Accounting & Bookkeeping & Small Business Forum

[Guest]

Hi everyone. I've been a "blue-collar" worker all of my adult life, and now that I'm in my mid-thirties, I've realized that my body wants me to do something a little less demanding. I've always been interested in accounting but never did anything about it.

After having looked through the Universal Accounting site (including the forums), I have a few questions--questions that I would prefer to have answered by those who have taken the course, and not just by staff of Universal Accounting. In trying to be a "savvy" consumer, I have learned that what truly matters is what the customers say about the company, not what the company says about itself.

If I were to start a bookkeeping business, it would be from my own home--actually it's an apartment with an extra bedroom for an office. Is there anyone who has started a successful home-based bookkeeping service using ONLY the knowledge they gained from the Universal Accounting course? If so, how do you handle client meetings--do you go to them or do they visit your home? How do clients react when they find out you work out of a home office (which they WILL find out at some point)? For those of you who HAVE started a successful bookkeeping business using the Universal Accounting course, have any of you switched over to this business as your main source of income? How long did it take to accomplish the switch?

Those are all the questions I can think of for now. Please feel free to e-mail me with answers to these questions, as well as anything else you would like to pass on to me as a potential student of Universal Accounting. Also, to the staff at Universal Accounting, I'm not trying to be insulting to your company. I'm just trying to get some feedback from those who have had/still have a relationship with you. I mean, if I'm potentially going to spend upwards of a thousand dollars on something, I'm going to do a little homework first.

Sincerely,

Colin Williams
email: irish_gypsy@hotmail.com

[Guest]

Hi Colin--

I took the UAC course 13 years ago when it was still given by a live instructor. I had no accounting background or accounting training prior to taking the course. The course delivers what it promises: you will learn how to become a full charge bookkeeper, and will be able to start a bookkeeping service when you are finished with it.

For client meetings, I normally go to the client's business. Sometimes, but not often, they come to my home office, which is located in our detached and remodeled garage. I don't think a client has ever been turned off by this. Most people I've met don't seem to have a problem with it being a home-based business.

My husband also works, so my income is not our only source of income. I have no doubt that my business could support us fully if we needed it to, but I've always done it part time. We would just need to aquire enough clients to make it support my family.

The $1400 or so they charge for the course is a trivial compared to what you get. The course is easily worth ten times what they charge for it, it is *that* good. I'm not exaggerating. The skills you will aquire, if you use them, will stay with you for your whole life. There will always be a demand for good bookkeepers, and the demand is growing.

After taking the course, finding clients is the key. Some people have a harder time with it than others. For me it has never been a problem. If you want to succeed, you will. Having a service-oriented attitude is really the key to making it work. Make it about the clients and their needs. They will sense this and it will actually draw the good clients to you.

Good luck!

Jennifer

[Kieranz]

Hi Collin
Did you enrol on the course, if yes was it to your expectation, any particular problems or concerns. If no why? Was it the cost? I am also thinkg about it.

Rgds
Kieranz

[mscrabeck1]

Jennifer,

Since you taken the course about 13 years ago. How many clients do you have today?

How much do make an average per month?

Right now I am taking the bookkeeping and next week I will be taking the tax program. I am try to figure my future with bookkeeping and taxes.

Thanks,
Mike

[Roger]

I would suggest that you also listen to Scott Ivins story

http://www.universalaccounting.com/teleconference/bios/scott-ivins/

Roger

[Jennifer T]

Hi Mike!

I just came across your reply.

Quote: How many clients do you have today?

My story isn't typical. I took the course in 1992 and immediately started my business, part time only. I had 3-6 clients at any given time (not including tax-only clients), until the year 2000, when I decided to give it up to home school my kids full time (I have three children who were all very young back then and are now in high school).

Last year, we decided to put the kids in school, which freed me to start the business again from scratch. I worked on re-gaining my bookkeeping knowledge, my tax license, and I became certified in QB.

Since March 2005 I have acquired eight active clients, and have serviced that many on a temporary or one-time only basis. Again, it's part time only, since my kids need me when they get home from school (long story there--it's a hybrid homeschool/regular school program, they are actually at school only 2 days a week where they attend classes and get assignments. They are home the other times).

Quote: How much do make an average per month?

Months fluctuate. I charge $45 an hour. Today I made $326.25 because I worked 7.25 hours. Yesterday I made nothing because I didn't work! (At least, not with clients! ) So it varies. I generally work about 12-15 hours a week.

Quote: I am try to figure my future with bookkeeping and taxes.

It's all about service. Serve your customers, let them know you care and are there to serve them and their business. Knowledge + Service = Happy Customers!

Good luck!

[Jennifer T]

Hi again Mike,

You specifically asked how much I average per month. During the seven months of March 2005 - Sept. 2005, I have averaged $3119 per month. I was very busy over the summer, not only with my regular clients but with two temporary (diagnostic/training) clients. So when I say that I work 12-15 hours per week, that is right now, and by design. I really don't want to work any more at this time. I've turned away 5 potential clients since the beginning of Sept, so I know I could be more busy if I wanted.

I hope this helps.