+44 (0) 1604 420057
   
Alison Mead

The Blog of Silicon Bullet

By Alison Mead, Bookkeeping Mentor ...

Building Your Bookkeeping Business in 2026

Alison Mead

CREATED BY ALISON MEAD

Published: 11/05/2026 @ 09:01AM

#BookkeepingTips #BookkeepingBusiness #BookkeepingExperience #BookkeepingClients #BookkeepingCommunity

The usual question I see asked in bookkeeping groups and forums is, where can I find customers, or how can I get experience now that I have passed my bookkeeping exams and started my bookkeeping business ...

Transform your bookkeeping business into a thriving venture in 2026 with these essential strategies and tools for success

Transform your bookkeeping business into a thriving venture in 2026 with these essential strategies and tools for success

The first port of call, if you have no practical bookkeeping experience, is to ask friends and family. I know plenty of bookkeepers who have cut their teeth on a family business or offered free support to a charity close to their heart to gain their first basic bookkeeping experience.

If you have exhausted all those options, then join
bookkeeping forums and groups on Facebook!

Look out for those who are posting about being busy and needing to subcontract work out. It can be a chicken-and-egg situation with needing experience and being able to help out a busy practice, but they may be able to allow you to do some of the simpler data entry or checking jobs to get familiar with the software until you are ready to take on clients of your own.

The next step is to get out and look for your own clients within the general business community. The best way to meet people is to go networking. I have tried a few groups over time, and with current restrictions, many groups are now available online.

Ask your peers which groups have worked for them, get booked on, and give them a go. Pre-COVID, in the old face-to-face networking days, I wrote a post about Business Networking in Milton Keynes with links to local groups. Many of these still exist, but are now virtual.

My favourite to attend is Business Buzz. You can visit either for around a tenner, and the best way to find the right group for you is to go along and just see which suits you and your character.

There are more formal groups and relaxed groups, groups that only allow one bookkeeper per group and groups (my preference) which allow anyone to go along. Bear in mind that when I grew my business, I found more work by connecting with other bookkeepers, with us passing work between ourselves, than I ever had from the general business community.

I only half-joked with one of the ladies I support about finding old bookkeepers and making friends with them, as they will want to retire at some point and will need someone they trust to hand over their bookkeeping jobs to.

This is how I found some of my nicest clients!

If you feel you would like more hands-on support and advice with getting started building your own bookkeeping business, or you need help with a bookkeeping issue or with Xero or Sage50c software, then do get in touch.

Sometimes, just talking through a problem is all you need to do to find a solution.

Until next time ...


ALISON MEAD
I'm your Bookkeeping Buddy: Discover more by clicking here!

Would you like to know more?

If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more about building your bookkeeping business in 2026, or even have an accounting problem you need to talk through, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01604 420057 and let's see how I can help.

Share the blog love ...

Share this to FacebookBuffer
Share this to FacebookFacebook
Share this to TwitterTwitter
Share this to Linkedin (popup window)Linkedin
Share this to Pinterest (popup window)Pinterest
Share this to WhatsApp (popup window)WhatsApp

#BookkeepingTips #BookkeepingBusiness #BookkeepingExperience #BookkeepingClients #BookkeepingCommunity

About Alison Mead ...

Alison Mead 

Alison loves bookkeeping and supporting bookkeepers. She has been helping clients to be better bookkeepers in Sage 50 for over 24 years and has been Xero Accredited in accounts and payroll for a number of years too.

She specialises in a very unique hand-holding method of training, helping bookkeepers and business owners to use their accounts software as and when they need support in setting up and producing their invoices, reports and financial information.

Alison combines her role at Silicon Bullet with her Forever Living network marketing businesses and is often to be seen at business networking meetings as she likes to keep busy.

You know what they say: if you want something done well ask a busy person!

More blog posts for you to enjoy ...

Click here to view this blog post


MTD For Self Assessment: Don't panic if you missed the first deadline

If you've recently discovered that the first Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax quarterly submission deadline has passed, don't panic. The first deadline, August 7, has passed, but there are currently no late-filing pena...

Click here to view this blog post


Bookkeeping Buddy: Why DIY Bookkeeping Doesn't Mean Doing It Alone

Many small business owners attempt DIY bookkeeping to save costs and maintain control. Yet, this path can be daunting. Learn how you can manage your finances more effectively with my Bookkeeping Buddy subscription, ensuring y...

Click here to view this blog post


First MTD for Income Tax submissions: Early lessons from the front lines

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is now becoming a reality for many self-employed individuals and landlords. Bookkeepers across the country are beginning to complete their first quarterly submissions ......

Click here to view this blog post


Building A Bookkeeping Business: Increasing Your Prices

You may have already done the difficult part of starting your own bookkeeping business; you've found clients, you've decided on your pricing, and now you're getting on with the day-to-day of looking after the clients you've ....

Click here to view this blog post


Getting your sole trader clients ready for MTD For Income Tax

If you're a bookkeeper supporting sole trader clients, you've likely already started receiving questions about Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax. While the changes may seem daunting at first, they're really about encour...

Click here to view this blog post


Some great reviews for my Bookkeeping Buddy subscription

Do It Yourself bookkeeping often feels like a chore when you're managing your own business accounts or even just starting off as a bookkeeper. This is why I created my Bookkeeping Buddy subscription and I'm getting some great...

Click here to view this blog post


Xero pricing update from 1st September 2026

As bookkeepers, we are often the first port of call when clients hear about software price increases. If you've started hearing questions about Xero's latest pricing changes, now is a great opportunity to demonstrate your val...

Click here to view this blog post


Why Should You Use A Bookkeeper?

Keeping track of your accounts is a science as well as an art form. Yes, of course you can do it yourself, but wouldn't a bookkeeper make your life a whole lot easier? Having a clear picture of your finances at any given time...

Other bloggers you may like ...

Click here to view this blog post


How trusted contacts help you stay independent for longer

Posted by Steffi Lewis on https://www.yourping.uk

For many people, staying independent is incredibly important. Whether you live alone, have family who live some distance away, or simply value your pr ...

Click here to view this blog post


Self employed taxpayers warned about class 2 NIC record errors

Posted by Roger Eddowes on https://blog.essendonaccounts.co.uk

HMRC has spotted errors in Class 2 NIC records affecting some self-employed people who did not register properly. The good news is that fixes are bein ...

Click here to view this blog post


Van life and the safety net you didnt know you needed

Posted by Steffi Lewis on https://www.yourping.uk

There's something undeniably appealing about van life. Waking up beside a Scottish loch, parking up on the Cornish coast or finding a quiet woodland s ...

Click here to view this blog post


Why human agency matters more than AI systems

Posted by Jacky Sherman on https://www.jackysherman.com

As Artificial Intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, many organisations are focusing heavily on technology itself. Discussions around AI oft ...

© 2026 by Alison Mead

All rights reserved



All content on this blog, including but not limited to text, images, videos and audio, is protected by copyright. No part of this blog may be reproduced, copied, distributed, or otherwise used without the prior written consent of the author. Unauthorised use constitutes a breach of intellectual property rights.

Please note that many elements of this blog have been created using Artificial Intelligence (AI). As such, content may not always reflect verified facts or professional advice. The information provided is for general interest only and should not be relied upon as a sole source for making decisions, financial or otherwise. Readers are strongly advised to seek independent advice from qualified professionals appropriate to their country and situation.

The author of this blog, YourPCM Limited, and its directors, employees, and authorised agents accept no liability for any loss, harm, or consequence arising from the use or interpretation of content found on this site.

The sblogit.com platform is provided on an “as is” basis. By continuing to view or interact with this blog, you acknowledge and accept these terms. If you do not agree with any part of this notice, please cease using this site immediately.

YourPCM Limited is a company registered in the UK and operates exclusively under the jurisdiction of the laws of England and Wales.