| Being in business for yourself can sometimes be lonely | | | | but it also provides a great networking opportunity to |
| and solitary. If you are setting up a bookkeeping | | | | mix with others in similar situations as yourself. You |
| business, there may be days on end when you are | | | | never know who you might meet and you may find an |
| working in your home office on client work and do not | | | | accountant who needs a bookkeeper for a client, or a |
| have contact with anyone else. This is fine for some | | | | business person who is trying to do the bookkeeping |
| people, others may suddenly find they miss working in | | | | and you can promote your services. You may be able |
| a busy office environment. | | | | to offer advice and information to other bookkeepers |
| If you find yourself in this position, you can look at | | | | just starting out and share your knowledge. |
| ways of having contact with others, such as calling a | | | | You could also look at joining your local Chamber of |
| client and seeing how they are going. You could look | | | | Commerce and getting involved in business breakfasts |
| at your diary in advance and slot in a meeting with a | | | | or networking. Although these seem to take away |
| client or potential client in the middle of your solitary | | | | valuable client time, they provide good socialization and |
| periods to feel like you have contact with the outside | | | | networking opportunities and you never know who |
| world. | | | | you might meet at these meetings or who people |
| Professional development and staying up to date with | | | | have connections with. Also your valuable business |
| the bookkeeping industry is also important. All of a | | | | knowledge from a bookkeeping point of view can be |
| sudden instead of having a boss to sign you up for | | | | invaluable for others. |
| courses (and pay for them) you are responsible for | | | | It is important to connect with others in the industry and |
| your own career and education. You may also find, as | | | | maintain your professional development at the same |
| a member of a professional organization that you will | | | | time. your bookkeeping business will only be as good |
| be required to undergo professional development | | | | as you are and if you maintain your skills, you will be |
| hours as a requirement of membership. | | | | able to service a diverse range of clients for many |
| It is important to undertake professional development | | | | years to come. |
| to stay on top of changes in legislation and the industry | | | | |