Accountants : would you use the services of a freelancer?

[clumsymum]

I'm looking for local work.

I have a degree in Business Studies and finance, can produce accounts up to balance sheet, so qualified above AAT standard. I've got 20 odd years experience in installing computerised accountancy systems in all sorts of businesses, and of training users. Over the last 6 months I've done 3 temp general accountancy jobs, I have a good knowledge of Sage Accounts, and I'm good at credit control (our own business for 10 years).

I want to continue to be self employed, to give me a bit more control over my hours (altho' I'm reliable for clients of course).

So I was thinking of canvassing local accountancy firms to see if they have any capacity to use my services on an occasional basis, or suggest I help out day-to-day for any of their clients. I can of course help with anyone implemnenting a computerised system foir the first time.

Do you think there is any work out there, will I be wasting my time?

?

all too busy today?

Dunno but I've been wondering along similar lines so bumping for you.

I thought I posted on this earlier, obviously not!
I am pretty sure that my practice wouldn't do something like this - but someone smaller or a sole practitioner needing to farm stuff out might?
What about looking at building up your own bookkeeping practice?

ChasingSquirrels,

I am looking at building up my own bookkeeping practice, thats the whole point. But I'm trying to target my marketing effort, rather than casting about like a headless chicken.

I'm not going to try the big accounting firms, I know they all employ juniors to do any basic stuff, but I thought smaller practices might have some stuff to farm out.

sorry, I read your message as if you were looking to do free-lance work for another practitioner, rather than having your own book-keeping practice.
For reference I work for a regional firm (8 partners, approx 60 staff) and we wouldn't.
If you are approaching practitioners I would go for sole traders or 2-person partnerships.
BUT I do think you would make more money going direct to businesses to do their bookkeeping 1 day a week/month/quarter (whatever they need).
To source this I would speak to as many people as possible about what you are doing - word of mouth may well win you a couple of jobs and then see where you go from there.
It may also be worth approaching local accountants to see if they would recommend (or at least suggest) you to their clients who need bookkeeping (we can't employ anyone who is able to do this on a salary such that clients will pay the chargeout rate needed).
I keep thinking about doing this myself, but my employer is really flexible and I like working there - so I just keep going.

Chasing...

Thanks, yes looking for referrals to clients is what I'd like ideally, but I guess I need to prove myself first.

You see, I'm good at the bookkeeping, a whizz with a PC, .... But it's the sales side I lack.

Used to be OK, but motherhood and a year in a wheelchair a bit back rather wrecked my confidence.

Look in your yellow pages, or Yell, pick out local firms without the big names (big 4 plus national), look at their websites and see how big they are. Go for those that don't have a website (likely to be small) or have 1/2/3 partners.
Send them a letter and a CV - list what you can do, and relevant recentish experience.
Say you are willing to do sub-contract stuff.
Follow them up with a phone call a few days later.
Not sure if I would say I wanted to build up my own bookkeeping practice (they might be doing that and might not want to encourage the competition).
See how that goes.
Meanwhile speak to everyone YOU know, does anyone have their own business and need bookeeping? They just might - or they might know someone who does, blah blah.
Look in the local press for part-time bookkeeping positions, and then approach them and see if you can seel yourself to them on a self-employed basis - probably less time but a better standard etc.
Good luck!

Thanks

I've been promising myself I'd go for this for about 8 months now, dh is tired of hearing me talk about it.

NOW is the time for ACTION.

(psyching myself up, you see )

i would.

cx

I'm guessing, hertsnessex, that you are no where near Nottingham?

Which is a shame.

no, im not, if i were i would use you though.

Thanks for the vote of confidence hertsnessex.

I'm working on my letter of intro. now

hope it goes well. i think there is a market for this sort of thing.