3 Ways to Grow Your Accounting Business Post Tax Season

Now that the delayed tax season is mostly over for accountants and other business professionals, the real work is just beginning! I am referring to showing your clients they still need you to help make their businesses a success.

Obviously, doing taxes is an important component of your services, but now is the time to show how you can provide so much more. Here are three things you can do post-tax season to bring value to your customers.

1. Become an Industry Expert

The more you know about the specific industries your small business clients do business in, the more valuable you become to them. Now that the busy season is over, it’s a great time to learn more about these industries.

It doesn’t matter if your clients own B2B or B2C businesses, knowing how their industries function makes your accounting business indispensable throughout the year—not just at tax time. Industries are constantly changing, with new regulations being introduced frequently. But this year it’s more than that—everything is in flux.

Your clients may have had to pivot from brick-and-mortar sales to online only. Or they may still be dealing with remote employees living in other states. The more you know, the easier it is to help them navigate through the changes in their businesses, and the faster you’ll gain their loyalty.

As you acquire this new knowledge, you need to let clients know. Posting on social media is an effective way to do this. LinkedIn is a great platform for making B2B connections, so make sure you post regularly. Join industry groups on the platform and answer questions members may have about industry and market changes.

You can also create a reputation as an expert by “curating” and sharing interesting content from other sources relevant to your potential and current customers.

You can also “show off” your expertise by posing relevant content on your website, in your newsletters, via social media profiles, and through webinars or videos posted to your YouTube channel. Encourage viewers to reach out to you with their questions. The more you interact, the faster you’ll build your firm’s reputation as industry experts.

2. Connect Through Technology

There’s an app for just about anything you can think of, including apps to connect accounting professionals with their clients.

One way to use apps efficiently and effectively is to ask which apps your clients use in their businesses and then learn how you can employ the same apps giving you easier access to your clients’ financials so you can more easily offer advice and insight. Clients can control the specific information they want to be shared, so you can ensure them confidentiality is secure.

You can also create a custom app for your accounting business simply by using one of the many app developers on the market. App companies such as MyFirmsApp can help accounting firms develop custom apps with data collection capabilities from tracking mileage to saving receipts. You can also push out notifications and reminders to clients for approaching deadlines.

Make sure you check the app’s security system before you allow any access to sensitive client information. Have the app developer or your own tech expert regularly review coding to analyze for possible vulnerabilities.

3. Create Partnerships

The more services you can offer your clients, the more helpful you become to them. Instead of having to hunt down help for different aspects of their businesses, clients will appreciate your firm being a “one-stop-shop.”

Think of your firm as the Chief Financial Officer for your clients. What other services can you offer to make your company more valuable to them and help their businesses succeed?

Businesses are always on the hunt for other businesses they can work with. Help save them time by doing the vetting and creating a referral network of businesses, such as graphic designers, social media experts, attorneys, etc. you can recommend to your clients. Make sure the companies you are referring are also referring your accounting services to their clients. You can even offer discounts or other promotions to each other’s clients to sweeten the deal.

Better yet, look into partnering up with another company so you can provide extra services. CorpNet’s Partner Program can offer your clients business formation and corporate compliance services with everything from trademark search to business licenses to foreign qualification services.

You can sign up as a referral partner or offer the services to your clients under your accounting firm’s name and let CorpNet function as your silent partner. With CorpNet you’ll not only extend the value of your business, but you’ll also be adding new revenue streams. Find out how we can help you today!