Before I share my list of seven beliefs, let me explain what led me to this position.
Most accountants who contact me are struggling in some way – even those who have achieved a degree of success. Their challenges vary, but I often find myself congratulating them for taking the first step towards change. I wish it wasn’t the case, but I know that for some, booking a call with me takes a degree of confidence and courage.
When we talk about what prompted them to reach out – whether a fresh challenge, a new opportunity or an accumulation of issues – I often help the accountant recognise the skills and experience that have brought them this far. They rarely need more technical knowledge. Instead, what they often need is guidance and support to refine their mindset, approach, and business strategies to move forward.
I have realised that there are seven key beliefs I help accountants strengthen as they build a practice that serves their ambitions as well as their clients.
1. Believe in yourself
No one else can do what YOU do in quite the same way. Your unique combination of experiences, style, and approach makes you perfectly qualified to serve your clients in a way no one else can replicate.
It’s easy to feel uncertain when comparing yourself to others in the profession, but confidence in your abilities is a game-changer (as long as it doesn’t spill over into arrogance). Trusting in your potential brings greater joy, satisfaction, and a clearer path to success and satisfaction.
I help the accountants I work with identify, recognise and embrace their strengths and rediscover their confidence, so they approach the future with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
2. Believe in your value
The value of the work YOU do and the service YOU provide to clients goes way beyond just collating data, ticking boxes and filing forms – the compliance work.
Clients choose YOU because of what YOU bring to the table – your insights, experience, style, approach, guidance, and ability to make their lives easier.
When you embrace the value of your expertise, you start to attract better clients as you see how clients rely on you for so much more than compliance work.
My approach and support help accountants uncover their unique value proposition and communicate it effectively. This shift empowers you to attract and retain clients who appreciate what you offer and are willing to pay the fees you deserve for doing the work you most enjoy.
3. Believe in your work
There’s long been a lot of noise about the impending ‘death of compliance work’. Maybe it will be true one day. But, I’ve been challenging such predictions since at least 2011. So let’s be real. Compliance work still isn’t going anywhere (yet). It’s evolving, yes, but the need for reliable, professional support remains strong.
Beyond the compliance work you may do to help clients satisfy their legal obligations, they also depend on YOU to advise them in this regard. Beyond this, there’s often huge potential for advisory work that can elevate your client relationships – though much depends here on the type of clients you attract and serve.
Together, if you want to do so, we can explore how you can transition from focusing on compliance work to providing more advice and winning more work from clients who want more than compliance support – without abandoning the vital work you already do so well.
4. Believe in your worth
Your fees shouldn’t be dictated by what everyone else is charging. You’re not a commodity. The value and service YOU provide is unique, and your fees should reflect that.
Competing on price alone often leads to frustration and burnout. This is especially common when your older (legacy) clients are paying less than your newer clients for a similar service but they are just as demanding and time consuming.
Instead of trying to compete on price, set and quote your fees by reference to the difference you make in your clients’ lives and businesses. My mentoring support and guidance can help you develop the confidence to charge what you’re worth, backed by clear strategies to communicate your value effectively.
5. Believe in selective growth
You’re not a start-up any more. You don’t need to pursue every opportunity or seek dozens of leads every week or month. You’ve learned that not every client is the right fit for your practice. Trying to serve everyone can dilute your effectiveness and diminish the fun and pleasure you get from running your practice.
Better to focus on winning clients who will genuinely value and appreciate your expertise. This typically means building stronger relationships and a more rewarding practice. Quality beats quantity every time. If we work together I will help you identify and focus on the types of clients who align with your values and vision, ensuring your practice grows in a way that feels right for you.
6. Believe in continual learning
No single book, course, webinar or programme will magically transform your practice overnight. Your success will instead follow when you consistently apply the right insights and make them your own.
Whether it’s improving systems, refining communication, or exploring new services, there’s always room for growth. I provide tailored guidance to help you focus on what matters most to your practice, saving you time and effort. Together, we’ll turn ideas into actionable plans that drive results.
7. Believe in fulfilment, not just figures
Success isn’t just about hitting revenue targets or growing the practice for growth’s sake.
Accountants also almost never secure success through posting loads of content online – even if this secures high numbers of views, impressions and engagement. Fantastic vanity metrics rarely translate directly to financial success for accountants.
True success invariably comes from building a practice that reflects your goals, values, and vision for the future.
When you prioritise fulfilment, you’ll find greater satisfaction in your work and life. My mentoring approach helps you align your business with your personal aspirations, so you can enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
The importance of having a sounding board
Working through these beliefs isn’t always easy. That’s where having someone to act as an objective sounding board can make all the difference. Whether it’s a mentor, coach, or trusted adviser; an external perspective helps you see things more clearly, make better decisions, and move forward with confidence.
As a specialist mentor for sole practitioner accountants, I provide supportive, pragmatic guidance tailored to your needs. If relevant, we’ll tackle these beliefs together, ensuring you have the clarity and confidence to achieve your goals.
If any of this resonates with you, feel free to book a call; there’s no charge, no obligation and no tricks!
