Client retention is a principle that is often overlooked or underestimated, but it’s vital for the healthy success of any business. If you are a small business or an independent accountant this can be especially true and critical. The smaller you are, the more important client retention will be for you.

Maintaining good client relations will mean profit in the long run and, surprisingly, bring you new business. We can help you spot trouble in retaining your own clients and help you form better habits for maximum client retention.

1. Assess Needs – From the earliest stages it is critically important to understand the needs of your client. You must resist the urge to assume you know what is best for them or to give them the same packages or options as other clients. Figure out individual needs first, then do what you can to meet them.
2. Get Personal – Taking some time to get to know your clients builds a more lasting relationship, and don’t forget to let them get to know you too. Share small snippets of your life and leave some time for small talk when possible. Let them see you’re a real person, and that you know they’re real people too.
3. Be Prompt – Create habits of fast response and punctuality. Respond to calls and emails as quickly as possible. If you make an appointment for a meeting or call, commit to it and be on time. You are creating a reliability that keeps your client trusting you.
4. Reward Loyalty – Rewarding clients who stick around is a great way to keep them sticking around. It fosters more enduring loyalty and will definitely be shared to attract new clients.
5. Check the Temperature – Frequently check the happiness and needs of your clients. This can be done via email, surveys, or regular phone calls to check in. Allow them opportunities to give you constructive feedback, and then do your best to make necessary changes.
6. Communicate – It’s important to keep your client posted on what you’re doing. Most Americans would say that they prefer to be informed about what services they are getting, so let them know when you make a decision for their business or get good news about a financial or legal matter that concerns them. When they feel like you’re honest and informative, they’ll stick around.

Can you see any weaknesses in your own business? Adopt as many of these habits as you can for your small business and soon your new clients will be lifelong assets. It’s time for you to become an Accountrepreneur.

Growth & Profit – the buzzwords to make any businessman start salivating. Growth and profit are the left and right hands of any successful business, yet they can be elusive or confusing. How do I create sustainable growth? Can I maximize my profits without changing my processes? How can I create a business plan that can get me where I want to go in a year or five years?

Or maybe you are a seasoned business expert, ready to move beyond the everyday administration of your company in favor of passing along vital knowledge and creating greater value. There is a huge need for business coaching and consultation – but not from just anyone. What businesses need now are Profit & Growth Experts.

What is a Growth & Profit Expert?

More than just a business coach or generic consultant, a Growth & Profit Expert is specifically trained and certified to provide greater value and increased profits for clients.

Profit & Growth Experts are businessmen and women who have learned a lot through their own experience and want to share it with others. They work side-by-side with clients to create plans for manageable growth, yearly goals, and profit increases.

A Profit & Growth Expert can offer services alongside normal bookkeeping or accounting, adding increased value to clients and increasing their own earnings through the advanced certification.

How To Become a Profit & Growth Experts

Becoming a Profit & Growth Expert is a fast, affordable, and easy way. You can become a Profit & Growth Expert without taking time off of work, without traveling, and without set class times. Universal Accounting offers Certified Value Builder Training completely online, at your own pace. The tuition involves a competitive payment plan and even scholarships.

Certified Value Builder training is only 16 hours of instruction – all on your own schedule.  You can complete it all from your couch on your own time, while continuing all your normal work activities. Becoming a Profit & Growth Expert can happen quickly, and as you offer your regular services to your clients. In turn, once certified, you can begin offering your clients more intensive Profit & Growth consulting that can change their business in a meaningful way. Simultaneously, your value increases as you become a Profit & Growth Expert.

If you’re ready to offer more, or looking for ways to increase your value to your clients or potential customers – it’s time to consider Certified Value Builder Training.

Your client pool is your lifeblood. Without a strong client pool your business will always operate under the stress of needing more. Instead, a strong and ever-growing client pool takes your business into the black with ferocity. Unfortunately, many small accounting or bookkeeping firms struggle to maintain and build a client pool that will meet their needs. Today we can show you some principles for building a strong client pool for your small business.

5 How To Build A Client Pool

1. Start With What You Have. If you fail to take care of the clients you have right now, your client pool may shrink to a puddle. Meet your client’s every need. Improve your service and ask what you can do better. It’s time to create a strong reputation. Give surveys and regularly check in with each of your clients for satisfaction guarantees.
2. Increase Referrals. Your existing client pool is your best source for new business. Their referrals carry more weight than any advertisements. Create incentives for your clients to refer their friends or to share information about your business. Of course, this only works if you’ve successfully tackled Step One. Simply enjoying the services you offer and trusting you is the best possible chance for referral.
3. Diversify. It can be risky to build a client pool of homogenous groups. Instead, use your current client pool to identify groups you are missing. You can target other types of entrepreneurs, small businesses, corporations, and more. That way economics, seasonal swings, or industry shifts can protect your business.
4. Increase Your Presence. Show up online, in print, in advertisements, and in community spaces. When you are more present, more potential clients have the opportunity to find you. Create social media accounts, consider online marketing, and place ads where possible. You may also consider volunteering with business organization or charities.
5. Treat All Equally. Small potential clients and big, old customers and new. Treating each individual with high potential and quality will help you build trust and attract new clients. Building your reputation is critical for building your client pool. Be willing to customize your approach for individuals.

Finally, none of these steps are quick fixes. They work best when you set aside time each week to dedicate to growing and retaining your client pool. If you are still struggling to grow a client pool for your accounting business, Universal Accounting School offers a guaranteed success path to a vital client pool and increased revenue.

As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to get some of your finances in order. You still have plenty of time until tax season, but closing out the year organized and ahead is critical for success, as well as helping ease the tax strain of spring. Today we’re sharing some of our most important accounting items to tackle before we enter 2018.

List of 5 End-of-Year Accounting To-Dos

1. Prep W2 and 1099 Tax Forms Early: Start preparing your payroll compliance documents for employees and contractors right away, and get them sent out no later than January 31^st. This will help keep your finances accounted for as well as keep you in compliance with the IRS.
2. Collect All Payments: If you have outstanding invoices, uncashed checks, or invoices not yet sent, now is the time to reissue or follow up. Make it a goal to close out all accounts receivable by the end of the year so you can begin preparing for tax season, as well as bringing in all your company deserves.
3. Assess Tax Preparation: Don’t wait until March to begin preparing for your income tax. Small businesses in particular can be hit hard by fines and taxes if they aren’t prepared. If you aren’t a seasoned tax professional, then find one to assist you – and quick. Avoid expensive surprises and take advantage of savings and incentives.
4. Financial Runway: How much money do you actually have? What are you financial goals for 2018? A shareholders or board meeting to prepare for 2018 can help you set the budget, prepare financial goals, plan for large purchases or hires, and just generally get everyone on the same page for the company’s future.
5. Top Good, Top Bad: Take this opportunity at the end of the year to take a look at 2017. Determine, with a team if necessary, your top “good” accomplishment and your top “bad” misstep or failure. How did they happen? What can you do to encourage or prevent them in the future? Does your plan for 2018 factor in these realities? Some reflection can really set up your accounting to succeed in 2018.

Finally, if you are feeling a little rusty, unfulfilled, overwhelmed, or looking to expand your accounting skills, consider setting accounting education goals for 2018 with Universal Accounting School. We can help you get where you want to go.