Free Bookkeeping Proposal Template That Will Drive You More Clients

Article reviewed for accuracy by Alexis Sadler, CEO Accounting Therapy Inc.

The lifeblood of every bookkeeping business is new clients. Without them, your business will stagnate, making scalability difficult.

Therefore, as the owner of a bookkeeping firm, you must always take steps to acquire new clients.

One of the things you need when trying to close prospects is a compelling proposal. A well-crafted proposal effectively showcases your expertise and the value you can provide to potential clients without overwhelming them with too much information. It increases your chances of winning new business.

So, if you desire to scale your bookkeeping business, you need a strong proposal.

Don’t know how to create one? We’ve got you covered. In this post, we share how to create a bookkeeping proposal, plus a template you can copy and use in your firm.

A bookkeeping proposal is important because:

• It allows you to demonstrate professionalism by presenting your services in an organized manner.
• It sets client expectations by outlining the scope of your services, pricing details, and any terms and conditions. This would minimize future conflicts and misunderstandings.
• It helps you communicate your value by giving potential clients a clear picture of your offerings and how your services can benefit them.
• It gives you an edge over competitors.
• It is often the deciding factor between closing a deal or losing it to a competitor.

Essential Components of a Bookkeeping Proposal

A typical proposal usually consists of the following:

a. Cover Page and Introduction

The cover page and introduction create the first impression and set the tone for the entire document. Because the cover page is the first thing potential customers see, make it visually appealing and attention-grabbing by using:

• A professional design and high-quality images/graphics
• An eye-catching title
• Branding elements like your logo and brand colors
• Consistent typography

The introduction is where you provide an elevator pitch of your business. Introduce your bookkeeping business with a brief overview of what you do.

b. Problem Statement

Then, touch on the potential client’s bookkeeping pain points and state how you can help them solve their problems to achieve their desired goals.

This section shows you paid attention to the client, are empathetic, and are committed to offering a customized (not generic) solution for them. This builds trust and differentiates your services.

c. Services Offered

Clearly outline the specific bookkeeping services you can provide. This may include accounts receivable and payable management, bank reconciliation, financial reporting, payroll processing, general ledger maintenance budgeting, and tax return preparation.

Be specific about your services and explain how they can benefit the client’s business.

This section is important as you can use it to effectively communicate the value and expertise you bring to potential clients.

d. Qualifications and Experience

Highlight your team’s qualifications and experience in the bookkeeping industry. Also, mention any relevant certifications, years of experience, and specializations you or your team have.

Doing this validates your capabilities and positions you as a qualified and trustworthy bookkeeping service provider.

e. Pricing and Payment Terms

Next, state your pricing structure. This can be an hourly rate, a flat fee, value-based, or a customized package based on the client’s needs. Be transparent about any additional charges or fees that may apply.

Don’t forget to specify payment terms, like due dates, late fees, and accepted payment methods.

f. General Terms and Conditions

Include any terms and conditions that apply to your business to protect you and the client. These terms include confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, scope of services, cancellation policies, and any other legal or contractual obligations.

g. Implementation Plan and Timeline

Make a note letting the prospect know you’ll develop a detailed and customized plan for implementing your bookkeeping services and the timeline for completion. This shows that you are organized and efficient.

h. Confidentiality and Security

Clients are more security conscious these days, so reassure them that you have measures in place to ensure the confidentiality and security of their sensitive information. Then, highlight some of these measures, like password protection, encryption protocols, data backup procedures, and any other security measures you have implemented to protect client data.

i. Call to Action (CTA)

End your proposal by including a clear CTA urging prospects to take the next step. It could be to reach out to you for further discussion, sign the contract, complete a form, or book a call.

Provide your contact information and encourage them to contact you if they need clarification. Remember, a compelling CTA increases your chances of converting the prospect to a paying customer.

Sign off with your name, title, and company name.

Bonus Tip

Proofread meticulously to ensure there are no grammatical or formatting errors. An error-riddled proposal is not a good look for your firm and could undermine your credibility.

Use spelling and grammar check tools like Grammarly to proofread. You can also have someone else on your team review the document.

Free Bookkeeping Proposal Template For You

Creating a proposal from scratch every time you want to send one to a prospective client is unrealistic. Not to mention, it’s a waste of time and effort.

Instead, it’s more efficient to use a template. Of course, you’ll need to customize them to align with each client and their requirements. But these templates serve as a great starting point and go a long way in streamlining the proposal creation process.

Below is a free template you can use.

What Next?

After closing the deal and winning new clients, ensure you live up to all the promises you made in the proposal. Deliver exceptional services that meet their needs and expectations. You can do this by having an organized onboarding process, communicating & collaborating with them well, and meeting all deadlines.

If you have multiple clients, you might find it difficult to manage all of them efficiently. That’s where Financial Cents comes in. We help bookkeeping firms get organized, manage client work, and never miss their deadlines.

Use Financial Cents to manage your bookkeeping firm.