Seven biggest challenges when growing your bookkeeping business – Challenge 3 – Systems

This is the third week in a series tackling some of the biggest challenges you are likely to encounter when growing your bookkeeping business. If you missed the first couple click here. The third challenge is Systems. As great bookkeepers everything you do is systematic. You know that it’s the only way of making sure that you get the job done right. We often hear bookkeepers say “They have a certain way of doing things but it’s not documented anywhere”. It’s very common for bookkeepers to make sure their client’s work is systematised but they fall short when it comes to their own business because they just don’t have the time. Michael E Gerber in the E-Myth Revisited says "Organize around business functions, not people. Build systems within each business function. Let systems run the business and people run the systems. People come and go but the systems remain constant".

And Brad Sugars, Action Coach, says "I always look to the system for a solution. If a challenge arises I use a system correction before I look for a people correction. I use a system solution in my innovation rather than a people solution. I follow the system exactly until a new system is introduced. I suggest system improvements at my first opportunity".

You not only need systems for how the bookkeeping is done, you need systems for Sales & Marketing and also recruiting not to mention admin processes as well. I know how overwhelming it can feel especially when your books are full. But I can promise you that you will only grow a world of pain if you don’t set aside the time to work ON your own business and create effective systems others can follow.

You know that though don’t you? Why is it then that you neglect them? Perhaps it’s because you prioritise everyone else’s business above your own? If you continue to do that you’ll end up burnt out and no good for anyone.