Free Bookkeeping Proposal Template
Below is the sample template found in
- google doc [or]
- pdf [or]
- as a beautiful web proposal (visual example)
Dear [Client name],
I am writing to express our eagerness to support your financial journey through tailored accounting solutions at Your firm name. With 22 years of industry expertise, we are committed to delivering personalised strategies that drive efficiency, accuracy, and success.
Our client-centric approach ensures your needs remain our priority. We understand your business goals and craft customised strategies aligned with your vision for growth.
Explore our range of services—from bookkeeping to strategic consulting—and discover how we can add value to your business. We look forward to the opportunity to support you in achieving your financial objectives.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[Your firm Name]
[Contact email]
Services Offered
Our Comprehensive Bookkeeping bundle offers:
Bank Reconciliation: We meticulously reconcile your bank statements with your accounting records to ensure accuracy and identify any discrepancies. Simply provide us with your bank statements and transaction details.
Expense Tracking: We diligently track and categorise all your expenditures, providing organised expense reports for better financial management. Just submit your expense receipts and invoices.
Invoicing: We handle all aspects of invoicing, ensuring timely and accurate billing for your clients. Provide us with the necessary details for each invoice, and we'll take care of the rest.
Credit Control: We manage your credit control process, ensuring timely payments from your clients to maintain healthy cash flow. Provide us with your customer information and credit terms.
Supplier Payment Handling: We handle your supplier payments efficiently, ensuring timely payments while optimising cash flow. Simply provide us with supplier invoices and payment instructions.
Financial Reporting (Monthly): Receive comprehensive monthly financial reports providing valuable insights into your business's performance. All we need is your financial data, and we'll prepare detailed reports for your review.
Pricing
Recurring 400$ per month
Terms and Conditions
[Client name]
[Client address]
Dear [Client name]
We are pleased to confirm our understanding of the services we are to provide and the nature and limitations of the services.
Objective and Scope of Services
We will provide you with the services as noted in the “Service Summary”. Our services will be performed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
Delays
For any failure or delay in connection with their engagement caused by any event or cause outside the firm's control, the client will not hold the firm responsible. The firm's fees may reflect any additional cost that the firm incurs from such a delay. If the delay is substantial, the client may terminate the firm's appointment.
Resources
To deliver the best work, the firm may require access to the client's files, records, information technology systems, premises, and people. Other resources may be required to ensure timely approval, development, and sign-off of all project plans, specifications, accounts, and deliverables. The firm would require the client to provide them with reasonable access to these resources without charge.
Disbursements
In addition to the firm's fees, the client agrees to reimburse any other expense that it may incur in the course of rendering the services. These may include copying/printing, call costs, and travel (but will exclude any input tax credit that the firm is entitled to claim). Details of all applicable disbursements will be itemized on the firm's bills.
The firm will charge the client at the firm's standard billing rate if they are required to produce documents or attend any government department as a result of this appointment at proceedings to which they are not a party. This may include reasonable fees incurred in responding to such requests.
Client Responsibilities
You are responsible for the following:
- Providing us with all records, documentation, and other information necessary to perform the services.
- Designating a responsible party to oversee the engagement and communicate with us as necessary.
- Complying with all laws and regulations applicable to your business.
Fees and Billing Arrangements
Our fees for the services are described in the “Pricing” section of this agreement.
Any additional services requested by you will be subject to a separate engagement letter.
Intellectual Property
The firm will not acquire any ownership rights over any information the client provides them with. However, the client irrevocably grants to the firm a free worldwide license to use, copy, modify, adapt and exploit those deliverables, so long as doing so would not disclose any of the client's confidential information.
The processes, know-how, ideas, concepts, and techniques used and developed by the firm in the course of providing services to the client are confidential to the firm. The firm retains sole and exclusive rights to them.
The firm will also retain all copyright and other intellectual property rights in:
- Data, designs, models, methodologies, analysis frameworks, leading practices, specifications, and other elements of the deliverables which the firm owned or developed before, or independently from, this appointment; and
- All tools (and any enhancement, improvement, or other derivatives of those tools) including but not limited to any software that the firm uses, and working paper.
The firm will retain all interests in and rights to their working papers and other internal documents and information.
Confidentiality
The Parties understand that they are vulnerable to the sharing of information, or documentation, written or oral, that is considered confidential or unpublished in nature. Thus, by accepting this clause, the Parties agree to keep all confidential information obtained during this term of the Agreement as private without the written consent of the other Party, during and after the execution of this Agreement.
Complaints
We are committed to providing you with a high-quality service that is both efficient and effective. However, should there be any cause for complaint in relation to any aspect of our service, please contact us.We agree to look into any complaint carefully and promptly and do everything reasonable to try and resolve it.
Termination of Engagement
Either party may terminate this engagement upon [state the notice period, such as 30 days] written notice to the other party.
Our workpapers are our property and will be retained by us in accordance with our record retention policies.
Please indicate your agreement with the terms of this engagement by signing below and returning one copy of this letter to us.
Sincerely,
[Your firm name]
Download Free Bookkeeping Proposal Template
Sample Bookkeeping proposal template
In the rest of this article, let us explore strategies to create a bookkeeping proposal that showcases your expertise, targets client pain points, and ultimately secures high-paying clients for your business. We will see the step-by-step guide to writing bookkeeping proposals, along with the best proposal automation solutions.
P.S.:
If you are looking for a proposal and billing software - with Cone Proposal & Engagement letter Software, you can send professional proposals with engagement letters, receive e-signatures, payment information upfront and streamline billing and payments(Stripe, GoCardless) in a single platform at 8$ or 6.5£ per month.
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Why Do You Need A Bookkeeping Proposal?
Here’s a detailed look at why you need a bookkeeping proposal:
Clarity on Services: A proposal for bookkeeping services details everything the bookkeeper is going to do. This includes things like payroll services, financial report generation, bank statement reconciling, and income and expense tracking. The clearer the better for both you and the bookkeeper so there are no misunderstandings.
Building Trust: Making a professional presentation to ideal clients and having a forum where you present puts your attention on detail, professionalism and commitment to offering excellent services on display. Trust is important in any business but more so when dealing with sensitive financial data.
Clear Pricing: An accounting proposal will detail the pricing layout of how much the services will cost. The proposal can present an hourly rate, a fixed fee, or a monthly package. It's key to have clear pricing so clients know what they are getting for what they pay.
Also Read: Simplify your bookkeeping pricing with our free, downloadable bookkeeping pricing template for 2024! Read our article to access the template and create your pricing strategy today.
Defined Timeline: Every proposal includes estimating when the services will be delivered. This provides the client with an estimated completion date as well as any significant milestones along the way.
Professionalism and Confidence: A well written proposal is comprehensive and structured. It implies that the bookkeeper is serious about their job and willing to deliver excellent service. This professionalism convinces the client that they are hiring a competent and reliable bookkeeper.
Useful For Marketing: A proposal can also be used as a marketing tactic. It presents the bookkeeper's knowledge and services systematically, making it easier to pitch to potential clients during networking events or consultations.
Customized Solutions: A proposal allows the bookkeeper to personalize their services to meet the client's demands. Each firm has distinct needs, and a tailored proposal can address these directly, providing solutions that are most suited to the client's circumstances.
Essential components of a Bookkeeping Proposal Template
A bookkeeping proposal should have three C’s: Clear, Concise, and Compelling.
Here are the key components with examples to guide you:
Executive Summary
The executive summary is a quick overview of the entire proposal. A synopsis of the client's needs, your proposed solutions, and the perks of choosing you should all be included. Given that the client experiences this usually in the starting of the proposal, it has to be engaging and concise.
Example
At ABC, we provide top-quality bookkeeping offerings customized to meet your business needs. With over [X] years of experience, we deliver services like account reconciliation, financial reporting, tax preparation, and payroll management. We aim to assist you simplify your financial methods, ensuring the whole thing is accurate and compliant, so you can give attention to developing your business.
Introduction
The introduction presents your company and establishes credibility. It should showcase your experience, qualifications, and any unique selling features that set your services apart.
Example
ABC Bookkeeping Solutions provides tailored bookkeeping services to satisfy the unique demands of businesses like [Client Name]. With over 10 years of experience in this industry and a team of knowledgeable specialists, we have a proven track record of delivering accurate financial reporting and individualized support to our clients, ensuring their financial health and compliance.
Scope of Services
The scope of services section specifies exactly what services you will offer the client. It should be specific and detailed, covering all of the client's bookkeeping requirements.
Example
Our proposed services include:
- Monthly financial statement preparation
- Accounts payable and receivable management
- Bank reconciliations
- Payroll processing and tax reporting
- Quarterly financial reviews and annual audits preparation
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Customized financial reporting as per [Client Name]'s requirements
Methodology
The methodology section details how you plan to offer the services indicated in the scope. It describes the tools, software, and procedures that you employ to assure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
Example
ABC Bookkeeping Solutions uses industry-leading software and solutions like Cone to manage and streamline financial data. We begin by evaluating your current financial procedures. We then tailor our suite of services to meet your specific requirements.
Timeline
An accounting proposal’s timeline section outlines the major milestones and estimated completion dates expected for the project. It gives the clients a clear idea of the time frames during which certain activities will be done and also helps to set expectations as to when the project can be expected to be concluded altogether.
Example:
- Week 1-2: Initial consultation and assessment
- Week 3-4: Implementation of bookkeeping systems and processes
- Ongoing: Monthly financial reporting and review, quarterly tax preparations
- Annual: Year-end audit preparation and financial statement finalization
Pricing
The pricing section describes the cost structure of your services. It should be plain and simple, stating if you charge hourly rates, fixed costs, or offer custom pricing based on the scope of work.
Example
Here is our pricing structure for bookkeeping services:
- A monthly retainer fee of $X that covers all regular bookkeeping services.
- Additional hourly rates for specialized consulting or ad-hoc financial analysis as requested
- Costs for any third-party software or tools required specifically for your business needs
Terms and Conditions
Explanation:
The legal components of your proposal, such as payment terms, agreements on privacy, termination terms, and any other contractual tasks, are described in the terms and conditions or engagement letter section.
Example:
- Payment terms: After receipt, invoices must be paid within 30 days. Late payments may result in a %X late fee every month.
- secrecy: ABC Bookkeeping Solutions pledges to ensure full secrecy of all client financial information.
- Termination: Either party may terminate this agreement with [X days/weeks] written notice, provided all outstanding payments have been paid.
Establishing an open, trustworthy, and mutually beneficial cooperation is our aim. Kindly review these conditions thoroughly and get in touch with us if you have any inquiries.
Learn more about bookkeeping engagement letters. Also, top 7 engagement letter software to explore.
Conclusion
The conclusion explains the important aspects of your proposal and stresses why the client should choose your services. It frequently contains a call to action, which encourages the client to accept the proposal or schedule additional conversations.
Example
We appreciate your decision to choose ABC Bookkeeping Solutions. We are confident that our expertise, careful attention to detail, and outstanding quality will far exceed your expectations. We are delighted to work with you to improve the financial operations of the organization and ensure its long-term success. If you would like to talk about the next stages or if you have any queries, kindly contact us.
Attachments
Any extra supporting documentation you have that will help the client select you can be included in the attachment area.
Example:
- Client testimonials highlighting our successful partnerships
- Detailed resumes of our certified bookkeepers and financial advisors
- Sample financial reports and templates for your review
How To Write a Bookkeeping Proposal?
A bookkeeping proposal should be persuasive. It should entice the client's interest and capture their attention.
Here's a guide to help you create an effective proposal for bookkeeping services.
Step 1: Understand the client's requirements
Research the Client: Learn about their firm, industry, and special bookkeeping requirements.
Identify pain points: Understand their difficulties and how your services can help them.
Step 2: Gather information
Nature of work: Include a description of the services you will provide, such as payroll processing, handling accounts payable and receivable, preparing taxes, and maintaining financial records.
A schedule: Establish the duration of the project and any important completion dates.
Step 3: Start from a template
Start with a professional cover page that includes your business name and logo. Follow this with an executive summary that outlines your services and value proposition. Include detailed sections for your scope of services, pricing, and conditions. Then, include a clear call to action that encourages potential clients to contact you for further discussion. You can go through the above section to get examples for all these sections.
Step 4: Review and Revise
Proofread: Check for grammar and spelling errors.
Consistency: Make sure the format and tone remain consistent throughout the proposal.
comments: If possible, seek comments from a coworker or mentor.
Step 5: Presentation
Design: Use a professional layout and design to make your proposal visually appealing.
Delivery: Choose the best method to deliver your proposal, whether it's a PDF via email, a printed document, or a presentation.
Step 6: Follow-Up
Confirm Receipt: Follow up to ensure the client received your proposal.
Clarifications: Be available to answer any questions or provide additional information.
What To Include In Your Bookkeeping Proposal to Win New Clients
Target Their Pain Points: Don't just list services; show the real benefits. Explain how much time or money you can save them, or how much you can boost their sales or productivity.
Highlight Results, Not Just Features: Go beyond data and metrics. Craft client testimonials as mini-narratives. Let happy customers tell their stories of success with your services.
Get Creative with Visuals: Infographics are great, but use them strategically. Consider including original illustrations or data visualizations that directly tie to the client's industry.
Showcase Your Team: Feature team member achievements and awards. Highlight relevant certifications or recognitions that demonstrate their expertise.
Offer a Tailored Solution: Present a tiered pricing structure. You can also sweeten the deal by including a complimentary consultation after the project is awarded. Use this to further understand their goals and build rapport.
Guarantee Your Work: Consider offering a limited-time performance guarantee. This shows confidence in your abilities and reduces risk for the client.
Highlight Long-Term Benefits: Go beyond the immediate project. Briefly showcase how your services can contribute to their long-term growth strategy.
Offer Ongoing Support: Briefly outline your post-project support options. This demonstrates your commitment to their success.
Call to action: End the proposal with a direct call-to-action sentence. Tell your clients what you want them to do next, such as set up a meeting or sign the contract.
Package it Professionally: Don't just send a proposal for bookkeeping services pdf as an attachment. Think about implementing interactive and visually attractive proposal software.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing a Bookkeeping Proposal
Here are five common difficulties and ways to prevent them:
Lack of Customization
Mistake: Using a generic template without customizing it for the specific client.
Solution: Always adapt your proposal to the specific needs and pain points of each client. Personalize the text by including relevant data about the client's business and explaining how your services will deliver customized answers.
Ignoring Follow-Up
Mistake: Failing to follow up after sending the proposal.
Solution: Following up is critical for indicating your interest and dedication. After a few days of sending your proposal, send an email or call to follow up. You might ask if they received the proposal, if they have any questions, and offer to answer them. And, near the end of the call, express your enthusiasm about the idea of working together.
Overloading with Information
Mistake: Including too much information and making the proposal overly lengthy and complex.
Solution: Keep your proposal concise and focused. Just highlight the important information, and use bullet points for easier reading. Include only relevant information and eliminate jargon. Learn more about the 7 Steps to Writing a Stellar Business Proposal.
Inadequate Handling of Objections
Mistake: Failing to address the client's potential objections or concerns.
Solution: Anticipate frequent concerns and address them directly in your presentation. For example, if money is an issue, describe the value and ROI of your services.
Neglecting Proposal Software
Mistake: Relying on manual methods or generic templates for proposals can lead to inefficiencies and errors.
Solution: Invest in specialized proposal software like Cone to streamline proposal and engagement letter creation, ensure consistency, and enhance professionalism. Use professional templates and tools provided by the software to create appealing proposals.
Pro Tip: Bookkeepers need proposal software to create accurate, professional proposals quickly. But which software does this job perfectly? Check out this guide that educates you about the best proposal software for small businesses.
How and Why to use Cone Bookkeeping Proposal Template?
Well, it is purpose built for accounting and bookkeeping practices. It comes with the sections needed to send a proposal immediately.
Cone Proposal to Payment Software is designed to meet the diverse needs of accounting and bookkeeping professionals, helping them save time, improve accuracy, and enhance their client interactions.
Cone Proposal to Payment Software tackles several critical pain points faced by accounting and bookkeeping professionals. Here are several pain points addressed by Cone software:
- Eliminates Inefficiencies: Removes the need for manual proposal creation and reduces errors from email or PDF submissions.
- Extensive Customization: Allows for visually compelling and branded proposals with a flexible proposal editor.
- Improves Lead Management: Ensures timely follow-ups and reduces the risk of missed opportunities.
- Prevents Invoicing Oversights: Automates billing and payment collection, avoiding issues with missing invoices and late reminders.
- Consistent Pricing Strategies: Helps maintain accurate and professional pricing across proposals and contracts.
- Automates Contract Renewals: Manages contract renewals and pricing adjustments efficiently.
- Reduces High Software Costs: Combines proposal, invoicing, and payment functionalities into one affordable solution, cutting down on the need for multiple software tools.
Cone ensures that your proposals not only close deals but also handle invoicing and payment collections efficiently, providing a complete end-to-end solution
Best Features
Cost-Effective Solution: Cone offers its services starting at just $11 or 9£ per user per month, making it much more affordable than competitors like Ignition and GoProposal, which can cost $70-$100 per user per month. This makes Cone an ideal choice for small accounting firms looking to improve their operations without overspending.
Extensive Proposal Editor: Cone's proposal editor is intended to provide complete control over your ideas. You may develop outstanding, personalized proposals that reflect your brand and engage potential clients from the outset.
Integrated Billing And Invoicing: Cone includes billing and invoicing into its system, which supports a variety of payment processors. This makes the payment process easy and cost-efficient by allowing you to use your current payment processors without paying extra transaction fees.
Sales Pipeline Management: Cone has tools that help you nurture leads and ensure no business opportunity is overlooked.
User-Friendly Interface: Cone is intended to be simple to use, reducing the learning curve and allowing your team to get started fast and efficiently.
Comprehensive Pricing Factors: Unlike other software that focuses only on proposal creation, Cone offers superior pricing tool capabilities. One can add as many pricing factors on a service to price it profitably.
Affordability: Cone addresses the budget constraints of small businesses by offering an affordable solution that integrates proposal, billing, and invoicing capabilities, eliminating the need for multiple, costlier software options.
Pricing
Essential
- $8 or 6.5£ per user/month (annual billing)
- $11 or 9£ per user/month (monthly billing)
Growth
- $11 or 9£ per user/month (annual billing)
- $15 or 12£ per user/month (monthly billing)
Sign up for free now!
Final Thoughts
Having a well-written and customizable bookkeeping proposal template at your disposal comes in handy during busy times. You can simply edit it and dispatch it right away without wasting any time. You can write an effective proposal that lands your client just by following the simple steps that we have discussed in this article.
So, go ahead, get writing, and start landing those bookkeeping gigs with Cone Proposal by your side! Sign up now.
FAQs
- How should you write a bookkeeping proposal?
An executive summary, introduction, scope of services, methodology, schedule, pricing, terms & conditions, and conclusion should all be included in a bookkeeping proposal. Customize it to the customer's exact needs while highlighting your experience and the value of your offerings.
- How do you write an effective service proposal?
A good service proposal is straightforward, brief, and customer-oriented. It should describe the services you provide, explain your technique, provide a timeframe, specify your pricing, and include testimonials or case studies.
- How do you quote bookkeeping services?
For bookkeeping services, there are three ways to pay: hourly, fixed cost, and monthly retainer. A payment plan that suits everyone can be chosen.
- How lengthy can a bookkeeping proposal be?
All the essential information, including the company's details, services offered, timeline, etc., should be included in a bookkeeping proposal. It should, however, be easy enough to maintain the client's interest. Usually, five to ten pages will do.
- What is the best plan to follow up after submitting your proposal?
The best plan for moving forward is to confirm receipt of the proposal by phone or email, offer to answer any questions, and follow up. Later, follow up within one week of sending to know the status.
- Can you use a template for bookkeeping proposals?
Yes, using a template can save time and ensure consistency. However, always customize the template to fit the specific client and project to make it personal and relevant.
- What software can help in creating bookkeeping proposals?
Software like Cone Proposal can help create professional, interactive proposals with customizable templates, design features, and real-time collaboration and tracking.