As bookkeepers, we’re in the business of solving problems. But sometimes the biggest problem isn’t our clients’ messy books. It’s our own messy processes. I struggled with a client onboarding system that felt like it was stuck in the Stone Age, for years. Creating proposals and organising documents ate up hours of my week. It was exhausting and, frankly, embarrassing when clients had to wait days (or weeks) just to get started.
Then I discovered proposal software for bookkeepers and everything changed for better.
The Problem: A System That Was Holding Me Back
Before I found the right tool, my onboarding process was a disaster. Every proposal felt like reinventing the wheel. I’d either create engagement letters from scratch or tweak outdated templates that never quite met the client’s needs.
Once the proposal was ready, I’d email it over and wait. And wait. And wait some more. Clients are so busy, it wasn’t uncommon for days — or even weeks — to go by before I got a response. If I didn’t hear back, I’d have to hound them down. “Did you get my email?” became my catchphrase. (So much so that I even started asking in my dreams. My wife slapped me awake one night when I blurted it in my sleep. Guess she didn’t get my email either.)
Once the proposal was finally signed, I’d have to manually file it away, hoping I wouldn’t lose it in the abyss of my desktop folders. It was a time-sucking, soul-crushing cycle. I knew there had to be a better way.
The Solution: Proposal Software
I was sceptical at first — could proposal software really make that much of a difference? But within weeks it became clear that this wasn’t just a nice-to-have; it was a necessity. Here’s what it brought to the table.
§ Ready-to-Use Templates: No more starting from scratch. The software came with professional, customisable templates that I could tweak in minutes.
§ E-Signatures: Clients could sign proposals online with just a few clicks. No printing, no scanning, no mailing. Just instant approvals.
§ Automated Reminders: The software took over the awkward follow-ups. If a client hadn’t signed it sent them a gentle nudge so I didn’t have to.
§ Secure Storage: All signed proposals were stored in one place, making them easy to find whenever I needed them.
The Results: Faster Turnaround, Happier Clients
The impact was immediate. Here are a few results from my experience.
§ What used to take days now took hours. Clients could review and sign proposals in record time, which meant we could get started on their books sooner.
§ The pre-built templates eradicated mistakes, keeping my proposals professional and compliant.
§ Clients loved the speed and simplicity. One even joked, “I wish my lawyer were this quick.”
§ With less time spent on paperwork, I could focus on helping my clients and growing my business.
Why This Matters for Bookkeepers
If you’re a bookkeeper, you know time is your most valuable resource. Every minute you spend on admin is a minute you’re not spending on your clients or your business. Proposal software helps you:
§ Take on more clients without burning out or stretching yourself too thin.
§ Deliver a better experience to clients. Happy clients are loyal clients. And they’re more likely to refer you to others.
§ Focus on growing business.
The Takeaway
If you’re still relying on manual processes, it’s time to make a change. Proposal for bookkeepers is a necessity if you want to stay competitive. For me, it was game changer. It slashed my proposal turnaround time, impressed my clients, gave me back hours of my week and so forth.
Ready to transform your bookkeeping business? Explore software for bookkeepers and see how it can work for you. After all, life’s too short to spend it on boring stuff.