Whether you are a bookkeeper or an accountant, there are 4 essential foundations for building a great accounting firm...

First, you need to know the right strategy.  Right?

You need a clear picture of what you are trying to build.  A clear picture of the right client.  And a clear strategy for your marketing and pricing.  Without the right strategy, you will always struggle.  

Creating clarity is the first step to avoiding the overwhelm you might be feeling right now.

Next, you need to get your pricing right BEFORE you win any more clients. 

You see, if you are not charging enough, you attract the wrong clients.  This will result in low margins, working crazy long hours, and working for clients that drain your energy.  

You must get your pricing right, and stop pricing based on hours… this is an old-fashioned, redundant way of pricing in our profession.

You want to grow your firm, right? 

Unfortunately, marketing is not like a tap you can simply switch on as soon as you need new clients.  You need to put in place the marketing foundations that will keep bringing you a consistent level of new prospective clients. 

You cannot leave marketing to chance.

The fourth foundation is systems. 

There are essential systems you need so that parts of your accounting firm can run on autopilot and deliver you consistent results.

When you have these 4 foundations in place, you have the right foundations to grow your firm faster and more profitably.

• I’m struggling to get the prices I want; I know I should be getting higher prices.

• Clients often complain about my fees, and I find myself struggling to justify my prices.

• I feel overwhelmed by all the things I need to do in my firm.  I don’t know what to focus on first.

• I’m worried about cash flow and paying my bills.  Some of my clients are slow to pay.

• I find it hard to attract the right clients.  I want clients who VALUE what I do and are fun to work with.

• I find I must work long hours just to make ends meet. Sometimes running an accounting firm is tough.

• I’m just not growing my firm as fast as I want.  I have no idea how to grow a successful accounting firm.

… these are common frustrations among accountants and bookkeepers.  In fact, I was once there too (when I was running my accounting firm – I started it in 1996).

The problem is, we know how to do the technical work (you are great at accounting and bookkeeping). But your technical skills will not help you build a great business.

The most common problems small accounting firms have are:

Not having a clear plan

Pricing the wrong way (the hourly mindset)

Struggling to win enough of the right clients

It starts with the right plan. The right strategy.  And a critical part of your strategy is your pricing strategy.  You do have a pricing strategy, don’t you?

When you get your pricing right, everything else follows from there.  With the right pricing, you make more money.

With the right pricing, you attract the right clients.  With the right pricing, you can work fewer hours.  With the right pricing, you have more money and time to then fix the other problems.

All the challenges, frustrations, and pain you are experiencing now is a result of the DECISIONS you have made in the past. And here’s the great news…

You can’t change the past, but you can change the future.

If you want a better future, you just make different decisions and do different things.

I know how that feels.  I made so many mistakes in the first 3 years of building my accounting firm. What I learned is this…

“You need a roadmap and a plan, then you just work the plan one step at a time.”

It takes time to build an extraordinary accounting firm. There is no magic pill. There is no quick-fix solution.

But when you take things one step at a time the results will come…

I’ll show you how to create that plan in the Value Pricing Academy.

No one does!  The demands of running a business keep us all extremely busy.

However, something magical starts when you build the right plan, pursue the best pricing strategy, and have a system for growth. In fact, with the right pricing strategy…

… you find you can make more money working with fewer clients!

I discovered how to do this in my accounting firm, and I will teach you the process when you enrol in the Value Pricing Academy.

There is a fear that raising prices results in losing clients.  

That’s not true.

The right client will gladly pay more when they perceive they are getting more.

We show you exactly how to do this in the Value Pricing Academy.

I’m Mark Wickersham, Amazon #1 best-selling author of “Effective Pricing for Accountants” and author of “How to Build a Successful Bookkeeping Business”, “A Practical Approach to Value Pricing”, “Value Pricing for Accounting Professionals”, and “Price: The Fastest Way to Grow Profit”.

I made every mistake in the book when I started my own sole practitioner accounting firm in the 1990s.  But then I discovered value pricing, and everything changed. I figured out how to fix the mistakes which helped me sell my firm.

I have been teaching accounting firms around the world since the year 2000, helping them avoid the mistakes I made, successfully transition to value pricing and build more profitable firms.

Academy membership will show you how to implement the core foundations and create a plan that will change you from feeling overwhelmed, overworked and underpaid to…

… joining a community of other like-minded accountants and bookkeepers getting incredible results by pricing your professional services more profitably and winning better clients.

This is for you if you are an accountant or bookkeeper running your own accounting firm (or wanting to start) and you want to master value pricing, win better clients, make more money and have more fun.

Every month you learn powerful value pricing concepts, marketing to grow your firm, essential systems, and strategies, get your questions answered, learn from other people in the group, and get access to ready-to-use resources, so you hit the ground running.

Since all meetings take place online there are no travel costs.  All you need is a connection to the Internet and a computer with speakers.

When you join Level 1 of the Value Pricing Academy you gain access to over 5 hours of live training every single month!

But if that seems overwhelming - don't panic.

All of the live sessions are recorded and kept available to you for 30 days, giving you plenty of time to catch.

And you don't have to watch them all! We have a rolling curriculum, so you can pick and choose the sessions that best suit what you are currently working on, knowing that the one's you miss will come back around when you are ready for them.

Discover key strategies for successful business operation from an experienced bookkeeper

Engage in peer discussions, networking, and strategy brainstorming in small groups

Understand value pricing basics and confidently implement them in your business

Optimise the use of pricing software for accounting services with expert guidance

Jessica has been in the accounting industry since 2001. In 2016, she founded Florida Virtual Bookkeeper to fulfil her passion to help small, service-based businesses and non-profit organisations succeed by empowering them around their finances. 

In these Essential Foundation sessions, Jess will be teaching you how to set up your business for success by getting clarity on your goals, setting up powerful systems, pricing effectively and confidently, and implementing strategies for growth.

Why compliance work is harder to value price and how to overcome that with a system for calculating a price you know will give you a good profit.

How to increase the price of your existing clients without the fear of them leaving you. This is my most popular session because you get very quick results.

There are 4 possible price strategies and only one of them will work for you. If you’re not making enough money you probably have the wrong strategy.

The 7-step menu pricing framework for building packages that meet clients’ real needs. Done well, packages and menu pricing will help you get much higher prices.

Your clients are value sensitive. The key to getting higher prices is to understand every component of the value equation. We look at how to create more value so more people want to buy from you at higher prices.

Powerful communication strategies so you never hear those dreaded words again… “that’s a bit expensive!”

The 3 key stages of the value conversation so you better understand the client’s needs and communicate the value, so they are more likely to buy and at higher prices than ever before.

The system you can follow for pricing ANYTHING. This is your fall-back framework whenever you have something tough to price.

The structure and words you must use so the client understands the problem, wants your solution and price is no problem.

This is the extraordinary world of PRICE PSYCHOLOGY and the laws of influence and how you can use it to remove price resistance.  

The best process of converting a new client, from the initial meeting, the pricing conversation, and the follow up communication. 

Understanding what value really is helps us to create that value-based price. Learn how to we create more value so more people want to buy and at higher prices.

• How to price your services based on client-perceived value

• How to confidently and effectively set individualised prices for each client (reflecting the value they place on the service).

• How to communicate the value of your services effectively so clients are eager to buy from you

• How to get your clients to WILLINGLY and HAPPILY spend more

These sessions are facilitated by 2 of our star students 

Teresa Slack and Sarah Kelly.

They know their stuff and are there to guide the conversation.

When you join your session you will be placed in a virtual breakout room with a small group of fellow academy members to discuss a topic and brainstorm solutions.

Whether you're keen to learn or eager to share your insights, these group sessions are the perfect way to connect with the community.

 It's more than just a meeting – it's a chance to gain that extra layer of GUIDANCE and SUPPORT from peers who are also navigating the exciting world of value pricing.

All live training sessions are recorded, and the recordings and resources are available for 30 days, that way if you miss a live session you can catch up with the recording.

In fact, when you first join the Value Pricing Academy you will get instant access to all the sessions over the previous 30 days so you can get started straight away.

As well as over 5 hours of live training every month, you will also gain access to one of our core training courses.

This course is released in MANAGEABLE CHUNKS throughout your subscription to the Value Pricing Academy, so you can work through and implement what you learn.

Our core training delivers the essential information you need in a structured step-by-step way, with downloadable resources making it easy to implement things 

one step at a time.

Managing an accounting firm is more than crunching numbers – 

it's about growing a business that thrives.

Often, you're caught up in daily tasks, and the BIGGER PICTURE - that vision you have for your business - gets side-lined. 

But it’s SO IMPORTANT to prioritise putting the foundations in place. 

This training is where everything starts; it's the essentials. Each topic gives you an introduction to areas we build upon in the Value Pricing Academy.

In this core training you'll learn the 12 key areas that will elevate your firm. From sharpening your strategy to mastering content marketing, we cover it all.

The course breaks down complex concepts into accessible, actionable steps. 

There is no minimum period to be part of the Value Pricing Academy. In other words, you can leave and stop the payments whenever you want. You are in complete control.

To guarantee you get started the RIGHT way so you GET RESULTS FAST we give you bonus software and bonus training FREE when you join today…

You get a complimentary copy of the Starter Plan of my Effective Pricing software to help you implement value pricing, price confidently in front of the client and get higher prices.

It is available to you as my gift for the duration of your Academy membership.

Effective Pricing is the LEADING TOOL for helping you implement value pricing.

You may have heard of it called “Cloud Pricing 2.0”, but we re-built it from the ground up in 2020 to make it much easier to use and add in features to give you more flexibility with your pricing.

When you enrol in Level 1 of the Value Pricing Academy you get a complimentary copy of the Starter Plan for the duration of your membership.

You can find out more about Effective Pricing here.

In our BRAND NEW training course, you will learn not only the basics of getting set up with ChatGPT and how to use it, but you will also learn SPECIFIC USE CASES FOR THE ACCOUNTING INDUSTRY, that you can apply in your daily work to save time and be more productive.

In this training, we give you detailed step-by-step tutorials and demonstrations on how to use ChatGPT, the best prompts to use to get great answers, and ONGOING UPDATES on the latest trends and new features.

1.

2.

3.

4.

An Introduction to ChatGPT

Prompt Engineering

Advanced Usage and Customisation

Use Cases

• Great Ways to Use ChatGPT
• Enhancing Client Communication & Service
• Data Entry & Financial Analysis
• Helping you Grow Your Firm
• Business Advisory
• Creating Systems and Processes

BONUS

You'll also receive all of the recordings from the our popular Virtual Summit: AI And ChatGPT for Accountants and Bookkeepers. That's over 3 hours worth of training!

5.

Tips and Tricks

+

Bonus Content

In this part of the training we will look at 5 strategies for getting fast results. Choose the one you like best and implement it right away for results.

Get clear on your mindset and then create your plan. This session comes with a 'Re-pricing Results Tracker' to help you check your progress.

Before you can start sending out your contract renewal letters you need clarity over your packages. Suggested package examples are included.

In this video I will walk you through the contract renewal letter - a powerful process for re-pricing your existing clients effectively.

This training gives you a practical approach to enhancing your

QBO ProAdvisor profile.

It's delivered by Jessica Fox, founder of Florida Virtual Bookkeeper, with over TWO DECADES of experience in the accounting industry. 

You will discover strategies to improve your rankings in the ProAdvisor directory, gain more leads, and ultimately, INCREASE REVENUE. 

Jessica shares her personal journey and the specific tactics she used to transform her profile into a highly successful lead generation tool, contributing to a significant portion of her business revenue.

• The single most important tweak Jessica made to her profile that dramatically increased her visibility and client engagement.

• Do you know how to turn a simple profile visit into a potential client engagement? Jessica does, and she's sharing her secrets.

• Discover the hidden secrets behind Jessica's approach to dealing with cost-conscious prospects, turning price objections into opportunities.

• The simple fact is, Jessica's strategic profile modifications can help you stand out in a crowded market. Learn how.

• Do you want to know how to make your ProAdvisor profile irresistible to your target audience? Jessica's got the answer.

• What you should never overlook in your ProAdvisor profile if you want to maximise client engagement and revenue.

• If you're struggling to attract high-value clients, then Jessica's insights on profile optimisation are exactly what you need.

• Get ready to give your ProAdvisor profile a complete makeover with Jessica's proven strategies that guarantee results.

• Learn how to transform your ordinary ProAdvisor profile into an extraordinary client magnet, just like Jessica Fox did.

• Discover the top 5 profile tweaks that turned Jessica's ProAdvisor profile into a lead-generating powerhouse.

• Uncover the sneaky yet ethical tactics Jessica used to outshine competitors in the ProAdvisor directory.

• What essential elements Jessica added to her profile to double her client inquiries in just a few months.

• The reason why Jessica's strategic use of location-based marketing in her ProAdvisor profile skyrocketed her local client base.

• Thinking a great profile picture doesn't matter? Wrong. See how Jessica's choice of photo significantly increased her profile engagement.

• Why Jessica's compelling 'About Me' section not only captivates prospects but also turns them into paying clients.

As an honoured member of the Value Pricing Academy, you will always have complimentary access to all our other online events throughout the year.

And just in case you can't make the live events, we will always 

add the recordings to your library as well.

These are the events we run at various times throughout the year:

If you’re like me, then you know running a small accounting firm can be lonely… 

...trying to figure everything out on your own, with nowhere to go and no one to talk to when you have questions or doubts.

THAT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN ONCE YOU JOIN THE VALUE PRICING ACADEMY.

You surround yourself with a brilliant support network. 

One that answers your questions, picks you up when you’re down, and gives you the kick in the butt you need to stay on track with your goals and aspirations.

You will be joining a community of bookkeepers and accountants on a journey to building a more successful accounting firm. Not only do you get to meet your fellow peers in the chat box during the live sessions you also get access to a private Facebook group and the group workshops.

The exclusive Facebook Group is a place you can hang out with other members, ask questions, get help, share what’s working for you and meet other accounting professionals on this journey with you.

YOU MAY BE THINKING...

I know! And if all of it seems a little overwhelming, don’t worry...

We created the Academy to give you access to the information and resources you need in stages.

The best place to start is with the BONUS training:

"RE-PRICING YOUR EXISTING CLIENTS"

This is delivered over your first 5 weeks in bite-size chunks and - when you implement the strategies you learn - it's the quickest way to REAL RESULTS.

Then there is the monthly live training… these sessions are on a rolling curriculum. So just pick the ones that are of most relevance to you at the time. 

(The rest will come back around again soon).

And finally, the community is here to help you and hold you accountable through the Facebook group and virtual breakout room sessions.

Remember...

YOU CAN DO THIS!

Just take it one step at a time.

Our Academy is the most complete, comprehensive way to build a profitable accounting firm.

It keeps you focussed on getting your pricing right, getting the right clients with effective marketing and putting the critical systems in place so your firm runs like clockwork. But… 

...it’s definitely not for everyone.

If you’re looking for a magic button or a “get-rich-quick” formula for building an accounting firm, this isn’t for you.

If you’re thinking about starting an accounting firm in the future, this level of the Academy is probably not right for you (yet!). You need to be up and running with some clients to get the best out of the Academy. But maybe you'd like to check out Level 1.

If you want to bill by the hour (which effectively means a job) then this isn’t for you.

The Academy is centred around the concept of VALUE PRICING, which means you need to be open to a better way of pricing and wanting to make the CLIENT and delivering VALUE the primary focus of your firm.

You do not need to understand Value Pricing (we’ll teach you that), but -

Remember, you’re in control. There is no minimum period to be part of the

Value Pricing Academy.

In other words, you can leave and stop the payments whenever you want.

You are in COMPLETE control.

Try the Value Pricing Academy for a full 30 days.

If at any time during those first 30 days you decide it’s not right for you, not only can you stop the payments, you can email my team and ask for a FULL REFUND of your first payment – no questions asked!

You do not have to give a reason!

So with ZERO risk to give it a try for 30 days, you’re probably wondering…

The Value Pricing Academy may not be cheap, but it shows you how to get the results you desire.

It’s a small investment in yourself that pays huge dividends in your future.

One that will pay back for the rest of your life. One that will get you pricing better. One that will give you the systems to grow profitably every year.

It’s also the best way to access training and mentoring from me, and from Jessica Fox.

When Jessica first started working with me, she said, “My income grew over 70% and my monthly recurring revenue has grown over 144% this year so far!”  

What would a 70% increase in your net income mean to you?

And she is going to teach you, during the live training, how she got those results so you can copy her.

You will be able to enrol in Level 1 of the Value Pricing Academy for a small payment of just $105 per partner every month. (Click here to see your local currency).

Remember, your investment never changes. When you are successfully enrolled in the Academy you know your investment will ALWAYS be the same (even when we add new training, tools and resources).

Put it this way… today is the very best time to join this community.

“Joining the Academy was one of the best decisions I've ever made for my business growth and stability. The value far outweighs the cost in my opinion.”

Jan Baudat, QB Jan, LLC dba: FitBooks

“The ROI is just amazing. There is no risk to joining just rewards if you put in the time and effort and adopt what is being delivered.”

Aaron Mcleish, Together We Count

When you enrol in Level 1 of the Value Pricing Academy you get instant access to the latest monthly training and resources. You will also get:

Essential Foundations

Pricing Fundamentals

Effective Pricing

Group Workshops

(Recordings are saved for 30 days for all live sessions except Group Workshops

The Core Foundations of a

Super-Successful Accounting Firm

(delivered in sections over your membership)

The Starter-Plan of the Effective Pricing Software

ChatGPT for Accountants and Bookkeepers

Re-pricing Existing Clients

How to Optimise Your QBO ProAdvisor Profile

Access to all our conferences throughout the

year including:

The Value Conference 

The Profitable Bookkeeping Bootcamp

The AI and ChatGPT Virtual Summit 

The Business Advisory Masterclass

Access to our Private Facebook Group

You can choose to do nothing.

And as you already know, if you choose nothing… then nothing changes.

BUT, if you already know you want to price better, grow your business, make more money and have more fun...

We would love to welcome you to this community and start your transformation… in the full knowledge,

YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND ANYTIME IN THE FIRST 30 DAYS AND GET A FULL REFUND.

So there is zero risk to give it a try.

With the right mindset, with the right training, the right tools and with the right support, you can transform your accounting firm. My whole team (and the community) are here to help you.

If you’re still on the fence, wondering whether to take the leap, let me share one last thought with you.

… then you’re not making the choice at all!

You’re letting your circumstances make your choices for you!

If you’re struggling right now, if you find you’re working crazy hard and not making enough money, you’ll find that will always be the case until you CHOOSE another way.

It’s never the right time to make a big change. But until we do make that change, NOTHING CHANGES, and nothing gets better.

The fact that you’re on this page is because you KNOW you need to change the way you price and start winning better clients. Everything about Academy membership is about getting results. Helping you get those better prices. Helping you get those better clients.

It’s an investment that will pay back. So perhaps the real question is, 

“Can I afford NOT to do this?”

What will things be like in 6 months from now if you do nothing and nothing changes?

We put the price up twice a year, so you'll need to choose quickly if you want to lock in the current low price.

Below is a list of the most common questions we get asked.  If you cannot find the answer to your question below and you have a question about the Academy, email my partner, Sarah, on: support@wickersham.co.uk.  

What makes the members of the Academy so successful?

It’s an ATTITUDE and MINDSET… we’re just the catalyst.  We focus on giving, not just the training, but the tools, resources and systems to get results.  Our most successful students show up to the live training, they get involved in the community, and most importantly, they take action.  Everything we teach has been proven to work… you just have to follow the plan.  JUST DO IT!

If I am just getting started in my accounting firm, is this still a good fit for me?

Yes.  When I started my accounting firm in 1996 I wish I had access to this.  I made so many mistakes in the first 3 years.  Mistakes that cost me ridiculous amounts of lost profit.  This is exactly the sort of support I needed back then.  The benefit of doing this early in the development of your business is you can get the strategy, foundations and systems in place, and avoid the mistakes I made.

If I don’t have many clients, will membership still help me?

That’s why one of the 4 foundations we teach is GROWTH… we give you the training to help you win more clients and grow your firm.  Think of it this way, just one new client could pay for your entire first year of membership!

I don’t have a team. Will this be too much work for me?

This training is best for solo practitioners who want to get the core foundations in place before they decide to scale through people (and that’s not essential to building a profitable virtual firm).  Most of the members of the Academy are sole practitioners, and some of those are solo practitioners.  When you get your pricing right and when you get your marketing strategy and positioning right so you attract better quality clients, you can build a very profitable accounting firm without a big team.  That’s very possible in this digital world we live in with access to so much great technology.

What is the guarantee and refund policy for the Academy?

Remember, you’re in control. There is no minimum period to be part of the Value Pricing Academy.  In other words, you can leave and stop the payments whenever you want.  At any time in the first 365 days you email my team and ask for a full refund of your first payment – no questions asked! You do not have to give a reason!  Click here to read our full terms and conditions.

Can my team go through this program with me?

Your investment is for ONE person to join the monthly trainings, breakout sessions and study groups.  If you want another team member or business partner to fully participate, they will need to join the Academy too.  However, your team can watch the recordings and work through the video-based training.

Is there any support available if I have questions or get stuck?

Absolutely.  There is the support from the entire community via the round table study group sessions.  If you have questions for me and my team you can email Sarah on: support@wickersham.co.uk.

“I have tried to learn value pricing a few times before with 1–3-part training sessions, but could not quite get the hang of it and I didn't have the confidence to implement what I did learn. I am understanding it in this program. I really get it! This program has also raised my confidence in my value and the value of the services that I offer. It makes so much sense and I want to get all of my clients on this system. One by one I am doing that now. It is making a world of difference in myself and my business.”

“The guidance received from Mark has been very valuable as I work to increase pricing and better understand the psychology behind pricing. As a result of the information I've learned I've added several new monthly clients which has helped me add more valuable revenue. Mark is very insightful and willing to help.”

Jeremy Stark

NDBP, LLP

Cammie Hughes

Account Ability, Inc.

“The Academy has introduced me to many valuable concepts that will benefit my practice in the coming years. Mark teaches us how to communicate the benefits that our work brings to our clients and price our services so we can bring home a profit to our families.”

“The Academy is fantastic. I've learned a lot about value pricing from Mark which allowed me to implement value pricing in my firm and increase my profits.”

Michael Braun

Upfront Consulting

Katryna Coltess

Plus Associates Bookkeeping Inc

“If you're stuck and unsure and looking for help or answers, join - the information is very valuable. You will learn something.”

“You will easily recoup the small investment in time and membership by improving your prices and negotiations with clients.”

Stephanie Jones

Enchanted Moon Ltd

John Johnstone

JMJ Accountancy

“Mark has a true ability to explain pricing methodologies in a way that is easily understandable and that an accounting firm is able to implement. There are many straight-forward strategies to implement, and some strategies require more effort but with Mark's ongoing commitment as well as help from the group you can achieve a new level of pricing success!”

“Joining the Academy was one of the best decisions I've ever made for my business growth and stability. The value far outweighs the cost in my opinion.”

Jan Baudat

QB Jan, LLC dba: FitBooks

Kimberly A. Colton, CPA

TG Accounting

“Learning to package price services has become the cornerstone of what we do in our industry and staying on the cutting edge of innovation.”

“The ROI is just amazing. There is no risk to joining, just rewards if you put in the time and effort and adopt what is being delivered.”

Andrea Glavas

inQub-O, Inc.

Aaron Mcleish

Together We Count

“I strongly recommend Mark's mentorship! He has helped me to learn to think differently about pricing, marketing and improving my profit. I always get something new from each session.”

“It's about shifting your mindset off you, your personal worth and your time, to thinking strategically as the owner and owning your business.”

Patricia P Belcourt CPA PA

Joy Schechter

The Joy of Business Inc

“The support of the community and Mark gives you the confidence to stick to the prices you have given to a client without feeling like you need to back down when clients protest about your pricing.”

“Worth the time and investment into yourself and your business!”

Carla Reding

Reding Bookkeeping

Amy Larsen

Amy Larsen Accounting

“I simply can't say enough for how Mark and Sarah's work has changed my business. After being involved for almost 2 years, I am working much less and still making the same income. Expecting next year to be even better. Thanks again!”

“If you would like to get paid what you are worth, this is the thing for you.”

Ishali

IDM Professional Corporation

David B. Kolts, CPA

PLLC

“I've told several people that it's well worth their money to join!”

“Do it, without a doubt.”

Vicki Giampietro

Let Me Do It

Andrew Rhodes FCA CTA

Sobell Rhodes LLP

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