We sit down with award-winning bookkeeper Trudie Howman to break down her journey from accidental freelancer to Bookkeeper of the Year.
If you’re a bookkeeper trying to grow your business, this episode is packed with real-world insight. Trudie shares how she went from manually entering data and just covering the bills… to building a profitable, systemised bookkeeper business with a team, strong client base, and long-term financial security.
We dive into:
• How this bookkeeper built a 25+ client business
• The power of automation (Xero, Hubdoc, and more)
• Why every bookkeeper needs to reprice their services
• How niching into construction helped her grow organically
• The reality of referrals and visibility as a modern bookkeeper
• How one bookkeeper can massively impact a client’s finances
This is one you don’t want to miss.
Connect with Trudie!
➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/trudie-howman/
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About us
We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective
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About our Sponsor
This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting:
https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper
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Promotion
This video contains paid promotion.
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Disclaimer
The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - From Zero to Bookkeeper of the Year
00:00:27 - Trudy's Business Journey
00:00:58 - Trudy's Background and Start in Finance
00:01:56 - Transition to Self-Employment
00:02:52 - Building a Bookkeeping Practice
00:03:18 - Initial Business Goals
00:04:20 - Changes in Business Goals
00:04:40 - Impact of the Collective
00:04:55 - Growth in Confidence
00:08:03 - Financial Stability and Freedom
00:08:33 - Turning Point in Business
00:08:49 - Importance of Automation
00:09:31 - Business Visibility and Marketing
00:09:54 - Building a Niche
00:10:29 - Becoming Visible
00:11:13 - Return on Investment
00:12:27 - Providing Value to Clients
00:14:12 - Software and Workflow
00:14:31 - Client's Resistance to Software
00:15:21 - Generating Leads and Referrals
00:15:55 - Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Growth
00:16:21 - The Importance of Clear Business Niche
00:20:30 - Building Local Business Presence
00:22:57 - Achieving Personal and Family Goals
00:25:43 - Balancing Work and Family Life
00:26:31 - Impact on Clients and Recognition
00:28:29 - The Value of Bookkeeping Services
00:30:23 - Advising Clients on Financial Management
00:30:59 - The Power of Networking and Referrals
00:31:41 - Building Trust Through Honesty
00:31:59 - Building a Supportive Community
00:32:19 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information
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