there are additions like cash receipts and fixed assets and accruals?
ndubstar it would go up :). Just have to determine how much work is there on an average month and charge something that makes you comfortable. Over time you build up an awareness to what things add what time, but until then you just take best guesses and learn from them.
New clients I always get a partial payment before I begin. It's a balance, because they're either new to hiring a bookkeeper or have had bad luck, so you have to balance getting covered, but also allowing them time to see you know what you're doing to build trust. So asking for 100% up front I feel is a bit much, so if I feel good about the person and the business seems stable and legit, I ask for 50% up front, then if it's online, I get the rest in stages, or if desktop version, I get the rest before turning over the file. QBO complicates things because they have the work as you're doing it. So you can't withhold the work until payment. Also depends on the size of the project as to how much I ask for up front, etc.
This was very helpful! Thank you Steve!
Thanks Jacob! Glad it was helpful!
Hi Steve. Thank you so much for this video. I am just starting my business and this has been something making me really nervous. I appreciate very much the way you fully explain things and break it all down because being new to this....it really makes it easier to understand. I am taking sooo many notes from your videos and I am sooo GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATIVE to you for all your help. I can easily see that you are a really humble and kind and honest person and that makes me respect and trust you a lot more. You are the only kind of person I would want to learn from since I have those same values. Love your videos!! Thank you. - Ronda
Thanks for saying that Ronda :). I'm planning on more videos in the very near future. Putting together a list and schedule as we speak!
Is there any topic or questions that you'd like more information on?
@@Bookkeeping_Life Yes and thank you for asking! I am still needing help understanding debits and credits, how they work (since they seem backwards) and how to record them. Also I live in California about 1 hour from Sacramento. I'm hearing bookkeepers say I should be charging $500 for basic bookkeeping, $1000 for 2nd level and $1500-$2000 for 3rd level services. (they say to create 3 tiers or packages). They are saying everything costs so much more in California and that's the rate for our area. I know you are in CA too...does this sound right and what do you think of tiers and packages.
I would also appreciate knowing what services I would offer in each tier/level/package?
I really, really appreciate you and all your help and videos! You are the first person I look for on UA-cam 🙂
Since you've been nice to me, here's an unlisted video on pricing. I recommend you check it out!
ua-cam.com/video/f7Io4FvzDcQ/v-deo.html
You might find my platform valuable, you can learn more about it here: www.BookkeepingLife.com
Been running my bookkeeping company for 3 years and it's so nice to have someone like you reaffirm that I'm seemingly doing these types of phone calls correctly. Great content, even for someone who isn't starting out. Thanks Steve!
Kevin Coryell thanks Kevin! Rock on!
Thank you so much for sharing this video...
Nice video!
Thanks!
Very useful tips
No engagement agreement?
I don’t. I just put it in an email about what I’ll do for what. Keep it simple.
Engagement letter, if they’re required to sign, is a stopping point that will keep people from moving forward. Usually due to their procrastination. You want to keep things easy and moving.
@@Bookkeeping_Life So engagement agreement is kind of like a little contract between you and your client, correct? I guess you stayed what you going to do for this client in that email and they never have you do more work that you didn’t agree on? Thank you
@@lanamarx5277 correct, it’s an agreement. It doesn’t have to be so formal. The more formal, the more of a roadblock to getting the client.
You always have great content. Thank you!
Tawanna Bryant thanks :)
I want to join
Hi!
Do you recommend to enter into a contract with your client, let's say for a year?
Thanks!
Jose Betancourt hello. No. I don’t do contracts. I tell the client: as long as you want to work with me and I want to work with you, we work together.
Good to know!
Last question and maybe a great content for another video, do recommend to upsell the services such as payroll, personal taxes for the business owner and increase our bill?
Thank you!!!
Jose Betancourt letting your clients know all the services that you provide is a good thing to do.
For a client that needs cleaned up, do you charge a specific amount for the clean up and a separate monthly amount to maintain the books?
Never mind, you answered it 👍
Hi Steve, quick question regarding client documents if you don't mind. :)
If a client gets a financial document in the mail they want to send you or something in their email inbox, e-receipt from a store or whatnot, what is the best way to have clients send that to you? Is email secure enough? Can they upload those docs directly to QBO? Is something like DropBox preferred?
Or perhaps there's a video on your youtube channel that you could point me to that addresses this?
Thanks so much! Your videos are all so helpful. Very much appreciated.
Hello, usually people just email me their stuff or dropbox. There are other more secure (supposedly) ways out there, services you can subscribe to that allow you to have them upload to a shared folder.
@@Bookkeeping_Life Thank you!
I love the encouragement you offer, thanks for that! What happens if you have a dinosaur who can't figure out how to scan etc. Obviously virtual bookkeeping is the best way to go but does anyway show up with a box of paper?
Nicole B thank you! You can adjust your fees to accommodate :)
How do you find out what other bookkeepers are charging?
You can google the local competition, check out their websites, even call them and ask if it's not on the website. Also, when you start your own business and talk to potential clients, you'll learn real fast what amount work and which don't.
Good content! Thanks!
Catalina
Hey, thank you for such a helpful video. What is the best way to work on a clients desktop company file from home? How do they send it to me and how do i get my work back to them. Have you used different options?
Hollie Gardner hello. In that case, through the use of backups.
@@Bookkeeping_Life if you ever have time to do a detailed video that would be awesome. Thanks
I'm looking to start bookkeeping in California. Does Cali require any license or certificate to run this business from your home?
Tasha Parent no
Does your Start Grow course teach you how to get started right away or would i need the Learn Start Grow? I'm looking for a map on how to get started and I'm most concerned with learning how to set up the business so it's virtual and I can work remote. I am not sure how to talk to a client and know what I need from them such as do they enter transactions into QBO such as sales activity or bills received and I do more backend stuff like paying taxes and creating financials. I'm sure it largely depends on the clients needs. Does your course offer a map for this?
Josh G. Hi Josh, if you don’t know QBO, I recommend the “Learn Start Grow” because it includes qbo training as well as everything else.
@@Bookkeeping_Life Thanks. Is there a way to send me an Outline of the Start Grow Course? I would like to see what it includes?
Josh G. Hi. Yes, this page explains the packages, and if you scroll down on it, you can see a comparison. cf.bookkeepinglife.com/sales-page31763640
Just let me know if you have any questions.
Do you require your ongoing clients to use QBO?
Gregg H hi Gregg. I don’t because I use both desktop and online. I might in the years to come and I might if I was just starting out because of the cost of desktop. It’s an annoying cost each year but I do it because I have too many on desktop. But I’m leaning that way.
@@Bookkeeping_Life Thanks. I haven't started my biz yet. I will only work with clients using QBO.
Hi i am use desktop version from last 8 years can you please provide your e-mail & website address for further discussion
So i understant having a base fee for statements but how would your fee change when there are additions like cash receipts and fixed assets and accruals?
ndubstar it would go up :). Just have to determine how much work is there on an average month and charge something that makes you comfortable. Over time you build up an awareness to what things add what time, but until then you just take best guesses and learn from them.
Is it possible to make $150k-$300k with a bookkeeping business in 5 years?
Taimur SK possible, yes
Do you get payment before you start work on the books or after? I'm concerned about getting payment for any services rendered. Jeff
New clients I always get a partial payment before I begin. It's a balance, because they're either new to hiring a bookkeeper or have had bad luck, so you have to balance getting covered, but also allowing them time to see you know what you're doing to build trust. So asking for 100% up front I feel is a bit much, so if I feel good about the person and the business seems stable and legit, I ask for 50% up front, then if it's online, I get the rest in stages, or if desktop version, I get the rest before turning over the file. QBO complicates things because they have the work as you're doing it. So you can't withhold the work until payment. Also depends on the size of the project as to how much I ask for up front, etc.