Are you ever tempted to follow the apparent example of other accountants you see online or meet at events? There is...
Sole practitioners Articles
You left a large firm and started your own accounting practice. What next?
If you're a large firm refugee and you've been running your own accounting practice for a year or two, this might feel...
The real reason many sole practitioners feel overwhelmed
Many sole practitioner accountants think they're overwhelmed because they have too much work. Sometimes that's true. I know that there are absolutely some times when an accountants' workload is genuinely excessive and the only sensible response is to find ways to...
What can you do to stop sounding like a generic accountant (just like everyone else)
One of the more damaging assumptions people have about accountants is that you are largely interchangeable. To some extent we all understand why this belief persists; most accountants produce variations of the same outputs: accounts, tax returns, VAT work,...
When you don’t want more clients (at the moment)
I've never agreed with conventional wisdom that tells every sole practitioner they should always be looking to grow their practice. I've had too many conversations with accountants who have grown tired of such messages which just don't resonate. This can be for...
If you’re not growing, are you comfortable or coasting?
For years I’ve told marketing consultants, sales trainers and social media gurus not to bother trying to sell growth strategies to sole practitioner accountants without first finding out if they are likely to be interested. My reasoning is simply that many...
The reality of running your own practice that nobody really warns you about
Partners have each other. Sole practitioners have themselves. And, sometimes, they also involve their domestic partner, a close friend or family member. Accountants who were previously in partnership often feel a little isolated when they start their own firm. But...
Do you really need more clients, or just a better practice?
It still surprises many salespeople and advisers outside the profession that not every owner of an accountancy firm wants to continually grow their practice. In wider business circles, growth is treated as an unquestioned good. More clients, more turnover, more...
Has your ambition plateaued? And does it matter?
Here’s a conversation I’ve had more than once recently. An experienced sole practitioner describes a stable, well-run practice with decent fees, good clients and just about manageable stress. And then, as an aside, they admit it feels as though momentum has slowed....
A realistic LinkedIn strategy for UK accountants with limited time and who hate hype
One of the most common questions about Linkedin that I hear from accountants is along the lines of, how can they get real value from the time they spend on the site? One specific such question I was asked was: “How can I actually make LinkedIn work for me, without...
Why your marketing and website aren’t attracting the clients you really want
This is not a blog post about advisory vs compliance. Though, now I’ve said that, you may assume I’m about to wade into that debate. And I will — but only in passing. This post is really about your marketing messages and the related conversations you have. What you...
How to reduce overwhelm when running your own accountancy practice
I'm embarrassed to realise that I've not previously addressed the issue of 'overwhelm' specifically on this blog. That's quite an omission given how often it comes up in conversations with accountants. I'm also aware that a sense of overwhelm is what holds some...
25 things I’ve learned about accountants (that might surprise you)
As 2025 winds down, I’ve been reflecting on the insights I’ve gained from three main sources: Over 60 accountants I’ve interviewed for the Accountants' Success Secrets podcast Dozens of conversations with members of my online Sole Practice Club Hundreds of...
The hidden struggle behind sole practitioner success stories
You wouldn’t believe how many accountants I’ve met who think they’re “not good enough”. It doesn’t matter how qualified, experienced or respected they are. Impostor syndrome doesn’t discriminate. It sneaks in quietly. It shows up as self-doubt. And it tends to...
How’s business? – Don’t fall into the easy trap when you reply
If you’re either a busy accountant and/or a regular at networking events, you probably get asked this question (How's business?") all of the time. You may also be asked by friends and family, ex-colleagues and prospective clients as well as by suppliers, associates...
First impressions count but here’s proof that they’re not enough and what to do to fix things
Some years ago I enjoyed a very long private business networking lunch. The whole group seemed to enjoy the event - perhaps because many of us had known each other for a while . One of the attendees I had not met previously was a chartered surveyor. After we’d...
How to deliver advisory services for maximum success
'How to deliver advisory services for maximum success' is the sub-title of a superb new book for accountants that I read recently. I'll share the author and title later in this post. Let's just say that I wish I had written this book, as I am already recommending...