Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have tried to answer many of the questions that we get. If your question is not answered here, please feel free to email us or call us at 888-999-9800. You can also request our FREE information kit.
- General
- Accounting Marketing
- Websites
- Outsourced Marketing
- Practice Management
- Mastery Selling Skills
- FAQs: Existing Clients
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General
General questions about topics like retrieving a password, accessing articles, unsubscribing from our newsletter and others.Q.What does Build Your Firm do?A.Build Your Firm is a practice development and marketing services firm that works exclusively with accounting firms. We enable you to develop a superior accounting practice that will allow you to:- generate higher profit margins
- realize higher hourly fees
- maintain a balanced lifestyle
We convey our information through live webinar, home study videos and customized consulting.
Build Your Firm offers Accounting Marketing, Practice Management, and Selling Skills programs, along with an all-encompassing Outsourced Marketing Program and Website Development. These are modern and time tested programs
To learn more about our programs and services for accounting firms visit http://www.buildyourfirm.com/services.htm
Q.How are you different?A.Our Programs are very different than other programs on the market because we deliver "real world" techniques that work in today's unique accounting environment so you can run an efficient and profitable practice. Other programs often regurgitate old school marketing strategies which are very expensive and yield low client retention rates. Whether it's an accounting website, live webinar program, home study, or consulting arrangement, you will be on the leading edge and feel confident with usWe are led by a practicing CPA who lives and breathes everything you do an remains on top of the profession when it comes to modern methods to acquire business, identify if that business is worth pursuing and then manage that business for optimal efficiently and profits for your practice.
We do NOT advocate cold call telemarketing and do NOT recommend you hire a sales representative - this will save you money and aggravation. We believe that you, the accountant, is in the best position to close and manage the business.
Q.What type of accounting firms do you work with?A.Our program works well for both new and established firms. The age of the practice does not matter. What we teach can be applied to any sized firm, but works especially well with the small firm because of few decision makers and rapid implementation capabilities. Most of the accounting firms that we work with are generating between $0 and $1 million in fees seeking to acquire annuity-based business clients. Many tend to be sole practitioners that want to acquire more small business clients, but some have multiple partners.Q.How can Build Your Firm help me grow my firm?A.Build Your Firm provides a variety of services to help small accounting firms acquire the right type of clients, operate more efficiently, improve firm profitability and retain clients longer We conveniently deliver a variety of marketing and practice development services to fit your particular needs, as follows:Accounting Websites - We develop and host close to 1,000 accounting websites. We offer cutting edge internet visibility while providing you with a superior website. Your website is built with full SEO to gain clients from the internet while also providing the latest client retention tools. We now what you need.See more
Accounting Marketing Program - This complete program will help you target small business clients, grow the revenue side of your business while acquiring the type of business clients that will yield higher hourly realization rates. Taught by live interactive webinar. See more
Outsourced Marketing Program - this program is a complete outsourced marketing and practice development program where you let us handle your marketing, then you close the business. Its; ideal for accounting practitioners that want to acquire $150,000 - $300,000 of new business over three years. Taught by live interactive webinar and ongoing tailored consulting. See more
Practice Management Program - This program will help you establish a work flow system, improve processing efficiency , increase your profit margins to double the industry average, etc. Delivered by home study video & support materials. See more
Mastery Selling Skills Program - This program will help you dramatically increase selling and closing skills while attempting to acquire new clients using proven selling & closing strategies, avoid mistakes, etc. Delivered by home study video & support materials. See more
Free CPE - We offer a host of free CPE webinars with a broad range of topics encompassing growing your firm and using efficient methods to practice. These webinars deliver very valuable information that you can use now in your practice. See more
Q.Will your program work in my market?A.Absolutely. Our marketing system is working for accountants from Alaska to Florida, Puerto Rico to Canada. large cities and rural areas. And yes, we also get requests from Australia and New Zealand. Our marketing platform uses tried and true marketing principles that will work for accounting firms operating a practice in a bedroom community to major metropolitan areas.Q.Do you handle accounting webistes and hosting?A.Yes. We develop and host close to 1,000 accounting websites. Whether you have a website or not, we offer cutting edge internet visibility while providing you with a superior accounting website. your website is built with full SEO to gain clients from the internet while also providing the latest client retention tools. We know what you need.Q.Do I have to travel?A.No. Our programs are delivered through live webinar, home study video's or customized consulting for your accounting firm.Q.Do you offer CPE?A.Yes. Many of our programs come with CPE. We are a registered sponsor with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).Q.Can I contact someone who has attended to find out more?A.You can read or listen to testimonials on our website. Testimonials that are recorded are from clients who have taken our program and called us to express their success via phone recording. They are as pure as it gets, not scripted, not professionally done, but the messages are clear. you can always give us a call and we will put you in touch with accountants who have participated in our programs and services too.Q.How long have you been in business?A.Build Your Firm has been operating since 2003 and we have many successful alumni around the country. Our programs have stood the test of time and remains on the cutting edge for accounting marketing. We have many reviews of our programs posted on our website and around the internet. We are proud of how we have influenced the accounting industry and changed the lives of thousands of accountants.Q.How did Build Your Firm Start?A.Allan Ratafia, after operating his accounting firm successfully for over 10 years, had a vision to share his successes and methods with other accountants around the country. Allan first successfully consulted with other firms in his local area about modern marketing strategies, closing techniques, pricing strategies, etc. In 2003 Build Your Firm was formed to service a national audience of accountants and has remained a leader ever since.
The foundation of our program has helped Allan Ratafia develop a million dollar practice, which he started in 1993. Today, Allan oversees his accounting practice and has time to help run Build Your Firm, teach programs and consult with current and past attendees.
The Chief Marketing Officer for Build Your Firm is Hugh Duffy, who has over twenty years of experience in business to business and internet media marketing. Hugh specializes exclusively in the accounting industry.Q.Can I get more information on your programs and services?A.You can request more information on our programs and services by completing the form at Request BYF Info -
Accounting Marketing
Questions about our popular Accounting Marketing Program that teaches CPAs and accountants how to generate leads, sell their services and market their practice.Q.How is your program different from others?A.With the Build Your Firm marketing system, you will generate leads from higher quality businesses that yield $200 - $300 per hour, even amongst very small businesses. Our modern marketing method utilizes an efficient approach to deliver a mix of new and existing businesses so you have a life-long system for lead generation. In addition we teach you practice management techniques like closing, client selection, pricing, etc. all to run an efficient and profitable practice. Also, we do NOT advocate cold call telemarketing and do NOT recommend you hire a sales representative - this will save you money and aggravation. We believe that you, the accountant, is in the best position to close business, especially after taking our program.Q.What will I learn at BYF's Accounting Marketing Program?A.You will learn a comprehensive marketing system that will generate leads from higher quality businesses that yield $200 -$ 300 per hour even amongst small businesses. Our modern approach to lead generation utilizes a diversified approach to deliver a mix of new and existing businesses. You will also learn how to:- Generate leads using modern methods from small business owners that you want to attract into your practice
- Explain the “true value” of your services, even amongst QuickBooks users
- Recognize what the prospect really wants and close with less effort
- Acquire “annuity based” business clients
- Keep your headcount and office space to a minimum
- Develop a business that is not highly dependent on you, the owner, doing the work
We do NOT advocate cold call telemarketing and do NOT recommend you hire a sales representative. Our system is modern and efficient. We fundamentally believe that the accountant is the best person to sell their accounting services and we train and provide extensive support in this regard. click here for more information Accounting Marketing Program
Q.How can you help me generate clients for my accounting practice?A.In a nutshell- this is our expertise. We advocate and teach accounting firms how to use a series of efficient modern methods that generates higher quality leads, identify if that business is worth pursuing and then manage that business for optimal efficiency and profits for your firm. Our system uses a diversified marketing approach so your practice is not overly reliant on one method that drains your cash. Our system is geared to deliver a steady flow of leads so your pipleline full and new clients are engaging you.Marketing is the key to every successful business! A reliable flow of ongoing leads and clients is required for a successful operation. As a firm that works exclusively with accountants, we understand that most accountants don’t know how to use marketing to generate ongoing leads from small business owners. That’s because business-to-business marketing is not a class that is taught to accountants in college. And when you work for an accounting firm after college, it’s not taught there either. Whether you have an established practice that wants to acquire a steady flow of new business clients, or are brand new, our marketing system will help you acquire new business clients with less effort.
BYF’s marketing system is broader in scope than other programs on the market and is taught by an accounting practitioner that has used this system to develop his own successful practice. If you are serious about developing your practice and would like to learn from industry experts, the BYF Accounting Marketing Program is well worth your time and investment.Q.Does your program work better for new or existing firms?A.Our program works well for both new and established firms. The age of the practice does not matter. What we teach can be applied to any sized firm, but works especially well with the small firm because of few decision makers and rapid implementation capabilities. Most of the accounting firms that we work with are small accounting firms generating less than $1 million in fees seeking to acquire annuity-based business clients. Many tend to be sole practitioners that want to acquire more small business clients, but some have multiple partners.Q.Who teaches BYF's Accounting Marketing Program?A.Build Your Firm’s Accounting Marketing Program is instructed by the owners of Build Your Firm, Allan Ratafia, CPA and Hugh Duffy. We do not hire professionals to instruct our program.
Allan Ratafia is a practicing CPA and uses all of the techniques taught in the program in his own firm. He takes great pride in being able to closely relate to accountants that attend the program. He began his career at Price Waterhouse and has a Masters in Taxation.
Hugh Duffy is a marketing professional with an MBA in Marketing. Hugh is an expert in lead generation for the accounting industry. The foundation of his background is consumer packaged goods marketing working for companies like Nabisco, Schick and Clorox. His marketing background is complemented with internet media (24/7 Real Media) and business-to-business publishing experience.Q.Will your program work in my market?A.Absolutely. Our marketing system is working for accountants from Alaska to Florida, Puerto Rico to Canada. Large cities and rural areas. And yes, we also get requests from Australia and New Zealand.Our marketing platform uses tried and true marketing principles that will work in your area. These principles will work for accounting firms operating a practice in a bedroom community to major metropolitan areas.
Our program is provided in English and is not bi-lingual. If you need to provide bi-lingual marketing, you will need to augment the secondary language locally. For example, we have on occasion implemented bi-lingual direct mail (English/Spanish) and websites with the assistance of accounting firm clients.
Q.How many people attend your program?A.Between 20 - 30 professionals attend our Accounting Marketing Program each session.Q.Can I learn all that so quickly?A.Yes, it is a jam packed experience, but you will get all the tools you need to succeed in growing your practice and acquiring new clients at higher fees.Q.What is your guarantee?A.We provide two money back guarantees with our live Accounting Marketing Program. The first guarantee enables you to experience half the program, and if you are not satisfied, for any reason, we will refund your fee. The second guarantee ensures that you will acquire at least $40,000 in new business within one year if you follow our system, or your money back.Q.Is the Accounting Marketing Program a live program or self study?A.We offer our Accounting Marketing Program in both a live, high energy, event and in a self study format. The live program is delivered mostly in a webinar format, periodically in-person. Both programs cover the same material. In addition, the live program provides 11 CPE credits and comes with two money back guarantees. If you are serious about developing your practice and would like to learn from industry experts, the BYF Accounting Marketing Program is well worth your time and investment.Q.Will I earn CPE credits?A.Our live program (webinar or in-person) provides 11 CPE credits.Q.Can I contact someone who has attended to find out more?A.You can read or listen to testimonials on our website at BYF Testimonials. Testimonals that are recorded are from clients who have taken our program and called us to express their success via phone recording. They are as pure as it gets, not scripted, not professionally done, but the messages are clear. You can always give us a call and we will put you in touch with accountants who have participated in our programs too.Q.Do I have to attend a live program to learn about marketing and sales?A.No. Our Study from Home Program provides the same marketing system as our live program, but with the convenience of learning from home.Q.Where is your program being held?A.We teach live programs predominantly in an interactive webinar format. We periodically teach some in-person programs. Both cover the same material. One requires travel, the other does not. Click for schedule: http://buildyourfirm.com/workshops.htm?id=sk7b3t8tQ.Do you provide coaching?A.We offer complementary coaching (within reason) to any professional who attends our Accounting Marketing Program. It is important to us that you succeed and get great value from us.Q.Will you need to sell me other programs in order to be successful?A.No. Our Accounting Marketing Program is taught completely with nothing held back. It is taught with the idea that all participants can implement the program themselves entirely. We have learned over time that accountants sometimes ask for our assistance with parts of what they learned. We offer secondary services to assist those accountants who ask. -
Websites
To learn more about Build Your Firm websites and get a complete list of FAQs, please visit our site at http://websites.buildyourfirm.com/faq -
Outsourced Marketing
Questions about our comprehensive Outsourced Marketing Program .Q.What is the Outsourced Marketing program?A.This program is a complete outsourced marketing and practice development program for accounting practitioners that want to acquire $150,000 - $300,000 of new business over three years. In this program, Build Your Firm takes responsibility for the marketing and lead generation for your practice. We will also provide training, coaching and support so you can close and manage the new business as it comes in. You will not need to hire telemarketers or sales reps (CSRs).Q.Will you do the lead generation and marketing for me?A.Yes. BYF does the marketing for you so your practice can be generating consistent leads without having to hire somebody, or doing it yourself. Many of our clients like the assurance of knowing that they have a modern marketing system that is always turned on and working for them.Q.Do you recommend I buy a practice or build my own?A.As we see it, there are only two ways to grow an accounting practice, buy an existing accounting practice or build a practice. If you decide to buy a practice, the cost is generally 1.25 times gross fees for the practice you are buying. With our Outsourced Marketing Program, you will acquire new business at a cost of 0.6 – 0.7 times gross, all in, which is approximately half the cost of buying an existing practice. Also, the quality of the clientele will be higher if you build it using our system, versus buying someone else’s practice.Q.Do you provide training & coaching?A.Yes. This is an integral part of our Outsourced Marketing program. You will receive extensive 1 on 1 training from our President, Allan Ratafia CPA on critical matters so you can close new business and manage it effectively. All training is conveniently scheduled and delivered in a manner consistent with how you will interact with prospects and clients.Q.How do I sign up for this program?A.Complete our OMP Application, or call our offices 888-999-9800 x156 and speak with Nita Sabo.Q.Can you provide testimonials?A.Yes. They are posted on our website. If you are still not convinced, give us a call and we will put you directly in touch with other accountants who have participated. -
Practice Management
Questions about our Practice Management Program that teaches accountants how to develop a practice for maximum productivity.Q.What is the practice management program?A.The Practice Management Program is designed for established practitioners that would like to transition their role in the practice from a job into a business. Our complete system will help you reengineer your operations so your practice becomes dramatically more efficient and less reliant on how hard you, the owner, work. Once you accomplish this, the practice will generate higher profit margins, enable you to improve the quality of your life, allow you to save for retirement and be easier to merge or sell later.Q.What type of practice will benefit from this program?A.We designed this program for small business accounting firm owners with an established practice generating at least $0 in fees and less than $2 million annually.Q.Can I really improve my profit margins to 50-60% or better?A.Yes. Our Accounting Practice Management Program will provide you with the tools you will need to process small business clients more efficiently so you can expect to earn $150,000-$200,000 in fees per full-time employee, 50-60% profit margins and hourly realization rates of $200-$300 per hour across the board.Q.Can you provide testimonials?A.You can read or listen to testimonials on our website at BYF Testimonials. If you are still not convinced, give us a call and we will put you in touch with other accountants who have participated.
Q.Are there any guarantees?A.Yes. Our practice management program comes with a 7 day money back guarantee. You can look at everything, including watching the videos. If you decide that it's not for you, simply return the program within 7 days for a full refund, no questions asked.Q.Is this a live program or a self study program?A.This comprehensive program is delivered in a convenient, home study format allows you to watch it on your TV or your computer. -
Mastery Selling Skills
Questions about our popular Mastery Selling Skills Program that teaches accountants how to increase their selling and closing skills to acquire new clients.Q.What is the Mastery Selling Skills Program?A.The Mastery Selling Skills Program is designed for practitioners who wish to dramatically increase their selling and closing skill while attempting to acquire new client for their practices. This is a step by step program and some of the things you will learn is; "bottom line" selling, "true-value" selling, close on the phone, common mistakes, proven closing strategies, identify a quality client, and much more. Our complete system will help you effectively close more clients with ease while learning a life-long system for ongoing business.Q.What type of practice will benefit from this program?A.We designed this program for small business accounting firm owners who hare having trouble signing or closing new clients.Q.Can I really improve my closing ratio by 30%--40% or better?A.Yes. Our Accounting Mastery Selling Skills Program will provide you with the tools you will need to close small business clients effectively. You can expect to close 30% to 40% more clients per month. Example: if you see 10 potential clients per month using the Build Your Firm system you will close 4 new business clients earning an additional $48,000 more per year!Q.Is this alive program or a self-study program?A.This comprehensive program is delivered in a convenient, home study format allowing you to watch it on your TV or your computer.Q.Are there any guarantees?A.yes. Our Mastery Selling Skills Program comes with a 7 day money back guarantee. You can look at everything, including watching the videos. If you decide that it's not for you simply return the program within 7 days for a full refund, no questions asked.Q.Can you provide testimonials?A.You can read or listen to testimonials on our website. If you are still not convinced, give us a call and we will put you in touch with other accountants who have participated. -
FAQs: Existing Clients
Questions about topics like retrieving a password, accessing articles, unsubscribing from our newsletter and others.Q.How do I sign up for your newsletter?A.You can sign up for our newsletter by going to BYF Newsletter LinkQ.How can I access the articles on your site?A.There are some articles that are available without registering, however, the majority do require that your register at the site. You can register at http://buildyourfirm.com/newsletter.htm to get access to our complete article database and begin receiving our email newsletter.Q.Already a client? Have questions about your BYF website?A.If you have any questions about your BYF website click here: BYF Website FAQ'sQ.How can I retrieve my password if I have forgotten it?A.Please click the following link and follow the instructions to retrieve your password. http://buildyourfirm.com/forgot.htmQ.How do I login if I did not receive an email to activate my account?A.If you did not receive an email to activate your account you should check your junk mail folder first. If you still do not find it, please call our office at 888-999-9800 x-2 and we can help you activate the account.Q.How do I unsubscribe from your email newsletter?A.If you no longer want to receive Build Your Firm newsletters you can click the unsubscribe link found in the newsletter or email us here
