From Zero to Bookkeeper of the Year

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/ ----------------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------------------- Promotion This video contains paid promotion. ----------------------------------------------- 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 #bookkeeper