Ask the Accounting Community

Hi Community,

I'm looking to get input from other accountants/CMAs that have been able to start their own accounting business and attract clients. Would you be able to share your experience on how you've reached out and let businesses know about the services you offer? I've seen bookkeepers and CPAs market themselves, but haven't really seen individuals who are CMAs, market themselves as outsourcable subject matter experts, perhaps I've been looking in the wrong places, but this should hopefully be the right spot! 

Thanks in advance!

Diane,

I was a CMA for 9 years before I earned my CPA license. My biggest hurdle has been general public knowledge. No one has heard about Certified Management Accountants. I hadn't heard of them when my college advisor suggested I pursue it as my primary designation. Everyone I have talked with as potential clients kept saying "Oh, I think I need a CPA to do my cost analysis/budget/forecast/etc. for me." I explained to them the difference between a CPA and CMA. My latest comparison is going to a general practioner doctor for a heart problem rather than a cardiologist. Both are medical doctors and both know about the heart. One has specialized training and experience regarding just the heart. A CPA is the GP while the CMA is the cardiologist.

I honestly earned my CPA just so I can tell those clients, "Oh, yes, I'm a CPA also." My signature shows CMA first and CPA second. I've been doing what you have been doing for 15 years now. If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly. <maskemail>david.belnap@...</maskemail>

Hi Community,

I'm looking to get input from other accountants/CMAs that have been able to start their own accounting business and attract clients. Would you be able to share your experience on how you've reached out and let businesses know about the services you offer? I've seen bookkeepers and CPAs market themselves, but haven't really seen individuals who are CMAs, market themselves as outsourcable subject matter experts, perhaps I've been looking in the wrong places, but this should hopefully be the right spot! 

Thanks in advance!

Diane,

I was a CMA for 9 years before I earned my CPA license. My biggest hurdle has been general public knowledge. No one has heard about Certified Management Accountants. I hadn't heard of them when my college advisor suggested I pursue it as my primary designation. Everyone I have talked with as potential clients kept saying "Oh, I think I need a CPA to do my cost analysis/budget/forecast/etc. for me." I explained to them the difference between a CPA and CMA. My latest comparison is going to a general practioner doctor for a heart problem rather than a cardiologist. Both are medical doctors and both know about the heart. One has specialized training and experience regarding just the heart. A CPA is the GP while the CMA is the cardiologist.

I honestly earned my CPA just so I can tell those clients, "Oh, yes, I'm a CPA also." My signature shows CMA first and CPA second. I've been doing what you have been doing for 15 years now. If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me directly. <maskemail>david.belnap@...</maskemail>

Hi Community,

I'm looking to get input from other accountants/CMAs that have been able to start their own accounting business and attract clients. Would you be able to share your experience on how you've reached out and let businesses know about the services you offer? I've seen bookkeepers and CPAs market themselves, but haven't really seen individuals who are CMAs, market themselves as outsourcable subject matter experts, perhaps I've been looking in the wrong places, but this should hopefully be the right spot! 

Thanks in advance!

Hi Community,

I'm looking to get input from other accountants/CMAs that have been able to start their own accounting business and attract clients. Would you be able to share your experience on how you've reached out and let businesses know about the services you offer? I've seen bookkeepers and CPAs market themselves, but haven't really seen individuals who are CMAs, market themselves as outsourcable subject matter experts, perhaps I've been looking in the wrong places, but this should hopefully be the right spot! 

Thanks in advance!