How Making Tax Digital is affecting the market place

We have had a significant increase in the number of enquiries from accountants looking to sell their accountancy practices before the start of making tax digital in 2018. February is a busy time of year for us because vendors do not want to have to do another January. This leads to a spate of enquiries and us marketing many practices …

Upping your game with existing clients

The most obvious way to increase your fee income is by targeting existing clients in the right way. Nicola Draper offers some words of advice. In my last article, I explained why practices that market themselves properly are the most profitable and command a higher price when the time comes to sell up. I also outlined good PR practices that …

Growing pains when growing your practice

I had a call this week from a sole practitioner in the North of England asking me what the ideal size would be for selling a tranche of fees. Selling a tranche of fees is quite a common request that we get at Draper Hinks. I asked him to explain why he was asking me that question. It turns out …

Downsizing your business

Is size everything when it comes to accountancy practices? Nicola Draper finds one man who thinks not. Is size everything when it comes to accountancy practices? Nicola Draper finds one man who thinks not. While everyone is talking about the importance of growth, is it always the right thing for your business? Downsizing tends to refer to people selling large …

How to write a press release

A good press release can generate positive PR for your firm It’s essential to make sure your release is well written and properly targeted Read on for the dos and don’ts of writing a good press release Nicola Draper unveils the secrets of crafting an effective press release that will get press coverage for your firm. Have a story as …

Marketing and brand building: It’s not rocket science

Practices that market themselves properly are more profitable This makes them easier to sell Generating press coverage is a good way to market your firm Read on for some top tips on how to do this Being proactive with simple marketing and PR can get new clients, keep existing ones happier and pay dividends, writes Nicola Draper. It’s amazing how …

Money management: Selling a practice

Without accurate financial data, you can’t sell your practice Vendors need to know how many clients the practice has and what their value is They should also be aware of how their fees can be broken down into GRF and one off fees Having motivated staff can also increase your practice’s value Before you buy or sell a practice or …

Gaining new clients: Specialise

Accountants often have a wide spread of clients across various business areas However, it can help for firms to specialise in niche areas Clients value accountants who understand their business area in detail It can also help to link up with firms that offer complimentary services Need more clients? Nicola Draper explains why it can pay for accountants to specialise …

How to win new business

The old adage that ‘people buy people first’ is true You’re far more likely to get new business from referrals than any other source Attending networking groups is a good way to generate referrals Learning how to network effectively is key to success Forget the Yellow Pages, the best way to find new clients is via referrals; but finding more …