How do you find bookkeeping services?

[prohaska]

I operate a small bookkeeping practice in the United Kingdom and have recently chosen to concentrate on the e-commerce sector. We now provide services to businesses retailing on platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy, specializing in installing applications compatible with Xero and QuickBooks to automate and monitor accounting practices. Our target demographic comprises small e-commerce startups that typically process up to 2,000 monthly orders.

Over the past two years, the number of accounting firms offering e-commerce services has significantly increased. However, it remains a specialized niche not universally provided by all firms. Despite this growth, we are experiencing a lack of inquiries from e-commerce businesses.


I have conversed with another firm that has expanded into the e-commerce domain in the last two years, and they similarly report lower-than-expected client inquiries. In my observations, word of mouth and referrals from accountants have proven to be our most valuable sources of leads, followed by Google searches. Our website's search engine optimization (SEO) is performing satisfactorily for general bookkeeping inquiries within our locality; however, we receive few inquiries from e-commerce businesses. We actively maintain a newsletter and utilize LinkedIn for outreach efforts. Thus, I am eager to inquire about those who own e-commerce businesses: What terms do you search for when seeking bookkeeping services, and where do you typically look? Would you contact your accountant directly or prefer to conduct a Google search? I would greatly appreciate any feedback.


Thank you!

 

[natalie]

The majority of e-commerce enterprises either employ an Accounts Receivable (AR) specialist with access to their website or utilize an integration of their e-commerce platform with their accounting system, or both scenarios occur. It is relatively uncommon to encounter alternative arrangements. Furthermore, when such arrangements are absent, individuals typically use Google Search to locate an accountant or seek referrals. Additionally, we have observed fulfillment partners managing certain aspects of Accounts Receivable. Our services extend beyond merely providing bookkeeping; they are invariably incorporated within the accounting firm or constitute a spin-off strategy for tax purposes.

If your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy is performing acceptably and you are inquiring about this matter, it may indicate that it is not performing effectively. For those targeting e-commerce companies, adopting a comprehensive geographical market strategy is advisable.

 

[adriel]

I operate an e-commerce startup and have recently engaged in a similar evaluation for accountants. It did not initially occur to me to seek out a specialized e-commerce accountant; however, during my preliminary discussions, it became evident whether they possessed familiarity with our business model. My approach to finding an accountant primarily relied on recommendations from my professional network.

I recognized that a Google search for accountants would yield thousands of results, with little means to differentiate or assess their qualifications. By obtaining a recommendation, I was provided with at least one positive signal to consider. Furthermore, geographic location was not a critical factor, further complicating the search process. In conclusion, recommendations were significantly more important to me than the accountant's specialization in e-commerce.

 

[prohaska]

I operate an e-commerce startup and have recently engaged in a similar evaluation for accountants. It did not initially occur to me to seek out a specialized e-commerce accountant; however, during my preliminary discussions, it became evident whether they possessed familiarity with our business model. My approach to finding an accountant primarily relied on recommendations from my professional network.

I recognized that a Google search for accountants would yield thousands of results, with little means to differentiate or assess their qualifications. By obtaining a recommendation, I was provided with at least one positive signal to consider. Furthermore, geographic location was not a critical factor, further complicating the search process. In conclusion, recommendations were significantly more important to me than the accountant's specialization in e-commerce.

I appreciate your assistance; it has been exceptionally beneficial. I had an inclination that this situation might be prevalent—that e-commerce owners do not perceive themselves as having distinct accounting requirements compared to other businesses. Why seek specialized solutions if one is unaware of one's specialized status? In such cases, individuals typically rely on their accountant.

Again, Thank you, and I wish you the best in your endeavors.