Hi Sue,
The answer can be all of the above. You may choose to find one type of software (we all have different opinions as to the ones we like the best) and choose to specialise in just doing that. The advantage of this is you can specialise and attract clients that like that software type. You may also get commission / discounts / free training from the supplier.
On the other hand you may have clients that already work with a particular software type and want you to continue with that. It is up to you to decide whether the fee income you will earn from that client makes it worth you learning multiple systems.
You may also have clients who work with ledgers or excel spreadsheets. Are they doing the bookkeeping and expecting you just to do the financial statements or are you doing all of it? Depending what services they want from you can dictate whether you just accept the status quo or guide them onto software.
If you are new in practice it might be worth trying to be flexible until you have a few clients on board.
Some points you may like to remember in trying to decide:
- Cloud-based accounting software is usually charged as a subscription and that is paid per client not per bookkeeping practice, although some of the specialist software is the other way round.
- The move to Digital Tax Accounts (roll-out starting in 2018) will mean that all businesses will be required to keep their accounting records electronically and provide quarterly updates to HMRC. There will be free software available for smaller simpler businesses (no details what yet though). So even if clients are currently keeping paper-based or excel books they are going to have to make the move to some sort of accounting software in the next few years.
If you don't know what accounting software to choose the I would recommend attending the ICB summit. A range of software providers have stands and demonstration screens, so it is a really good way to try before you buy. Also your local branch meeting may have a speakers from the software providers, so it is worth looking out for any local presentations too.
Good luck with the practice,
Kathryn
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