She also immediately dispels the stereotype that the self-employed market can\u2019t or won\u2019t pay for accounting services: \u201cIf they see the value that you\u2019re bringing, they will pay for it. The self-employed have been my solo market for the last five years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding the gig economy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOther accounting professionals would be wise to follow Martinez\u2019s lead. Nearly 40% of the U.S. workforce now participates in the gig economy, which includes freelancers, independent contractors, contingent workers, and even on-demand workers like Uber and Lyft drivers. And that percentage is only expected to grow, making this the perfect time for accountants to learn how to serve this market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When assessing a self-employed client\u2019s needs, Martinez advises her colleagues to keep an open mind and avoid jumping in with cookie-cutter solutions. While some entrepreneurs may be content to keep their side hustle on the side, others may be looking to grow and scale. These individual goals need to be taken into consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe purpose of truly listening to and connecting with the self-employed is not to respond back with perfect answers \u2014 but to give you, their trusted advisor, the opportunity to explore and discover the best possible solutions together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAssessing the needs of the self-employed<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOf course, those who are self-employed tend to share some common pain points. These include cash flow issues, tax struggles, mixing business and personal finances, messy or non-existent mileage tracking, and the dreaded \u201cshoebox dilemma\u201d \u2014 a disorganized collection of records and receipts that may or may not live in an actual shoebox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond these obvious struggles, there are plenty of other details to pay attention to during that initial conversation. Everything from the client\u2019s sales process and customer payment methods to their financial reporting and tax compliance will be relevant to how you proceed as their financial advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
QuickBooks Self-Employed: a simple solution<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOnce you truly understand your client\u2019s struggles and goals, Martinez recommends presenting simple, scalable solutions that will deliver value and save them time. She points out that for the self-employed, \u201ctheir time is literally their money \u2014 so when you start talking about saving, they love that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delivering the right solutions for each client requires a deep understanding of the available options. In other words: just because an individual is self-employed, it doesn\u2019t mean you should default to QuickBooks Self-Employed. Instead, Martinez implores her fellow accounting professionals to do their research about the different versions of QuickBooks: \u201cWe need to make our colleagues accountable for becoming technically aware of what\u2019s out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That being said, QuickBooks Self-Employed is<\/em> a great option for many self-employed clients. Martinez highlights three features in particular that make life easier for those working in the gig economy: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Real-time, automated bank and credit card feeds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Easy categorization of business and personal expenses. Martinez is a stickler for this point when it comes to working with the self-employed: \u201cYou want to be kind about it, but you also want to be firm about it.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The ability to prepare for tax time early.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Better yet, accountants can collaborate with their QuickBooks Self-Employed clients through QuickBooks Online Accountant. This makes it easier to hold clients accountable to their financial plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delivering the right solutions to the right clients<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nJust as the gig economy is incredibly diverse, so too are the service offerings that accountants can provide. Martinez suggests three simple and scalable business models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the \u201cSoft Touch\u201d model, you provide quarterly bookkeeping as well as tax prep services. This model helps accountants empower their self-employed clients to take control of their own finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the \u201cTrusted Advisor\u201d model, you meet with clients monthly and provide year-round bookkeeping and tax prep services. In this scenario, your clients are constantly held accountable and can get ahead of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the \u201cOne-to-Many\u201d model, you position yourself as an expert on the self-employed market by providing a high volume of one service or digital product. \u201cThis is my absolute favorite model,\u201d says Martinez. She offers plenty of ideas for reaching your target audience, including webinars, workshops, templates, blogs, podcasts, and videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building lasting partnerships<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nMany self-employed individuals avoid working with financial advisors because they don\u2019t think the advisors will be on their side. Martinez wants to dispel that notion: \u201cI want to be your accountability partner. I want you to look forward to having a meeting with me at the end of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She encourages other accountants to identify which subsets of the gig economy they are most passionate about. For instance, as a mother herself, Martinez loves working with stay-at-home moms and other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But no matter which groups you focus on, the key is to get excited about what your clients do. In doing so, accounting professionals will be well-positioned to not only help their clients\u2019 businesses flourish, but to find satisfaction in their own work as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.method.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/method@qbc2018_day1-MarietteFMartinez2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAssessing the needs of the self-employed<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOf course, those who are self-employed tend to share some common pain points. These include cash flow issues, tax struggles, mixing business and personal finances, messy or non-existent mileage tracking, and the dreaded \u201cshoebox dilemma\u201d \u2014 a disorganized collection of records and receipts that may or may not live in an actual shoebox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond these obvious struggles, there are plenty of other details to pay attention to during that initial conversation. Everything from the client\u2019s sales process and customer payment methods to their financial reporting and tax compliance will be relevant to how you proceed as their financial advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
QuickBooks Self-Employed: a simple solution<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nOnce you truly understand your client\u2019s struggles and goals, Martinez recommends presenting simple, scalable solutions that will deliver value and save them time. She points out that for the self-employed, \u201ctheir time is literally their money \u2014 so when you start talking about saving, they love that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delivering the right solutions for each client requires a deep understanding of the available options. In other words: just because an individual is self-employed, it doesn\u2019t mean you should default to QuickBooks Self-Employed. Instead, Martinez implores her fellow accounting professionals to do their research about the different versions of QuickBooks: \u201cWe need to make our colleagues accountable for becoming technically aware of what\u2019s out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That being said, QuickBooks Self-Employed is<\/em> a great option for many self-employed clients. Martinez highlights three features in particular that make life easier for those working in the gig economy: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Real-time, automated bank and credit card feeds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Easy categorization of business and personal expenses. Martinez is a stickler for this point when it comes to working with the self-employed: \u201cYou want to be kind about it, but you also want to be firm about it.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The ability to prepare for tax time early.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Better yet, accountants can collaborate with their QuickBooks Self-Employed clients through QuickBooks Online Accountant. This makes it easier to hold clients accountable to their financial plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delivering the right solutions to the right clients<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nJust as the gig economy is incredibly diverse, so too are the service offerings that accountants can provide. Martinez suggests three simple and scalable business models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the \u201cSoft Touch\u201d model, you provide quarterly bookkeeping as well as tax prep services. This model helps accountants empower their self-employed clients to take control of their own finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the \u201cTrusted Advisor\u201d model, you meet with clients monthly and provide year-round bookkeeping and tax prep services. In this scenario, your clients are constantly held accountable and can get ahead of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the \u201cOne-to-Many\u201d model, you position yourself as an expert on the self-employed market by providing a high volume of one service or digital product. \u201cThis is my absolute favorite model,\u201d says Martinez. She offers plenty of ideas for reaching your target audience, including webinars, workshops, templates, blogs, podcasts, and videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building lasting partnerships<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nMany self-employed individuals avoid working with financial advisors because they don\u2019t think the advisors will be on their side. Martinez wants to dispel that notion: \u201cI want to be your accountability partner. I want you to look forward to having a meeting with me at the end of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She encourages other accountants to identify which subsets of the gig economy they are most passionate about. For instance, as a mother herself, Martinez loves working with stay-at-home moms and other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But no matter which groups you focus on, the key is to get excited about what your clients do. In doing so, accounting professionals will be well-positioned to not only help their clients\u2019 businesses flourish, but to find satisfaction in their own work as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Once you truly understand your client\u2019s struggles and goals, Martinez recommends presenting simple, scalable solutions that will deliver value and save them time. She points out that for the self-employed, \u201ctheir time is literally their money \u2014 so when you start talking about saving, they love that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delivering the right solutions for each client requires a deep understanding of the available options. In other words: just because an individual is self-employed, it doesn\u2019t mean you should default to QuickBooks Self-Employed. Instead, Martinez implores her fellow accounting professionals to do their research about the different versions of QuickBooks: \u201cWe need to make our colleagues accountable for becoming technically aware of what\u2019s out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That being said, QuickBooks Self-Employed is<\/em> a great option for many self-employed clients. Martinez highlights three features in particular that make life easier for those working in the gig economy: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Better yet, accountants can collaborate with their QuickBooks Self-Employed clients through QuickBooks Online Accountant. This makes it easier to hold clients accountable to their financial plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as the gig economy is incredibly diverse, so too are the service offerings that accountants can provide. Martinez suggests three simple and scalable business models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the \u201cSoft Touch\u201d model, you provide quarterly bookkeeping as well as tax prep services. This model helps accountants empower their self-employed clients to take control of their own finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the \u201cTrusted Advisor\u201d model, you meet with clients monthly and provide year-round bookkeeping and tax prep services. In this scenario, your clients are constantly held accountable and can get ahead of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the \u201cOne-to-Many\u201d model, you position yourself as an expert on the self-employed market by providing a high volume of one service or digital product. \u201cThis is my absolute favorite model,\u201d says Martinez. She offers plenty of ideas for reaching your target audience, including webinars, workshops, templates, blogs, podcasts, and videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many self-employed individuals avoid working with financial advisors because they don\u2019t think the advisors will be on their side. Martinez wants to dispel that notion: \u201cI want to be your accountability partner. I want you to look forward to having a meeting with me at the end of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She encourages other accountants to identify which subsets of the gig economy they are most passionate about. For instance, as a mother herself, Martinez loves working with stay-at-home moms and other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But no matter which groups you focus on, the key is to get excited about what your clients do. In doing so, accounting professionals will be well-positioned to not only help their clients\u2019 businesses flourish, but to find satisfaction in their own work as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Delivering the right solutions to the right clients<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Building lasting partnerships<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n