Client Onboarding - Keeper http://static.keeper.app Keeper - Software for Bookkeepers and Accountants Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:08:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 /wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cropped-Keeper-Favicon-32x32.png Client Onboarding - Keeper http://static.keeper.app 32 32 How Honeycomb Bookkeeping's Team Reclaims 30% of Their Time Each Month with Keeper https://keeper.app/customer-stories/how-honeycomb-bookkeepings-team-reclaims-30-of-their-time-each-month-with-keeper/ Thu, 13 Feb 2025 23:27:59 +0000 https://keeper.app/customer-stories// When Linda Spinale launched Honeycomb Bookkeeping in 2021,...

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When Linda Spinale launched Honeycomb Bookkeeping in 2021, she set out to provide two things: exceptional service to a handful of clients, and a better work-life balance for herself.

What she didn’t anticipate was how quickly her firm would grow. Within just four months, she hired her first employee, and soon, she was leading a fast-growing team. To maintain the high level of service her clients had come to expect, Linda knew she needed systems that could scale with them. That’s when she heard about Keeper.

Implementing Systems for Growth

Initially hesitant about adopting an entirely new platform right before the busy season, Linda was won over by Keeper’s Prepare 1099s Report. She found that it eliminated a notoriously painful part of the bookkeeping workflow by automatically excluding credit card spend from 1099 payments. But what started as a solution for 1099 season quickly evolved into a complete practice management overhaul.
With Keeper, the Honeycomb Bookkeeping team could now:

  • Track team progress in real-time, ensuring tasks were completed consistently without micromanagement.
  • Automate reporting and analytics, providing clients with tailored insights beyond standard financial statements.
  • Standardize onboarding, allowing for immediate client integration that makes way for efficient scaling.

A 30% Time Savings Per Client

With Keeper in place, Linda’s team saved approximately 30% of their time per client. This efficiency gain translated into significant firm-wide growth—Honeycomb Bookkeeping added three new bookkeepers and over 50 clients in just 18 months.

[Keeper] has transformed our firm into what I feel is a truly legitimate business... My bookkeepers can handle more, and I feel very strongly that Keeper has allowed us to become the firm that we are.

Curious to see what Keeper can do for your practice? Book a personalized demo today.

 

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Earmark Expo - Keeper: Transforming Client Communication in Accounting https://keeper.app/blog/earmark-expo-keeper-transforming-client-communication-in-accounting/ https://keeper.app/blog/earmark-expo-keeper-transforming-client-communication-in-accounting/#respond Mon, 03 Feb 2025 23:07:54 +0000 https://keeper.app/blog// Transforming Client Communication in Accounting Ever get stuck...

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Transforming Client Communication in Accounting

Ever get stuck waiting on missing receipts or scrambling to reconcile uncategorized transactions at month’s end? Most accounting professionals have been there, juggling multiple apps, and sending clients endless follow-up emails. But what if a single, integrated tool could streamline every stage of your monthly close—from task management to real-time collaboration with clients?

In a recent Earmark Expo, Andy from Keeper demonstrated how one cloud-based practice management platform can tackle the monthly close in a streamlined, client-friendly way.

1. Streamlined Task and Project Management

A smooth month-end close starts with effective planning. Instead of juggling spreadsheets or generic project tools, Keeper lets you create recurring monthly tasks alongside ad-hoc projects (e.g., onboarding, payroll processing, sales tax). You can:

  • Set Custom Frequencies: Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly tasks with specific due dates.
  • Create Checklists & SOPs: Store all the instructions, links, and passwords your team needs.
  • View Firm-Wide Progress: A central dashboard shows each client’s close status, from pre-close tasks to account reconciliations.

From an owner’s perspective, this holistic view helps ensure junior staff follow standardized procedures. No more scattered checklists; everything is tracked and auditable in one place.

2. Intelligent Review: Direct Ledger Integration

Keeper integrates with QuickBooks Online or Xero, analyzing the general ledger for anomalies and inconsistencies. It flags potential issues, such as:

  • Vendors with Inconsistent Categories: If a vendor was previously coded to “Software " but ended up in “Advertising " this month, the system notifies you.
  • Missing Payees or Transactions: Instantly spot missing or incomplete vendor info.
  • Auto-Added Bank Rules: Verify that automated rules are accurate, reducing errors.

Changes can be made from Keeper itself—no toggling between platforms. When you recode a transaction or add a vendor, it updates QuickBooks or Xero in real-time. This ensures everyone from the bookkeeper to the reviewer is working with up-to-date financials.

3. Consolidated Client Communication

If you dread sending 40 emails to a single client each month, modern platforms offer a better way. Keeper consolidates client questions—uncategorized expenses, missing statements, etc.—into a single, branded portal. When you’re ready, you notify the client.

“Rather than sending the client 40 messages throughout the month, we wait until all our questions are ready and then let them know they have new items,” explained Andy from Keeper.

Clients click a magic link—no password needed—and land in a portal with your firm’s branding. There, they see only the transactions or questions that need attention. They can respond by typing an explanation or uploading documents. Communication remains organized with a clear audit trail, so your team can finalize the books faster.

4. Proactive W-9 Collection & 1099 Prep

The year-end 1099 season can be a scramble when you haven’t collected W-9s in advance. Keeper automates the process by:

  • Tracking Thresholds: Once a vendor exceeds $600 of reportable spend, the system flags them.
  • Sending Branded W-9 Requests: Vendors get a link to fill out or upload their W-9 electronically.
  • Syncing Data: Submitted forms are attached to the vendor record in QuickBooks Online (or Xero).

By converting 1099 tracking into a recurring monthly task, you can avoid the January rush of incomplete or missing vendor details. Firms can even export data directly to a 1099-filing solution, turning W-9 collection into a year-round routine.

5. Receipt Management on Your Client's Terms

Receipts are one of the most common pain points in bookkeeping. Keeper’s receipt capture tools offer multiple ways for clients to submit documents:

  • Dedicated Phone Number for Texting: Clients can snap a picture and text it directly.
  • Magic Link Portal: They drag and drop files from a desktop or mobile device.
  • Email Upload: Optionally forward digital receipts to a dedicated inbox.

Once in the system, OCR technology extracts key data and either creates new transactions or matches receipts to existing ones. This eliminates redundant steps like re-keying or reconciling bank feed entries separately.

6. Additional Features: Time Tracking, KPIs, and More

Beyond communication and transaction reviews, Keeper offers tools to centralize your entire CAS practice:

  • Time Tracking & Budgeting: Set budgets per client or project. Track time with built-in timers.
  • Advanced Reporting & KPIs: Customize monthly financial reports with real-time variance analysis, graphs, and even non-financial metrics (e.g., headcount).
  • Inter-Company Transfers: For multi-entity clients, Keeper can sync due-to/due-from accounts across different QuickBooks or Xero files.

The result is a single source of truth for all monthly close tasks, collaboration, and data oversight.

A New Era of Month-End Efficiency

Platforms like Keeper reimagine not just client communication but the entire month-end process—reducing the back-and-forth between email threads, spreadsheets, and accounting files. From automated anomaly detection to text-based receipt collection, these solutions let accountants focus on higher-value advisory work.

Ready to streamline your month-end and client collaboration? Watch the complete Earmark Expo session featuring Keeper. You can also earn continuing professional education (CPE) credit for learning how integrated software simplifies your workflow—giving you time back to serve your clients at a higher level.

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The Blueprint for Attracting and Converting Bookkeeping Leads https://keeper.app/blog/bookkeeping-leads/ https://keeper.app/blog/bookkeeping-leads/#respond Wed, 29 Jan 2025 10:05:13 +0000 https://keeper.app/blog// Wondering how to get clients as a bookkeeper?...

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Wondering how to get clients as a bookkeeper? Or how to go from square one with initial marketing to establishing a strong base of satisfied clients?

Here’s an easy-to-follow lead generation strategy that gives you step-by-step tips on how to build your firm from the ground up.

How to Get Leads for a Bookkeeping Business

Consistently generating quality bookkeeping leads requires a strategic mix of industry research, networking, and marketing to attract new clients.

Ideally, lead generation will involve tapping into existing resources while experimenting with proven marketing techniques to build your client base.

With that said, here are seven bookkeeping lead generation strategies you can follow to drive qualified leads to your accounting firm.

1. Start with People You Know

The first phases of launching a bookkeeping business are often the most difficult. At this point, you have minimal credibility and momentum, and you’re simply looking to get the ball rolling with your marketing and lead generation.

Often the best way to gain initial traction is to leverage your current network of people you know, such as family, friends, and old classmates and colleagues. Because you have built-in rapport, many of these people will be willing to take a chance on you when a stranger may not.

And because many people need help with their finances, you may be surprised at how receptive they will be to any bookkeeping services.

Typically, the best way to go about this is with systematic outreach where you let people you’re still in contact with know that you’ve started an accounting business and that you’d love for them to become your bookkeeping client.

For those who you’ve lost touch with, spend some time reconnecting with them to rebuild some chemistry, and let them know that you’re searching for bookkeeping clients.

If all goes well, this can help you generate your very first accounting leads, with a decent percentage converting.

2. Pick an In-Demand Niche

Being a generalist bookkeeper where you work with clients across a variety of industries increases the size of your potential client pool. However, this makes it harder to stand out, which can make it trickier to generate quality leads and grow your bookkeeping business.

That’s why it often makes more sense to “niche down” with lead generation and place your focus on in-demand bookkeeping niches in the accounting industry. While you won’t likely have the same volume of potential clients, this can be beneficial for four main reasons.

  1. There’s less competition
  2. It’s easier to market your accounting services to prospects
  3. It’s easier to build trust with a business owner
  4. You can often earn higher rates because of your expertise

The key is to carefully research different industries and narrow it down to one or two that have high demand and that you’re knowledgeable and passionate about.

According to 2024 research, some of the most profitable industries were:

  • Real estate
  • Healthcare
  • Construction
  • E-commerce
  • Restaurant and hospitality
  • Non-profits

It’s important to perform your own research in this stage of lead generation, but these industries should serve as good starting points.

3. Ask for and Get Referrals

No matter how advanced your marketing efforts are, word-of-mouth referrals continue to be one of the best ways to generate high quality leads.

For perspective, of accounting firms surveyed, 80.9% said referrals were their main source of client leads.

pie graph for referal
Source: Bizink

Further, “leads generated from referrals boast a conversion rate 30% higher than those from other marketing avenues.”

This means you’ll want to make it a habit of asking for and getting referrals from your existing clients, as it can be a major contributing factor to the growth of your bookkeeping business.

But what’s the best way to go about getting client referrals?

First, focus on consistently offering excellent client service that goes above meeting expectations. That’s a precursor.

To get your first batch of client referrals, it’s usually best to reach out to your most satisfied clients.

Ask for referrals at strategic times, such as after a client is delighted with your service or after a project has been successfully completed. Timing is critical for 1) getting referrals and 2) ensuring bookkeeping clients speak highly of you.

Also, it’s important to make the referral process as simple as possible. For example, you would want to give clients a straightforward online form with only a handful of questions rather than a long-winded form that takes 10+ minutes to complete.

4. Publish Advice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

When it comes to accounting marketing channels, social media is one of the most tried and true. Bookkeepers who use social media see an average ROI of 250%, and it’s the perfect place to gain exposure while also building credibility.

In particular, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are some of the best networks for accounting lead generation, as they all have massive user bases and are perfect for professional networking.

While there are several ways to leverage these platforms, publishing free advice directed toward business owners is one of the best techniques because it organically grabs a user’s attention and gets them to engage without being pushy about it.

Some examples could include:

  • Strategies for organizing tax receipts
  • How to automate repetitive accounting tasks
  • A breakdown of different tax deductions

This allows you to provide valuable content to build initial rapport and get your foot in the door with a prospective client.

Once a person is comfortable with you and a base level of trust has been established, you can then point them to the next steps of the lead generation process where they can learn more about your accounting firm and become a potential customer.

From there, they can check out your services and officially hire you as their accountant.

5. Do a Local SEO Campaign

Would you believe that 97% of bookkeeping clients search online to find local accounting firms?

It’s true. Whether a client is looking to hire a remote bookkeeper or find someone in their local area, nearly all begin their research with a search engine.

To ensure your accounting firm gets in front of the largest percentage of users, it’s smart to launch a local SEO campaign for lead generation, which includes the following.

First, begin by claiming and optimizing your Google Business profile.

google business profile
Source: Google Business

It’s completely free, and you simply fill out your contact information, add photos, and link to your website. That alone can have a tangible impact on your search engine exposure within Google.

Next, tailor your bookkeeping website specifically for local clients.

Some strategies include incorporating your city and state names into website URLs, headers, and keywords. You may also want to create an “About Us” page that strategically targets local users by explaining where you’re located and highlighting your role within your community.

Also, be sure to create local-centric content on your blog and social platforms to pull in targeted local prospects in your area.

Of course, if you don’t have the time or feel comfortable using local SEO for client acquisition yourself, you can always hire SEO services and use their expertise for generating leads.

6. Run Search Engine Ads

Organic SEO where users find your business by optimizing content for search engines is an excellent way to generate quality leads. The only downside is that it typically takes three to six months to see tangible results, which can slow down your lead generation efforts.

If you’re looking to leverage search engines to generate accounting leads but want dramatically quicker results, running search engine ads is a great option.

For this strategy, you focus on targeted keywords to find your ideal client, concentrating on your niche and city. If, for instance, your main niche was real estate and you were located in Miami, you might run search engine ads for “Real estate bookkeeper in Miami.”

The goal here is to get your ads in front of exclusive leads, where a sizable percentage of prospects who click on your ads go on to convert and become clients.

Note that running search engine ads in the bookkeeping industry comes with a considerable cost of around $3 per click, which is higher than many other industries.

average ads cost
Source: LocaliQ

Therefore, it’s important to set a budget and use caution as you go through the learning curve. But once you get a feel for which ads are working and resulting in a solid ROI, you can steadily increase your budget to capture more accounting leads and optimize your sales funnel.

7. Launch an Email Marketing Campaign

When it comes to ROI, email marketing is hard to beat. Results vary, but on average, a lead generation company earns a staggering $36 for every $1 spent on email marketing.

roi of email marketing
Source: Litmus

The process is simple. Offer your audience incentives for signing up for your newsletter. Some ideas include free guides, checklists, and eBooks.

Once someone has subscribed and become a new lead, start by sending them a welcome email to introduce yourself and the specific bookkeeping services you offer.

Then, send a steady drip of email content with valuable insights, such as accounting tips, resources, case studies, and success stories.

Keep nurturing your list, gradually building trustworthiness until a lead is ready to become a client. Also, be sure to include well-placed calls-to-action so subscribers know exactly what action they should take (e.g. contacting you for a free consultation).

Get Keeper to Grow Your Bookkeeping Business

A big part of making your bookkeeping business reach its peak potential is using the right tools to streamline and automate. One particular platform that can help in nearly all aspects is a bookkeeping practice management software like Keeper.

Keeper integrates with both QuickBooks Online and Xero and helps you achieve seamless communication with clients and team members, automates file review, efficiently gathers W-9s and 1099s, produces in-depth financial reports, and much more.

Get a full overview of Keeper’s robust capabilities here.

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Finding Your Perfect Fit: 21 Bookkeeping Niches for Bigger Profits https://keeper.app/blog/bookkeeping-niches/ https://keeper.app/blog/bookkeeping-niches/#respond Tue, 28 Jan 2025 09:11:23 +0000 https://keeper.app/blog// Zeroing in on just a few bookkeeping niches...

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Zeroing in on just a few bookkeeping niches rather than multiple niches can increase your expertise and authority. In turn, this can translate into less competition, greater trust among clients, and in many cases, premium pricing for your accounting services.

It just boils down to choosing the right niche market with enough demand to match your unique skill set.

Factors for Picking a Good Bookkeeping Niche

First, an accounting niche should have enough demand to warrant outsourcing bookkeeping services. This is a necessary precursor to anything else.

You should be confident that there will be a genuine need among prospective clients to justify concentrating on a particular niche.

Next, the niche should be big enough that you can find a reasonable number of clients.

By default, you won’t have access to as many clients as you would if you were running a generalist bookkeeping business. But your market research should indicate a sizable number of clients to ensure it’s profitable.

Third, choose a bookkeeping niche that caters to your specific skills and background. For example, if you used to work in real estate and have a passion for it, that would likely be a good choice for your accounting practice.

Note that many Keeper customers mainly focus on the following niches:

  • eCommerce
  • Nonprofits
  • Real estate
  • Dental/orthodontics

While focusing on a specific industry that matches this criteria won’t necessarily guarantee success, it can be a lucrative niche for many bookkeepers.

With that said, here are our 21 top accounting niches.

1. Construction

The construction industry has a reputation for having strict, complicated accounting requirements. Companies need to understand things like subcontractor management, job costing, and capital gains tax, which is why many prefer to outsource.

That, combined with high demand and the need for specialized knowledge, sets the stage for higher accounting fees than many other industries. If you have the expertise, you can command top dollar for serving this specific niche in your bookkeeping business.

2. Real Estate Brokerages and Agents

As we mentioned before, real estate is one of the more popular niches that Keeper customers specialize in.

Like construction, there’s plenty of demand for professional accounting services for real estate brokerages and agents. And in many high-growth markets, demand is continually increasing.

Real estate also requires a high level of accounting expertise that many brokerages and agents lack, which means many feel more comfortable outsourcing to a niche accounting firm.

3. Real Estate Title Companies

This is one of the more complex and involved bookkeeping clients, where you need to have an understanding of things like property transfers and escrow accounts.

But if you’ve got the knowledge, real estate title companies can be one of the more profitable clients for a bookkeeper.

4. Fix and Flip Real Estate Investors

These clients have a different set of accounting needs than traditional real estate inventors. As a result, many require a highly specialized bookkeeping service.

As long as you partner with high-value investors who are bringing in large amounts of income from their flips, this can be an ideal client.

5. Restaurants

The restaurant industry is one of the biggest, with total sales exceeding $1 trillion in 2023.

From small mom-and-pops to large-scale chains, restaurants of all sizes need reliable, accurate bookkeeping, as it’s an integral part of effective business management.

Because of the extensive bookkeeping services list, this industry requires areas like food cost analysis and tips reporting, many restaurant owners prefer to outsource, which means there’s plenty of demand.

And with a high transaction volume, many accounting professionals stand to earn big profits from this chosen niche.

6. Janitorial Services

Compared to most of the other industries on this list, janitorial services is fairly straightforward with its accounting requirements.

That said, many of these clients lack the in-house expertise to handle accounting and would rather outsource it to a professional bookkeeper. This is especially true for a smaller business owner with a heavy workload.

Considering how ubiquitous this profession is, there’s a good chance you can produce a steady income from it.

7. Landscaping

While you should be aware that landscaping often has seasonal fluctuations because of the varying workload, it’s still a stable niche overall, with high demand throughout most of the country.

While larger companies often have an in-house bookkeeping team, many small businesses can benefit from the expertise of a bookkeeping firm.

8. eCommerce

The size of the eCommerce industry is staggering and had a value of $25.93 trillion in 2023. And with a CAGR of 18.9% from 2024 to 2030, it’s not slowing down.

With tax complexities common in eCommerce and a high demand for skilled bookkeepers, this type of niche client should be on the radar of many accountants.

9. Law Firms

This mainly applies to smaller law firms that lack an in-house accounting team.

Because of the large scale of this industry and the inherently complex nature of law firm reporting, it has high demand and often commands large profits. 1099 preparation is extremely important for law firms because they have so many vendors, and it can usually become important in litigation and their corresponding settlement talks.

10. Medical Doctors and Small Clinics

This also applies primarily to small-scale doctors and clinics, as opposed to large hospitals.

Financial reporting can be complex and requires a high level of accuracy. With medical doctors and small clinics in nearly every corner of the country, bookkeeping in this specific industry can yield high profits and plenty of business.

11. Optometrists

Insurance and Medicare don’t cover most of these services, so optometrists must run a smarter business than most medical practitioners.

This means that many seek the services of a professional bookkeeping business to handle their accounting software and manage their financial records.

Whether virtual bookkeeping or physical bookkeeping, the complexity involved with a potential client in this niche makes it potentially lucrative.

12. Dentists

Dentists are located in every nook and cranny of the country, generate consistent revenue, and most have a steady customer base. That, combined with the expertise it requires for dental-specific medical coding, means a bookkeeper can often charge a significant rate.

13. Veterinarians

The pet industry is a big one. It was valued at $320 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to around $500 billion by 2030.

When you consider the difficulties of managing accounting, especially for small veterinary offices, it’s easy to see why many turn to a bookkeeping service.

14. Software/SaaS

This industry has experienced monumental growth in recent years. In 2024, it was valued at $317 billion and has future projections of reaching over $1.2 trillion by 2032.

With this growth comes plenty of opportunities for specialization in software/SaaS. Because these companies often face challenges like reporting for subscriptions and customer churn and need robust accounting, it can be a profitable niche.

15. IT Companies

Like other areas of tech, the IT industry is experiencing rapid growth. And because of unique accounting needs like software development and managing remote employees, many seek the services of accounting firms.

While this can be a competitive field, there’s plenty of potential if you have strong expertise.

16. Engineering Firms

When it comes to revenue potential, engineering firms can be extremely high-value clients. Accountants have to navigate difficult revenue reporting rules and have a clear understanding of industry nuances.

If you have the skillset, you can bypass many competitors and partner with steady clients.

17. Marketing Agencies

Marketing agencies can have multiple forms of revenue, such as project-based deals, retainers, and bonuses. Because most are so focused on business growth, customer service, and landing new clients, they’re often quick to partner with an accounting firm to ensure accurate reporting.

18. HVAC Companies

These companies have a lot of moving parts, including service contracts, inventory, and employee payroll. Because of the inherent complexity, many prefer to outsource bookkeeping to a professional.

If you’re an accountant with plenty of expertise in this niche, you should be a frontrunner for winning their business.

19. Plumbers

The vast majority of small business plumbers lack a dedicated in-house accounting staff. This, combined with intricate reporting practices on service contracts, inventory, labor, and more, makes them a prime candidate for professional bookkeeping services.

And because plumbers are located in nearly every city and town, there should be no lack of potential customers.

20. Nonprofits and Churches

First, note that many nonprofits have sizable assets and incomes, so this isn’t pro bono work.

Offering bookkeeping services in this niche requires specialized knowledge. If you possess the right skill set, it should be fairly easy to win over these types of clients.

Not to mention, your work can have a meaningful impact.

22. Trucking Companies

This last niche idea applies specifically to trucking companies, not individual truckers.

Accounting can be incredibly complicated and requires reporting things like hours of service, truck maintenance, and fuel tax, making it something many companies would rather outsource.

Streamline Operations with Keeper

Regardless of the specialized niche you choose, it’s important to use the right bookkeeping practice management software to streamline operations and improve client service. One of the best platforms that assists in nearly every area of bookkeeping is Keeper.

It can be used to facilitate seamless communication with clients, perform comprehensive task management, automate file review, produce professional financial reports, and much more.

Keeper is also the first tool that integrates directly with QuickBooks Online and Xero to close the books in as little as half the time. Book your demo today.

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How Springstead Solutions closes the books 10 days faster with Keeper https://keeper.app/customer-stories/how-springstead-solutions-closes-the-books-10-days-faster-with-keeper/ Sun, 18 Aug 2024 21:06:11 +0000 https://keeper.app/?post_type=customer-story&p=215   Highlights Adopting Keeper helped Springstead Solutions transform...

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Highlights

  • Adopting Keeper helped Springstead Solutions transform their month-end close, cutting down turnaround times by 10 working days.
  • By transitioning to Keeper, the firm moved from tabbing through multiple platforms and manual tasks to focusing on scaling and improving the business.
  • With newfound efficiency and time, Springstead Solutions was able to onboard 3 new clients in their first month on Keeper.

Springstead’s start

Christina Springstead has had a lifelong knack for numbers. After taking an accounting class in high school and joining Business Professionals of America, it was clear which path she would take after graduation. However, after two semesters into her accounting degree, Christina pivoted to study sports management as she believed it would be more exciting. Ultimately, all roads led back to accounting as she launched her bookkeeping side business in tandem with her full-time career, to ensure she could provide for her daughter as a single mom.

In 2020, the time had come for Christina to focus all her efforts on running her bookkeeping business, Springstead Solutions. Simultaneously, COVID-19 presented a need for businesses to update and organize their books in order to apply for relief loans. Drawing from her experiences in accounting, management of a brick-and-mortar business, and participation in the Profit First program (PFP), Christina identified the true impact disorganized accounting systems had on small businesses.

 

“So many businesses’ books were messy, which led to them making bad business decisions. That’s where I found my passion.”

 

Flipping through tabs to complete the month-end close

That passion was recognized and appreciated by a growing book of clients, which brought with it a need for an additional employee and new processes. As a self-proclaimed “deep-dive software user,” Christina was not afraid to test out tools to organize her practice. At first, she relied on a workflow platform to track daily tasks, QuickBooks Online to manage and reconcile accounts, a spreadsheet to review the monthly close process, and Keeper for final quality-control checks. These spread out procedures caused Springstead Solution’s rapid growth to seem daunting rather than exciting.

“Before diving into Keeper, our process was made up of many changing systems and a lot of wasted time flipping between tabs and tools, with no single source of truth for oversight of operations,” said Christina. “We were always running into the new month scrambling to get things done and books closed out.”

 

Closing the books 10 days faster with Keeper

After scheduling a call with Keeper to answer some lingering feature-related questions, Christina took the initiative to coordinate a collaborative work group with her Customer Success Manager and her fellow PFP peers to determine the best use of Keeper for bookkeeping firms. As a result of those interactions, she made use of what she learned throughout those weeks in order to do her own software “deep-dive,” and was amazed by the results.

“I built out 20 different templates based on our work strategies. I tested, retested, and tested them again. It worked, and the transformation was overnight. From the moment I showed it to my staff, I had more hope in my business than I had in months,” said Christina. “With the ease of Keeper, I actually had oversight of what was happening for all of my clients.”

Springstead Solutions found a powerful way to condense their month-end close process, all in Keeper. And more than cutting down on extra clicks each day, Keeper reduced the actual time spent closing their clients’ books; to the tune of roughly 10 working days per month.

 

“When we started completing our month-end closes in Keeper, we had more than half of our client work finished by the 12th of the month. Previously, that was not the case – we would often spend up to the 25th of the month getting these tasks finished.”

 

Using Keeper to scale the practice

This newly freed up time was historically spent tracking specific client workflows and drudging through tedious and manual bookkeeping processes – while simultaneously researching, testing, and seeking out better systems. Now, Christina was fully invested in Keeper’s various tools, and decided to go further by switching and subscribing to Keeper Receipts.

Springstead Solutions’ tech stack was effectively and intuitively condensed. “I just need QuickBooks and Keeper – and almost minimally QuickBooks – at this point in time.” Christina recognized this as the perfect time to scale her business.

“With Keeper, we didn’t need more employees, but we could bring on more clients. The amount of time I’ve saved in the last five weeks has been so immense that my client success manager told me she needed more work to fill her plate,” said Christina.

Christina took advantage of this additional time by adding extra TLC to her website and business operations. She revamped her pricing calculator, updated her health check template, and held a few discovery calls with prospective clients.

I have been able to work on my business instead of in my business because I know the month-end close has been taken care of,” Christina said. “I was even able to move up a discovery call appointment because it was important to the prospective client. In my first 28 days on Keeper, I’ve been able to sign 3 new clients.

 

“Hands down, the best decision you will make is using Keeper to its full potential for streamlining your operations. I love it.”

 

Continuing the momentum

Springstead Solutions is just getting started, and the team is identifying new areas to scale and build out by leveraging Keeper to manage the practice. Looking ahead, Christina is eager to build out new financial tools, improve her branding, and engage in discovery calls with clients to find true alignment.

“I can now have a clear mind to actually go through and understand the work that needs to be done each month. Our books have always been clean, but now they’re sparkly clean.”

 

 

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Keeper helps a first-time bookkeeper get organized https://keeper.app/customer-stories/keeper-helps-a-first-time-bookkeeper-get-organized/ Mon, 05 Aug 2024 19:36:26 +0000 https://keeper.app/?post_type=customer-story&p=225   New beginnings Hannah always had a knack...

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New beginnings

Hannah always had a knack for business but never imagined herself owning her own firm just five years after graduating from university. In 2022, Hannah launched her own practice, Heinrich Bookkeeping Solutions.

Growing tired of the restless nights checking emails and the frantic searches trying to locate the correct document for the 10 clients she managed, Hannah decided to turn to industry peers for a solution.

Keeper Transaction Questions

 

Searching for peace of mind

In line with several recommendations from bookkeepers, Keeper turned out to be a game-changer. Hannah found that Keeper was “incredibly affordable and easy to set up.”

For Hannah, it only took a few days to notice the “strong response rate from my clients to the new Client Portal and how easy it was to stay organized.”

 

“The Client Portal took away the stress of sorting through emails and hunting down documents.”

 

Leveraging Keeper, Hannah could quickly locate the appropriate files, ensuring that her client interactions were smooth and professional. With Keeper in her corner, Hannah found a tool that streamlined her work, allowing her to focus on what mattered most – her clients. When asked about her business’ growth, Hannah shared that she “now feels empowered to take on more clients and continue to expand her practice.”

 

“Keeper helped me save time and money by consolidating multiple tools into one powerful productivity platform.”

 

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