business plan template cpa

How To Write a Winning Accountant Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for accountant businesses who want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every accountant business owner should include in their business plan.

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What is an Accountant Business Plan?

An accountant business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write an Accountant Business Plan?

An accountant business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Accountant Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful accountant business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of an accountant business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your accountant company
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your accountant business , you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your accountant firm, mention this.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of an accountant business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the accountant industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, the customers of an accountant business may include small business owners, individuals with complex financial situations, or other businesses that need accounting assistance.

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or accountant services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or, you may promote your accountant business via word-of-mouth or referrals from satisfied customers.

Operations Plan

This part of your accountant business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for an accountant business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include adding new products or services, expanding to new markets, or opening new locations.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific accountant industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Accountant Business

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Accountant Business

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup accountant business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Accountant Business

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your accountant company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

The goal of any business plan is to provide a roadmap for the future. A winning accountant business plan does this by providing a detailed overview of your company, its operations, and its financials. If you are seeking funding, your business plan should also include an appendix with your full financial projections and supporting documentation.  

Finish Your Accounting Firm Business Plan in 1 Day!

• Outline the goals of your business
• Identify the structure of your business (sole proprietor, partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation, or Limited Liability Company)
• Describe your experience and skills
• Describe the services you will provide and competitive advantages you foresee
• Identify your market and client potential
• Outline pricing for your services
• Explain management and staffing
• Outline equipment and office requirements
• Estimate start-up costs
• Estimate monthly operating costs
• Estimate projected revenue
• Define the source of start-up and operating capital

Accounting Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Accounting Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Accounting business plan.

We have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business accounting plans and many have used them to start or grow their accounting firms.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Accounting business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

DeSanta & Co is a new accounting firm located in Indianapolis, Indiana. We provide a full suite of accounting services to local businesses, including bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services. Our combined decades of expertise and client-focused service ensures that we will become the #1 accounting firm in the next five years.

DeSanta & Co is run by Michael DeSanta. Michael has decades of accounting experience and has gained a loyal clientbase from providing his services through competing firms. His expertise, reputation, and loyal clientbase will ensure that our firm is successful.

Product Offering

DeSanta & Co will offer its clients a full suite of accounting services. These services include bookkeeping, accounting, tax services, and auditing. The company will employ a large and diverse staff of professional accountants to ensure we can offer as many services as possible.

Customer Focus

DeSanta & Co will serve small and medium-sized businesses located in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. Most of these businesses will have less than 1000 employees and earn a revenue less than $10 million per year. We will also offer limited services to individuals, such as tax prep and help.

Management Team

DeSanta & Co’s most valuable asset is the expertise and experience of its founder, Michael DeSanta. Michael has been a certified public accountant (CPA) for the past 20 years. Throughout his career, he has developed a loyal client base, and many clients have stated that they will switch to DeSanta & Co once the company is established and running. Michael’s combination of skills, accounting knowledge, and loyal following will ensure that DeSanta & Co is a successful firm.

Success Factors

DeSanta & Co will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Michael DeSanta will initially help the clientbase that he has built carefully over the past twenty years.
• The company will emphasize providing client-focused service so that our clients feel valued.
• The company will provide our accounting services at an affordable rate.

Financial Highlights

DeSanta & Co is currently seeking $400,000 to launch. The funding will be dedicated to the office build out, purchase of initial equipment, working capital, marketing costs, and startup overhead expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office design/build: $100,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $50,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $50,000
• Working capital: $50,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for DeSanta & Co.

Company Overview

Who is desanta & co.

DeSanta & Co is a new accounting firm located in Indianapolis, Indiana that provides local businesses with a full suite of accounting services. We are a small firm but have considerable experience, so we can offer better quality of services than our competition. We expect that our most popular services will include bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services. Our combined decades of expertise and client-focused service ensures that we will become the #1 accounting firm in the next five years.

  DeSanta & Co is run by Michael DeSanta. Michael has decades of accounting experience and has gained a loyal clientbase from providing his services through competing firms. After working for several accounting firms around town, he surveyed his clientbase to see if they would be willing to switch to his new company once launched. Most of his clients responded positively, which motivated Michael to finally launch his business.

DeSanta & Co History

Upon surveying his clientbase and finding a potential office, Michael DeSanta incorporated DeSanta & Co as an S-Corporation in April 2023.

The business is currently being run out of Michael’s home office, but once the lease on DeSanta & Co’s office location is finalized, all operations will be run from there.

Since incorporation, DeSanta & Co has achieved the following milestones:

• Found an office space and signed Letter of Intent to lease it
• Developed the company’s name, logo, and website
• Hired an interior designer for the decor and furniture layout
• Determined equipment and fixture requirements
• Began recruiting key employees

DeSanta & Co Services

DeSanta & Co will provide the following services to its clients:

• Bookkeeping
• Tax services
• Advisory services
• Investment services
• Management consulting
• Valuation and planning

Industry Analysis

The accounting industry is essential to the success of other businesses and industries. Accountants record and track financial transactions, which helps businesses ensure they are making a profit. As such, accounting services are always in demand and the industry often sees great growth.

There are several essential services that accounting firms can provide to businesses and individuals. The most popular services include bookkeeping, tax services, advisory services, and valuation and planning. Though most businesses employ their own accountants, many businesses are switching to hiring accounting firms to save on costs.

The accounting industry is expected to grow over the next several years. According to The Business Research Company, the accounting industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from now until 2027. This growth is due to the increasing demand for accountants worldwide. This increase in demand and industry growth ensures that DeSanta & Co will achieve success.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market, customer segmentation.

DeSanta & Co will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Local small businesses
• Medium-sized businesses
• Individuals

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

DeSanta & Co will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Perkins & Smith

Perkins & Smith is a small accounting firm that has intentionally remained small so that they can have stronger relationships with their clients. Since they opened in 1960, Perkins & Smith has been one of the leading accounting firms in the Four State Region. They offer a wide range of services including accounting, bookkeeping, payroll services, tax prep and planning, and advisory services. They have built up a loyal clientele and maintained a strong, positive reputation since their opening decades ago.

Premiere Accounting

Premiere Accounting is a large accounting firm that specializes in helping large businesses with accounting, taxes, and similar services. Since opening in 1995, they have acquired a loyal client base, including several multi-billion dollar companies. They employ over a hundred professionals who all have diverse backgrounds. This helps serve their diverse clientele and ensures they are meeting the specific needs of every business that works with them.

Jackson Brothers Accounting

Jackson Brothers Accounting is a privately held accountant practice that has been popular in the area since 1985. They offer a wide variety of services including, tax planning and preparation, payroll processing, financial planning, and small business accounting. Though they are open to helping nearly all businesses and sectors, they primarily focus on local small businesses and startups.

Competitive Advantage

DeSanta & Co will be able to offer the following advantages over the competition:

• Client-oriented service : DeSanta & Co will put a focus on customer service and maintaining long-term relationships. We aim to be the best accounting firm in the area by catering to our customer’s needs and developing a strong connection with them.
• Management : Michael has been extremely successful working in the accounting sector and will be able to use his previous experience to help his clients better than the competition.
• Relationships : Having lived in the community for 25 years, Michael DeSanta knows many of the local leaders, newspapers and other influences.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

DeSanta & Co will offer a unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Client-focused financial services, where the company’s interests are aligned with the customer
• Service built on long-term relationships
• Big-firm expertise in a small-firm environment

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for DeSanta & Co is as follows:

Targeted Cold Calls

DeSanta & Co will initially invest significant time and energy into contacting potential clients via telephone. In order to improve the effectiveness of this phase of the marketing strategy, a highly-focused call list will be used, targeting individuals in areas and occupations that are most likely to need accounting services. As this is a very time-consuming process, it will primarily be used during the startup phase to build an initial client base.

DeSanta & Co understands that the best promotion comes from satisfied customers. The Company will encourage its clients to refer other businesses by providing economic or financial incentives for every new client produced. This strategy will increase in effectiveness after the business has already been established.

Social Media

DeSanta & Co will invest heavily in a social media advertising campaign. The company will create social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. It will use targeted marketing to appeal to the target demographics.

Website/SEO

DeSanta & Co will invest heavily in developing a professional website that displays all of the company’s services. It will also invest heavily in SEO so that the firm’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.

The fees and hourly pricing of DeSanta & Co will be moderate and competitive so clients feel they are receiving great value when utilizing our accounting services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for DeSanta & Co. Operation Functions:

• Michael DeSanta will be the Owner of DeSanta & Co. In addition to providing accounting services, he will also manage the general operations of the business.
• Michael DeSanta is joined by a full-time administrative assistant, Jessica Baker, who will take charge of the administrative tasks for the company. She will also be available to answer client questions and will be the primary employee in charge of client communications.
• As the company builds its client base, Michael will hire more accounting professionals to provide the company’s services, attract more clients, and grow our business further.

Milestones:

DeSanta & Co will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 6/2023 Finalize lease agreement
• 7/2023 Design and build out DeSanta & Co
• 8/2023 Hire and train initial staff
• 9/2023 Kickoff of promotional campaign
• 10/2023 Launch DeSanta & Co
• 11/2023 Reach break-even

Though he has never run his own business, Michael DeSanta has worked as an accountant long enough to gain an in-depth knowledge of the operations (e.g., running day-to-day operations) and the business (e.g., staffing, marketing, etc.) sides of the industry. He also already has a starting client base that he served while working for other accounting firms. He will hire several other employees who can help him run the aspects of the business that he is unfamiliar with.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

DeSanta & Co’s revenues will primarily come from charging clients for the accounting services we provide. We will charge our clients an hourly rate that will vary depending on the services they need.

The notable cost drivers for the company will include labor expenses, overhead, and marketing expenses.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of clients:
• Year 4: 100
• Year 5: 125
• Annual Rent: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, accounting business plan faqs, what is an accounting business plan.

An accounting business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your accounting business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Accounting business plan using our Accounting Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Accounting Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of accounting businesses , some examples include: Full Service Accounting Firm, Bookkeeping Firm, Tax Firm, and Audit Firm.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Accounting Business Plan?

Accounting businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start an Accounting Business?

Starting an accounting business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop An Accounting Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed accounting business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your accounting business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your accounting business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Accounting Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your accounting business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your accounting business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Accounting Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your accounting business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your accounting business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful accounting business:

• How to Start an Accounting Business

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Accounting Firm Business Plan

If you are planning to start a new accounting firm, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample accounting firm business plan created using Upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new accounting firm, spend as much time as you can reading through some examples of  service-related business plans .

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of your aim. It will also show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample accounting firm business plan for you to get a good idea about how a perfect business plan should look and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Accounting Firm Business Plan Outline

This is the standard accounting firm business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Product and Services
• Vision Statement
• Mission Statement
• Business Structure
• Chief Executive Officer
• Accounting and Tax Consultants
• Admin and HR Manager
• Marketing and Sales Executive
• Client Service Executive / Front Desk Officer
• SWOT Analysis
• Market Trends
• Target Market
• Competitive Advantage
• Sources of Income
• No. of Clients v/s Revenue Chart
• Payment Options
• Publicity and Advertising Strategy
• Financial Projections and Costing
• Generating Funds/Startup Capital
• Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

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After getting started with upmetrics , you can copy this sample business plan into your business plan and modify the required information and download your accounting firm business plan pdf and doc file. It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

Download a sample accounting firm business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free accounting firm business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your accounting firm business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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3+ SAMPLE Accountancy Firm Business Plan in PDF

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Accounting Company Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Financial Service Industry » Accounting, Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation

Are you about starting an accounting firm? If YES, here is a complete sample accounting firm business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting an accounting firm. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample accounting firm marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for accounting firms. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Have you ever dreamt of becoming your own boss? Did you by chance study Accountancy and are finding it difficult to get your ideal job? You don’t need to worry because your dream of becoming your own boss and still work as an accountant can be fulfilled with little or no start-up capital.

In case you didn’t know, there are loads of small businesses, mom and pop businesses, amongst a few without the faintest idea of any accounting skills. These businesses struggle with their books and accounting concerns a lot.

Research shows that one of the reasons why many small businesses remain small and sometimes close shop is not because they don’t have clients or capital to run the business but because they fail to keep their books properly. If you are an accountant, then you can leverage on this read to start your own accounting services firm.

You can be rest assured that your services would always be in demand not only by small businesses that can’t afford to hire a full-time accountant but also medium scale and big corporation especially for auditing purpose and other accounting consulting services.

They know that it would save them cost and the good thing is that you can handle up to 20 clients per time depending on how organized and hardworking you are.

Just like most business, the accounting services industry is pretty open for as many people that are interested in the industry as long as you have what it takes to run an accounting services firm.

Even if you don’t have the finance and other requirements for starting a standard accounting services firm, you can come into the industry by starting – out as a small accounting firm servicing mom and pop businesses in your neighborhood.

If you have decided to start an accounting services firm, then you must make sure that you carry out thorough feasibility studies and also market survey.

This will enable you properly locate the business in a community or city with the right demography; a location that can readily accept your products. Business plan is yet another very important business document that you should not take for granted in the bid to launching your own business.

Below is a sample accounting services firm business plan template that will help you successfully launch your own business;

A Sample Accounting Firm Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Firms in the Accounting Services industry are certified to audit the accounting records of public and private organizations and to demonstrate compliance to generally accept accounting best practices in the united states and perhaps in the world.

Certified public accountants (CPAs), included in this industry, provide a variety of accounting services, including auditing accounting records, designing accounting systems, preparing financial statements, developing budgets and providing advice on matters related to accounting.

Accounting services firms are known to offer a wide array of services, which includes audit and assurance services, tax preparation and compliance work, consulting assistance, restructuring and other accounting-related services.

Over the last half – a – decade, the Accounting Services industry has recovered from a post – recessionary decline in demand caused by a falling number of businesses in the United States, weak private investment and shrinking corporate budgets amongst others.

Nevertheless, the revenue generated in this industry has been on the rise since 2012, sustained by economic growth, rising equity markets and of course a growing number of new businesses. The Accounting Services industry has loads of small business operators servicing a wide range of clients ranging from start – ups to well established businesses.

The Accounting Services industry is indeed in a mature stage of its growth. The industry is characterized by growth in line with the overall outlook of the economy, consolidation from the largest players in the industry and wholehearted market acceptance of industry products and services.

The accounting services line of business will continue to be in high demand by business establishment in the United States, most especially as the number of businesses and employees increases. Corporate organizations are also expected to continue to outsource their auditing functions so as to focus their attention on their core area of operations.

The Accounting Services industry is indeed a large industry and pretty much active in countries such as United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Nigeria, South Africa Japan, China, Germany, and Canada et al.

Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 92,777 registered and licensed ( big, medium scale and small ) Accounting Services firm scattered all across the United States responsible for employing about 523,330 people and the industry rakes in a whooping sum of $97 billion annually.

The industry is projected to enjoy 4.4 percent annual growth within 2011 and 2016. The establishments with the lion share of the available market in this industry are DTT, EY, KPMG and PWC. These brands are known all over the world.

A recent report released by IBISWORLD shows that the geographic distribution of establishments in the Accounting Services industry is highly correlated with the overall population distribution in the United States. The report further stated that accounting service providers are predominantly small businesses that focus on serving local and regional markets.

Therefore, an increase in the number of individuals that require personal accounting services and businesses that need audit and tax services boosts the need for industry operators.

One thing is certain about starting an accounting services business -if you are able to conduct your market research and feasibility studies, you are more likely not going to struggle to secure clients because there are always mom and pop shops, start – ups and even corporate organization who would want to hire your services.

Lastly, with accounting services business, you can afford to partner with other smaller firms that are into financial related services. You can partner with tax consulting firm, you can partner with auditing firms and you can partner with human resource consulting firms et al.

The bottom line is that if you have a robust network and you are well positioned, you can indeed maximize profits with your accounting services firm.

2. Executive Summary

Rowland Pence& Co® Financial Consulting, LLC is a registered and licensed financial consulting firm with biased in accounting services and will be based in New York City – New York.

The company will handle all aspect of accounting related services; services such as auditing accounting records, designing accounting systems, preparing financial statements, developing budgets, tax preparation and compliance work, consulting assistance, restructuring and providing advice on matters related to accounting.

We are aware that to run an all – round and standard accounting services firm can be demanding which is why we are well trained, certified and equipped to perform excellently well.

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC is a client – focused and result driven accounting services firm that provides broad- based services at an affordable fee that won’t in any way put a hole in the pocket of our clients.  We will offer a standard and professional accounting services to all to our individual clients, and corporate clients at local, state, national, and international level.

We will ensure that we work hard to meet and surpass our clients’ expectations whenever they hire our services. At Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC, our client’s best interest would always come first, and everything we do is guided by our values and professional ethics.

We will ensure that we hire professionals who are well experienced in the financial consulting services industry with bias in accounting, taxation, bookkeeping and payroll administration.

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC will at all times demonstrate her commitment to sustainability, both individually and as a firm, by actively participating in our communities and integrating sustainable business practices wherever possible.

We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely. We will cultivate a working environment that provides a human, sustainable approach to earning a living, and living in our world, for our partners, employees and for our clients.

Our plan is to position the business to become one of the leading brands in the accounting services industry in the whole of New York City, and also to be amongst the top 20 accounting services firms in the United States of America within the first 10 years of operations.

This might look too tall a dream but we are optimistic that this will surely be realized because we have done our research and feasibility studies and we are enthusiastic and confident that New York City is the right place to launch our accounting services business before sourcing for clients from other cities in the United States of America.

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC is founded by Rowland Pence and Stanford Darlington, his business partner for many years. The organization will be managed by both of them since they have adequate working experience to manage such business.

Rowland Pence has well over 10 years of experience working at various capacities within the financial consulting services industry in the United States of America.

He graduated from both University of California – Berkley with a Degree in Accounting, and University of Harvard (MSc.) and he is a chartered account. Stanford Darlington has ample experience in the area of tax consulting and financial auditing.

3. Our Products and Services

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC is going to offer varieties of services within the scope of the financial consulting services industry in the United States of America. Our intention of starting our accounting services firm is to work with both smaller organizations (start – ups and mom and pop shops) and also well – established corporate organizations who would want to outsource the accounting concerns.

We are well prepared to make profits from the industry and we will do all that is permitted by the law in the United States to achieve our business goals, aim and ambition. Our business offerings are listed below;

• Providing accounting advice to corporate clients
• Providing accounting advice to individuals and small businesses
• Accounts preparation
• Financial auditing services
• Financial statement review services
• Providing other financial assurance services
• General accounting services
• Tax planning and consulting services
• Individual tax preparation and representative services
• Corporate tax preparation and representative services
• Providing other financial consulting and advisory related services such as designing accounting systems, preparing financial statements, developing budgets, tax preparation and compliance work, consulting assistance, restructuring and providing advice on matters related to accounting.

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our vision is to build an accounting service firm brand that will become the number one choice for both smaller businesses and corporate clients in the whole of New York City – New York. Our vision reflects our values: integrity, service, excellence and teamwork.
• Our mission is to provide professional, reliable and trusted accounting services that assist start – ups, corporate organization and non-profit organizations in handling their accounting cum financial related concern. We will position the business to become one of the leading brands in the accounting services line of business in the whole of New York City, and also to be amongst the top 20 accounting services firms in the United States of America within the first 10 years of operations.

Our Business Structure

Normally we would have settled for two or three staff members, but as part of our plan to build a standard accounting services firm in New York City – New York, we have perfected plans to get it right from the beginning which is why we are going the extra mile to ensure that we have competent, honest and hardworking employees to occupy all the available positions in our firm.

The picture of the kind of accounting services firm we intend building and the business goals we want to achieve is what informed the amount we are ready to pay for the best hands available in and around New York City – New York.

We will ensure that we only hire people that are qualified, honest, hardworking, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders (the owners, workforce, and customers).

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more depending how fast we meet our set target. In view of that, we have decided to hire qualified and competent hands to occupy the following positions;

• Chief Executive Officer

Accounting and Tax Consultants

Admin and HR Manager

Marketing and Sales Executive

• Customer Care Executive / Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive Office:

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; developing incentives; developing a climate for offering information and opinions; providing educational opportunities.
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Responsible for providing accounting advice to corporate clients
• Provides accounting advice to individuals and small businesses
• Responsible for handling accounts preparation
• Responsible for handling financial auditing services
• Responsible for handling financial statement review services
• Handles other financial assurance services and general accounting services
• Responsible for handling tax planning and consulting services, individual tax preparation and representative services and corporate tax preparation and representative services
• Other services
• Responsible for handling other financial consulting and advisory related services such as designing accounting systems, preparing financial statements, developing budgets, tax preparation and compliance work, consulting assistance, restructuring and providing advice on matters related to accounting.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Designs job descriptions with KPI to drive performance management for clients
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders to review the effectiveness of HR Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.
• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new partners, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of relevant projects.
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with company policy
• Responsible for handling business research, marker surveys and feasibility studies for clients
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Represents the company in strategic meetings
• Helps to increase sales and growth for the company
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• creates reports from the information concerning the financial transactions recorded by the bookkeeper
• Prepares the income statement and balance sheet using the trial balance and ledgers prepared by the bookkeeper.
• Provides managements with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports; analyzes financial feasibility for the most complex proposed projects; conducts market research to forecast trends and business conditions.
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the firm
• Serves as internal auditor for the firm

Client Service Executive / Front Desk Officer

• Welcomes guests and clients by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the company’s products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients
• Receives parcels / documents for the company
• Distributes mails in the organization
• Handles any other duties as assigned

6. SWOT Analysis

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC engaged the services of a core professional in the area of business consulting and structuring to assist the firm in building a well – structured accounting services firm that can favorably compete in the highly competitive financial consulting services industry.

Part of what the team of business consultant did was to work with the management of our organization in conducting a SWOT analysis for Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC. Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC;

Our core strength lies in the power of our team; our workforce. We have a team that can go all the way to give our clients value for their money; a team that are trained and equipped to pay attention to details and to deliver excellent jobs. We are well positioned and we know we will attract loads of clients from the first day we open our door for business.

As a new accounting services firm, it might take some time for our organization to break into the market and gain acceptance especially from corporate clients in the already saturated financial consulting services industry; that is perhaps our major weakness. So also, we may not have the required cash to give our business the kind of publicity we would have loved to.

• Opportunities:

The opportunities in the financial consulting services industry is massive considering the number of mom and pop businesses, start – ups and of course corporate organizations who can’t afford to do without the services of accounting service providers. As a standard and well – positioned accounting service provider, we are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes our way.

Some of the threats that we are likely going to face as an accounting service firm operating in the United States are unfavorable government policies, the arrival of a competitor within our location of operations and global economic downturn which usually affects purchasing / spending power. There is hardly anything we can do as regards these threats other than to be optimistic that things will continue to work for our good.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The financial consulting services industry is indeed a very large industry and of course it is one industry that works for businesses across different industries. If you are conversant with the trend in the financial consulting services industry, you will agree that loads of mom and pops, businesses, and start – up ventures that do not have the capacity to hire chattered accountants to handle their accounting tax concerns would naturally hire the services of accounting services providers who would usually charge them service charge.

Relatively, it is cheaper and less stressful to hire the services of accounting service providers as against employing a qualified accountant especially when you run a small business.

The truth is that, it is common to find even bigger firms contracting their accounting, tax and auditing concerns to competent financial / auditing firms because it is cost effective to do so. Another notable trend in the financial consulting services industry is that in the last five years, the industry has performed impressively as a large reduction in unemployment boosted the revenue generated in the industry.

So also, the financial consulting services industry has benefited from the advancement of online and computer payroll and accounting services, with new cloud-based offerings providing a new revenue stream for operators, and attracting new customers. Going forward, increasing product penetration and of course an expanding customer base is expected to drive growth in the industry.

8. Our Target Market

The demographic and psychographics composition of those who need the services of accounting services providers cuts across both small businesses and large corporations.

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC will initially serve small to medium sized business, from new ventures to well established businesses and individual clients, but that does not in any way stop us from growing to be able to compete with the leading accounting service firms in the United States.

As a standard and licensed accounting service firm, Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC offers a wide range of financial consulting services hence we are well trained and equipped to services a wide range of clientele base.

Our target market cuts across businesses of different sizes and industries. We are coming into the industry with a business concept that will enable us work with the small businesses and bigger corporations in and around New York City – New York and other cities in the United States of America.

Below is a list of the businesses and organizations that we have specifically design our products and services for;

• Mom and Pop Businesses
• Blue Chips Companies
• Corporate Organizations
• Religious Organizations (Pilgrimage journeys et al)
• Political Parties / Politicians
• Hotels and Restaurants
• The Government (Public Sector)
• Schools (High Schools, Colleges and Universities)
• Sport Organizations
• Entrepreneurs and Start – Ups

Our competitive advantage

The level of competitions in the financial consulting services industry depends largely on the location of the business and of course the niche of your financial consulting services. If you can successfully create a unique brand identity for your accounting services firm or carve out a unique market, you are likely going to experience less competition.

For instance, if you are one of the few accounting services firms in your locations that also offer tax consulting and bookkeeping and payroll services you are likely going to have a competitive advantage over your competitors.

Although the competition in the accounting services industry is not just within same service providers but also other financial consulting related service providers in the financial consulting services industry. For example, it is now easier for a tax consulting firm to also handle accounting services and bookkeeping and payroll services for its clients.

We are quite aware that to be highly competitive in the financial consulting services industry means that we should be able to deliver consistent quality service, our clients should be able to experience remarkable difference cum improvement and we should be able to meet the expectations of clients.

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC might be a new entrant into the financial consulting services industry in the United States of America, but the management staffs and owners of the business are considered gurus. They are people who are core professionals and licensed and highly qualified and chattered accountants in the United States. These are part of what will count as a competitive advantage for us.

Lastly, our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (start – ups accounting service firms) in the industry meaning that they will be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the financial consulting industry and we are going to go all the way to ensure that we do all it takes to attract clients on a regular basis and sign ‘retainer – ship’ with most of our clients.

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC will generate income by offering the following financial consulting services for start – ups, NGOs and for corporate organizations;

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain, there would always be mom and pop shops, start – ups, NGOs and corporate organizations who would need the services of professional accounting services firms.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in New York City and other key cities in the United States of America and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow the business and our clientele base beyond New York City to other cities in Nevada and other states in the U.S.

We have been able to critically examine the financial consulting market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projections are based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to startups in New York City – New York.

Below are the sales projections for Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC, it is based on the location of our business and the wide range of financial consulting services that we will be offering;

• First Fiscal Year-: $250,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $450,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $950,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and natural disasters within the period stated above. There won’t be any major competitor offering same additional services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

We are mindful of the fact that there are stiffer competitions amongst accounting service firms and other related financial consulting service providers in the United States of America; hence we have been able to hire some of the best business developer to handle our sales and marketing.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited base on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of the organization. We will also ensure that our excellent job deliveries speak for us in the market place; we want to build a standard accounting service firm that will leverage on word of mouth advertisement from satisfied clients (both individuals and corporate organizations).

Our goal is to grow our accounting consulting firm to become one of the top 20 accounting services firms in the United States of America which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with not only in the New York City but also in other cities in the United States of America.

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, schools, Businesses, Non-Profit Organizations and key stake holders in New York City and other cities in New York.
• Promptness in bidding for financial consulting contracts from the government, religious organizations and other cooperate organizations
• Advertise our business in relevant financial and business related magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• List our business on yellow pages’ ads (local directories)
• Attend relevant international and local finance and business expos, seminars, and business fairs et al
• Create different packages for different category of clients (start – ups and established corporate organizations) in order to work with their budgets and still deliver quality services to them
• Leverage on the internet to promote our business
• Engage direct marketing approach
• Encourage word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied clients
• Join local chambers of commerce and industry with the aim of networking and marketing our services.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market. We are set to take the financial consulting services industry by storm which is why we have made provisions for effective publicity and advertisement of our accounting services firm.

Below are the platforms we intend to leverage on to promote and advertise Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations all around New York City – New York
• Engage in road show from time to time to create awareness of our business
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Ensure that all our workers wear our branded shirts and all our vehicles are well branded with our company’s logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Hourly billing for financial consulting services is a long – time tradition in the industry.  However, for some types of financial consultancy services, flat fees make more sense because they allow clients to better predict consultancy costs.  As a result of this, Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC will charge our clients a flat fee for many basic services such as accounting services and business advisory services and tax consulting et al.

At Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC we will keep our fees below the average market rate for all of our clients by keeping our overhead low and by collecting payment in advance.  In addition, we will also offer special discounted rates to start – ups, nonprofits, cooperatives, and small social enterprises.

We are aware that there are some clients that would need regular access to financial consultancy and advisory services and assistance, we will offer flat rate for such services that will be tailored to take care of such clients’ needs.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via credit cards / Point of Sale Machines (POS Machines)
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via mobile money transfer
• Payment via bank draft

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for farm produces purchase without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials to clients who may want to deposit cash or make online transfer for services rendered.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

Starting an accounting services firm can be cost effective; this is so because on the average, you are not expected to acquire expensive machines and equipment.

Basically, what you should be concerned about is the amount needed to secure a standard office facility in a good and busy business district, the amount needed to furniture and equip the office, the amount to purchase the required software applications, the amount needed to pay bills, promote the business and obtain the appropriate business license and certifications.

This is the financial projection and costing for starting Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC;

• The total fee for incorporating the business in the United States of America – $750.
• The budget for basic insurance policy covers, permits and business license – $2,500
• The Amount needed to acquire a suitable Office facility in a business district 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $40,000.
• The cost for equipping the office (computers, software applications, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al) – $5,000
• The cost for purchase of the required software applications (CRM software, Accounting and Bookkeeping software and Payroll software et al) – $10,500
• The Cost of Launching our official Website – $600
• Budget for paying at least three employees for 3 months plus utility bills – $10,000
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500
• Miscellaneous: $1,000

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need over one hundred and fifty thousand ( 150,000 ) U.S. dollars to successfully set – up a medium scale but standard accounting services firm in the United States of America.

Generating Funds / Startup Capital for Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC is a business that will be owned and managed by Rowland Pence and his business partner Stanford Darlington. They are the sole financial of the firm, but may likely welcome partners later which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from my Bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $50,000 ( Personal savings $40,000 and soft loan from family members $10,000 ) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $100,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer our financial consulting services a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Rowland Pence & Co® Financial Consulting, LLC will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and re – training of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more as determined by the board of the organization. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts various banks in the United States: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of All form of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Generating part of the start – up capital from the founders: Completed
• Applications for loan from our Bankers: In Progress
• Securing a standard office facility in a business district in New York City (Renovation inclusive): Completed
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed software applications, furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors and key players in the industry: In Progress

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10 Free Business Plan Templates in Word, Excel, & ClickUp

Praburam Srinivasan

Growth Marketing Manager

February 13, 2024

Turning your vision into a clear and coherent business plan can be confusing and tough. 

Hours of brainstorming and facing an intimidating blank page can raise more questions than answers. Are you covering everything? What should go where? How do you keep each section thorough but brief?

If these questions have kept you up at night and slowed your progress, know you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve put together the top 10 business plan templates in Word, Excel, and ClickUp—to provide answers, clarity, and a structured framework to work with. This way, you’re sure to capture all the relevant information without wasting time. 

And the best part? Business planning becomes a little less “ugh!” and a lot more “aha!” 🤩

What is a Business Plan Template?

What makes a good business plan template, 1. clickup business plan template, 2. clickup sales plan template, 3. clickup business development action plan template, 4. clickup business roadmap template, 5. clickup business continuity plan template, 6. clickup lean business plan template, 7. clickup small business action plan template, 8. clickup strategic business roadmap template , 9. microsoft word business plan template by microsoft, 10. excel business plan template by vertex42.

A business plan template is a structured framework for entrepreneurs and business executives who want to create business plans. It comes with pre-arranged sections and headings that cover key elements like the executive summary , business overview, target customers, unique value proposition, marketing plans, and financial statements.  

A good business plan template helps with thorough planning, clear documentation, and practical implementation. Here’s what to look for:

• Comprehensive structure: A good template comes with all the relevant sections to outline a business strategy, such as executive summary, market research and analysis, and financial projections 
• Clarity and guidance: A good template is easy to follow. It has brief instructions or prompts for each section, guiding you to think deeply about your business and ensuring you don’t skip important details
• Clean design: Aesthetics matter. Choose a template that’s not just functional but also professionally designed. This ensures your plan is presentable to stakeholders, partners, and potential investors
• Flexibility : Your template should easily accommodate changes without hassle, like adding or removing sections, changing content and style, and rearranging parts 🛠️ 

While a template provides the structure, it’s the information you feed it that brings it to life. These pointers will help you pick a template that aligns with your business needs and clearly showcases your vision.

10 Business Plan Templates to Use in 2024

Preparing for business success in 2024 (and beyond) requires a comprehensive and organized business plan. We’ve handpicked the best templates to help you guide your team, attract investors, and secure funding. Let’s check them out.

If you’re looking to replace a traditional business plan document, then ClickUp’s Business Plan Template is for you!

This one-page business plan template, designed in ClickUp Docs , is neatly broken down into the following sections:

• Company description : Overview, mission, vision, and team
• Market analysis : Problem, solution, target market, competition, and competitive advantage
• Sales and marketing strategy : Products/services and marketing channels
• Operational plan : Location and facilities, equipment and tools, manpower, and financial forecasts
• Milestones and metrics: Targets and KPIs

Customize the template with your company logo and contact details, and easily navigate to different sections using the collapsible table of contents. The mini prompts under each section guide you on what to include—with suggestions on how to present the data (e.g., bullet lists, pictures, charts, and tables). 

You can share the document with anyone via URL and collaborate in real time. And when the business plan is ready, you have the option to print it or export it to PDF, HTML, or Markdown.

But that’s not all. This template is equipped with basic and enterprise project management features to streamline the business plan creation process . The Topics List view has a list of all the different sections and subsections of the template and allows you to assign it to a team member, set a due date, and attach relevant documents and references.

Switch from List to Board view to track and update task statuses according to the following: To Do, In Progress, Needs Revision, and Complete. 

This template is a comprehensive toolkit for documenting the different sections of your business plan and streamlining the creation process to ensure it’s completed on time. 🗓️

If you’re looking for a tool to kickstart or update your sales plan, ClickUp’s Sales Plan Template has got you covered. This sales plan template features a project summary list with tasks to help you craft a comprehensive and effective sales strategy. Some of these tasks include:

• Determine sales objectives and goals
• Draft positioning statement
• Perform competitive analysis
• Draft ideal customer persona
• Create a lead generation strategy

Assign each task to a specific individual or team, set priority levels , and add due dates. Specify what section of the sales plan each task belongs to (e.g., executive summary, revenue goals, team structure, etc.), deliverable type (such as document, task, or meeting), and approval state (like pending, needs revisions, and approved).

And in ClickUp style, you can switch to multiple views: List for a list of all tasks, Board for visual task management, Timeline for an overview of task durations, and Gantt to get a view of task dependencies. 

This simple business plan template is perfect for any type of business looking to create a winning sales strategy while clarifying team roles and keeping tasks organized. ✨

Thinking about scaling your business’s reach and operations but unsure where or how to start? It can be overwhelming, no doubt—you need a clear vision, measurable goals, and an actionable plan that every member of your team can rally behind. 

Thankfully, ClickUp’s Business Development Action Plan Template is designed to use automations to simplify this process so every step toward your business growth is clear, trackable, and actionable.

Start by assessing your current situation and deciding on your main growth goal. Are you aiming to increase revenue, tap into new markets, or introduce new products or services? With ClickUp Whiteboards or Docs, brainstorm and collaborate with your team on this decision.

Set and track your short- and long-term growth goals with ClickUp’s Goals , break them down into smaller targets, and assign these targets to team members, complete with due dates. Add these targets to a new ClickUp Dashboard to track real-time progress and celebrate small wins. 🎉

Whether you’re a startup or small business owner looking to hit your next major milestone or an established business exploring new avenues, this template keeps your team aligned, engaged, and informed every step of the way.

ClickUp’s Business Roadmap Template is your go-to for mapping out major strategies and initiatives in areas like revenue growth, brand awareness, community engagement, and customer satisfaction. 

Use the List view to populate tasks under each initiative. With Custom Fields, you can capture which business category (e.g., Product, Operations, Sales & Marketing, etc.) tasks fall under and which quarter they’re slated for. You can also link to relevant documents and resources and evaluate tasks by effort and impact to ensure the most critical tasks get the attention they deserve. 👀

Depending on your focus, this template provides different views to show just what you need. For example, the All Initiatives per Quarter view lets you focus on what’s ahead by seeing tasks that need completion within a specific quarter. This ensures timely execution and helps in aligning resources effectively for the short term.

This template is ideal for business executives and management teams who need to coordinate multiple short- and long-term initiatives and business strategies.

In business, unexpected threats to operations can arise at any moment. Whether it’s economic turbulence, a global health crisis, or supply chain interruptions, every company needs to be ready. ClickUp’s Business Continuity Plan Template lets you prepare proactively for these unforeseen challenges.

The template organizes tasks into three main categories:

• Priorities: Tasks that need immediate attention
• Continuity coverage: Tasks that must continue despite challenges
• Guiding principles: Resources and protocols to ensure smooth operations

The Board view makes it easy to visualize all the tasks under each of these categories. And the Priorities List sorts tasks by those that are overdue, the upcoming ones, and then the ones due later.

In times of uncertainty, being prepared is your best strategy. This template helps your business not just survive but thrive in challenging situations, keeping your customers, employees, and investors satisfied. 🤝

Looking to execute your business plan the “lean” way? Use ClickUp’s Lean Business Plan Template . It’s designed to help you optimize resource usage and cut unnecessary steps—giving you better results with less effort.

In the Plan Summary List view, list all the tasks that need to get done. Add specific details like who’s doing each task, when it’s due, and which part of the Business Model Canvas (BMC) it falls under. The By Priority view sorts this list based on priorities like Urgent, High, Normal, and Low. This makes it easy to spot the most important tasks and tackle them first.

Additionally, the Board view gives you an overview of task progression from start to finish. And the BMC view rearranges these tasks based on the various BMC components. 

Each task can further be broken down into subtasks and multiple checklists to ensure all related action items are executed. ✔️

This template is an invaluable resource for startups and large enterprises looking to maximize process efficiencies and results in a streamlined and cost-effective way.

The Small Business Action Plan Template by ClickUp is tailor-made for small businesses looking to transform their business ideas and goals into actionable steps and, eventually, into reality. 

It provides a simple and organized framework for creating, assigning, prioritizing, and tracking tasks. And in effect, it ensures that goals are not just set but achieved. Through the native dashboard and goal-setting features, you can monitor task progress and how they move you closer to achieving your goals.

Thanks to ClickUp’s robust communication features like chat, comments, and @mentions, it’s easy to get every team member on the same page and quickly address questions or concerns.

Use this action plan template to hit your business goals by streamlining your internal processes and aligning team efforts.

For larger businesses and scaling enterprises, getting different departments to work together toward a big goal can be challenging. The ClickUp Strategic Business Roadmap Template makes it easier by giving you a clear plan to follow.

This template is packaged in a folder and split into different lists for each department in your business, like Sales, Product, Marketing, and Enablement. This way, every team can focus on their tasks while collectively contributing to the bigger goal.

There are multiple viewing options available for team members. These include:

• Progress Board: Visualize tasks that are on track, those at risk, and those behind
• Gantt view: Get an overview of project timelines and dependencies
• Team view: See what each team member is working on so you can balance workloads for maximum productivity

While this template may feel overwhelming at first, the getting started guide offers a step-by-step breakdown to help you navigate it with ease. And like all ClickUp templates, you can easily customize it to suit your business needs and preferences.

Microsoft’s 20-page traditional business plan template simplifies the process of drafting comprehensive business plans. It’s made up of different sections, including:

• Executive summary : Highlights, objectives, mission statement, and keys to success
• Description of business: Company ownership and legal structure, hours of operation, products and services, suppliers, financial plans, etc.
• Marketing: Market analysis, market segmentation, competition, and pricing
• Appendix: Start-up expenses, cash flow statements, income statements, sales forecast, milestones, break-even analysis, etc.

The table of contents makes it easy to move to different sections of the document. And the text placeholders under each section provide clarity on the specific details required—making the process easier for users who may not be familiar with certain business terminology.

No business template roundup is complete without an Excel template. This business plan template lets you work on your business financials in Excel. It comes with customizable tables, formulas, and charts to help you look at the following areas:

• Highlight charts
• Market analysis
• Start-up assets and expenses
• Sales forecasts
• Profit and loss
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow projections
• Break-even analysis

This Excel template is especially useful when you want to create a clear and visual financial section for your business plan document—an essential element for attracting investors and lenders. However, there might be a steep learning curve to using this template if you’re not familiar with business financial planning and using Excel.

Try a Free Business Plan Template in ClickUp

Launching and running a successful business requires a well-thought-out and carefully crafted business plan. However, the business planning process doesn’t have to be complicated, boring, or take up too much time. Use any of the above 10 free business plan formats to simplify and speed up the process.

ClickUp templates go beyond offering a solid foundation to build your business plans. They come with extensive project management features to turn your vision into reality. And that’s not all— ClickUp’s template library offers over 1,000 additional templates to help manage various aspects of your business, from decision-making to product development to resource management .

Sign up for ClickUp’s Free Forever Plan today to fast-track your business’s growth! 🏆

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During a trial, small business owners get access to all FreshBooks features except Advanced Payments (like FreshBooks invoicing, time tracking, and expensing). So you’ll know exactly why it’s the accounting software used by over 30 million business owners. That doesn’t mean your small business doesn’t get access to some online payment features, you can still craft time-saving workflows.

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At the end of your free 30-day FreshBooks trial, you get to choose a plan specifically built for small business owners. But which one is right for small businesses? How do you know which accounting software features are right for your small business, to save you time and get you paid faster?

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Want to know how much FreshBooks costs? We know every small business is different, which is why there are different plans to choose from. You can review them here . Our advice? Take a moment and take stock of:

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Read this article for even more information to help you choose the right FreshBooks plan for your business: Wondering Which FreshBooks Plan Will Be Right For You?

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Tax Preparation Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Tax Preparation Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their tax preparation companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a tax preparation business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a tax preparation business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Tax Preparation Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your tax preparation business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Tax Prep Business

If you’re looking to start a tax preparation business or grow your existing tax preparation company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your tax preparation business to improve your chances of success. Your tax preparation business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Tax Preparation Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a tax preparation business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for tax preparation companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a tax preparation business.

If you want to start a tax preparation business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your tax preparation business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of tax preparation business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a tax preparation business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of tax preparation businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the tax preparation industry.
• Discuss the type of tax preparation business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of tax preparation business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of tax preparation businesses:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA): This type of tax preparation professional is someone who is licensed to provide an array of accounting services. CPAs can represent their clients in a variety of tax matters such as audits, collections, and appeals with the IRS.
• Tax Attorney: This type of tax preparation professional is licensed to practice law. Tax attorneys can prepare tax returns, and provide clients with tax planning services.
• Enrolled Agent (EA): This type of tax preparation professional is licensed by the IRS and trained in federal taxes. This type of tax preparation professional can represent both business and individual clients.

In addition to explaining the type of tax preparation business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of clients served, the number of tax issues resolved with positive outcomes, and reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the tax preparation industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the tax preparation industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your tax preparation business plan:

• How big is the tax preparation industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your tax preparation business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your tax preparation business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of tax preparation business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

Finish Your Tax Preparation Business Plan in 1 Day!

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other tax preparation businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes other types of professionals licensed to perform tax preparation services, do-it-yourself tax software such as TurboTax, or an in-house accountant. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of tax preparation business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for clients to acquire your services?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a tax preparation business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of tax preparation company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide tax preparation, IRS representation, or appeals services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your tax preparation company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your tax preparation business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your tax preparation marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your tax preparation business, including answering calls, planning and providing consultations, billing clients and collecting payments, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to acquire your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your tax preparation business to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your tax preparation business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing tax preparation businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a tax preparation business or successfully running a small CPA firm.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you charge by the hour and will you offer a discount for repeat clients? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your tax preparation business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a tax preparation business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a copy of your state license.  

Writing a business plan for your tax preparation business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the tax preparation industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful tax preparation business.  

Tax Preparation Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my tax preparation business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your tax preparation business plan.

How Do You Start a Tax Preparation Business?

Starting a tax preparation business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Tax Preparation Business
• Create Your Tax Preparation Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Tax Preparation Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Tax Preparation Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Tax Preparation Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Tax Preparation Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Tax Preparation Business Equipment
• Develop Your Tax Preparation Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Tax Preparation Business
• Open for Business

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Tax Preparation business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how a Growthink business plan writer can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

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Accounting & Bookkeeping Business Plan Template

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A complete business plan.

Text and financials are already filled out and ready for you to update.

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Mobile App Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Mobile App Business Plan

If you have a mobile app startup or want to expand your current mobile app business, you clearly need a business plan.

The following mobile app business plan template and example give you the key elements to include in a winning plan.

You can download the Mobile App business plan template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Mobile App Business Plan Example

Below are links to a sample of each of the key sections of a solid business plan for a mobile app development company:

• Executive Summary – The Executive Summary provides an overview of the mobile app business and its goals. If you are seeking funding, this is the first section that a potential investor or lender will read, so it should be compelling.
• Company Overview – In this section of your business plan, you should provide a detailed description of your mobile app business including the history, mobile app concept, business model, mission statement, and the company’s growth plan.
• Industry Analysis – In the Industry Analysis section, you will describe the mobile app industry including recent developments, market research and trends, and the competitive landscape.
• Customer Analysis – The Customer Analysis section of a business plan for an app will provide details about your target audience including their demographics, needs, and preferences.
• Competitive Analysis – In the Competitive Analysis section, you will provide information about the strengths and weaknesses of your direct competitors (other mobile app businesses) and how you will establish your competitive advantage to gain market share.
• Marketing Plan – The Marketing Plan will detail the monetization strategy for your mobile application and how your company will promote your mobile apps and/or development services. This includes a comprehensive digital marketing strategy to reach your target customers on multiple platforms (Google Play, Apple Store, etc.).
• Operations Plan – The Operations Plan outlines the day-to-day operations of your mobile app business. This includes information about how you will manage your team and develop, launch, and support your mobile applications.
• Management Team – In the Management Team section, you will outline the qualifications and experience of your executive team members and advisory team.
• Financial Plan – The Financial Plan section will include a 5-year financial model and projections (income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement). This is important to show potential investors and lenders that you have a viable plan for the mobile app business.

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Mobile App Business Plan Outline

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Free MS Word Strategic Planning Templates

By Courtney Patterson | May 11, 2024

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Below is a collection of the best strategic planning templates in Microsoft Word to help you create a comprehensive roadmap for future growth and success.

Included in this article, you'll find: 

• A one-page business strategy template
• A Microsoft Word IT Strategic Plan Template
• A 5-year strategic business plan template
• A nonprofit strategic plan template
• A list of related strategic planning templates

Microsoft Word Basic Strategic Plan Template

Download the Sample Basic Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word   Download the Blank Basic Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word  

When to Use This Template : Use this template with or without sample data when you are starting your business and need to outline a clear direction and foundational strategies. This tool is crucial for transitioning from an informal approach to a more structured strategic planning process. 

Notable Template Features : This basic strategic plan template simplifies the planning process with a clear, easy-to-follow structure that covers essential strategic elements. It includes sections for mission and vision statements, a SWOT analysis, goals, and action plans, making it accessible for first-time strategists.

Check out these  free strategic planning templates that offer robust resources, including ready-to-use frameworks and expert advice, so you can meticulously craft and execute your strategic vision.

Microsoft Word One-Page Business Strategic Plan Template

Download Sample One-Page Business Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word Download Blank One-Page Business Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Consider this template when you’re on a deadline and need a swift, comprehensive snapshot of your strategy. Available with or without sample data, the template is ideal for pre-meeting preparations, allowing you to quickly and thoroughly review your strategic position.

Notable Template Features : This one-page business strategic plan template boils down intricate strategies to a single, accessible page. Featuring streamlined sections for goals, actions, and metrics, it delivers a clear and concise strategic outline that's easy to share and discuss. Download the sample version for a pre-filled template, or try the blank version to fill in the sections with your own data.

Check out this  strategic planning guide , complete with free templates that offer you all the tools and insights you need to expertly develop and implement your strategic plans.

Microsoft Word IT Strategic Plan Template

Download Microsoft Word IT Strategic Plan Template Download Sample IT Strategic Plan Template  

When to Use This Template : Dive into this template when your IT department is gearing up for a major overhaul or aligning with new business strategies. Available with or without example text, the template is a must-have for plotting out the technological roadmap that supports your organization's long-term vision.

Notable Template Features : This IT strategic plan template features IT-specific sections, such as technology assessments and future roadmaps, making it a powerhouse for managing and planning IT investments. The template includes detailed prompts, so you can thoroughly address and align each aspect of your IT strategy, from cybersecurity to cloud computing, with overarching business objectives.

Explore this  article on crafting strategic plans . It offers a treasure trove of free templates to guide your team through the strategic planning process, ensuring a seamless and effective strategy formulation.

Microsoft Word Advanced Strategic Planning Template

Download the Sample Advanced Strategic Planning Template for Microsoft Word Download the Blank Advanced Strategic Planning Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Turn to this dynamic template with or without sample data when you’re ready to plan an all-inclusive strategy. Perfect for times of significant growth or change, it's especially useful for teams looking to blend comprehensive market insights with long-term planning.

Notable Template Features : This advanced strategic planning template is designed to guide you through every facet of strategic development, from SWOT analysis to detailed financial planning. Offering structured sections for an all-encompassing view of your business landscape, it ensures that you have a robust foundation for decision-making and future growth. Download the sample version for a pre-filled template, or try the blank version to fill in your own data.

Dive into this comprehensive  guide on strategic planning model templates to access a diverse array of free resources and streamline the path to your strategic goals.

Microsoft Word One-Year Strategic Business Plan Template

Download Sample One-Year Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word Download Blank One-Year Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Use this one-year template with or without sample data to reach your key goals within the next year. It's a must for companies looking to translate annual objectives into clear, actionable steps.

Notable Template Features : This one-year strategic business plan template is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring sections that help break down goals into achievable actions and timelines. The template’s streamlined approach ensures that you can focus on what matters most, making it easier to track progress and adjust strategies as needed.

Microsoft Word 5-Year Strategic Business Plan Template

Download the Sample 5-Year Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word Download the Blank 5-Year Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Use this template to lay the strategic groundwork for the medium-term achievements your organization aims to reach in the next five years. Available with or without sample text, it's perfect for transitioning from startup to established entity, allowing you to focus on expansion and scalability.

Notable Template Features : This 5-year strategic business plan template empowers you to set ambitious yet attainable goals and create strategies for market expansion. It also includes tools for financial forecasting and resource allocation, making it easier to manage growth and measure success over a longer period.

Microsoft Word Long-Term Strategic Business Plan Template

Download the Long-Term Strategic Business Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Use this template when you’re aiming for a plan of 10 years or longer and envisioning your business's journey toward long-term innovation and industry leadership.

Notable Template Features : Featuring a decade-spanning outlook, this long-term strategic plan template empowers you to set visionary goals and detailed strategies for sustainable growth and innovation. It’s designed to help you align your long-range plans with actionable steps, ensuring every department is moving toward a common, ambitious future.

Microsoft Word University Strategic Plan Outline Template

Download Sample University Strategic Plan Outline Template for Microsoft Word Download Blank University Strategic Plan Outline Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : This template helps university leaders chart a future course that enriches academic excellence and campus life. Use it during periods of strategic reflection or in advance of accreditation reviews to ensure all goals align with the institution's mission and vision.

Notable Template Features : Tailored to the academic sector, this strategic plan outline includes sections for setting educational priorities, creating a strategy for program development, and planning campus enhancements. Available with or without example text, it facilitates a comprehensive approach to institutional growth, encouraging stakeholder engagement and long-term planning for academic and infrastructural improvements.

Microsoft Word Marketing Strategic Planning Template

Download the Sample Marketing Strategic Planning Template for Microsoft Word Download the Blank Marketing Strategic Planning Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Turn to this template when you're preparing to put a new product on the market or revamping your brand's presence. It's ideal for synchronizing your marketing initiatives with your overarching business goals.

Notable Template Features : This template with or without sample data stands out with its clear sections for defining marketing objectives, pinpointing your audience, and crafting detailed campaign strategies. It supports marketers by laying out a comprehensive plan that not only attracts but also retains customers, ensuring all marketing activities are in lockstep with the business's vision and objectives. Try the pre-filled template to see sample text, or use the blank template to fill in your own data.

Microsoft Word Nonprofit Strategic Plan Template

Download the Nonprofit Strategic Plan Template for Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template : Reach for this template when your nonprofit is gearing up for a period of strategic renewal or aiming to better align its efforts with its core mission. Helping you clearly articulate your organization's direction and impact, this tool is crucial for running annual planning sessions or preparing funding and grant applications.

Notable Template Features : This template is designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, featuring sections dedicated to mission statement clarification, stakeholder engagement strategies, and impact assessment methods. It offers a comprehensive framework for nonprofits to navigate the complexities of sustainability and mission-driven planning, ensuring every activity contributes to long-term success.

Related Strategic Planning Templates

Discover this list of free templates that perfectly complement your strategic planning needs. From business model canvases to detailed market analyses and customer journeys, these tools ensure a solid value proposition and guide your business toward success.

Free Microsoft Word Action Plan Templates

Check out these  free Microsoft Word action plan templates for tools to streamline your project planning, enhance your task management, and achieve your goals more efficiently.

Free Gap Analysis Templates

Explore this  collection of free gap analysis templates to help you identify the discrepancies between your business's current state and its desired future state, offering a clear pathway for strategic improvement and goal achievement.

Free Scenario Analysis Templates

Use these  free scenario analysis templates to get frameworks that prepare you for various future possibilities, enabling strategic decision-making and risk management.

Secure Your Organization’s Future Success with Strategic Planning Templates from Smartsheet

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Lateral Partner Integration Requires Business Development Plan

When a lateral is hired into a new firm, following the tone set during the recruiting process is essential. The firm needs to ensure the lateral is set up for success on day one. Openness, honesty, and transparency are key.

A 12-month marketing and business development plan should be created as a roadmap for integrating new lateral hires and partnering them with a business development liaison. The assigned liaison should host regular check-in calls and serve as the lateral’s initial point of contact for all client development activities.

Setting the Stage

An introductory call between the lateral and their assigned BD liaison should take place prior to their start date or within the first two weeks. This should be the first in a series of integration meetings that take place during the lateral’s first year.

The goal of the meeting is to help the lateral understand the resources of the firm, services the marketing and BD department provides (i.e., requests for proposals, pitches, collateral, conference/speaking engagement prep, awards & rankings, bio updates, etc.) and to answer firm questions that may not have been addressed during the recruiting process.

The lateral and liaison should discuss any immediate client needs/opportunities, expectations, what support the lateral needs, and alert clients about the move.

The lateral should walk away from the meeting feeling confident, comfortable, and with a clear path forward.

Read more: Lateral Partner Recruiting Must Focus on Honesty and Clear Data

Introduction and Implementation

The BD liaison must also obtain a fulsome knowledge of the lateral’s practice, portable book of business, client targets, and preferred marketing styles. They should ascertain the partner’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as business goals and objectives.

The liaison needs to know why the lateral was hired—their niche expertise, specific client needs, and regional presence—to help identify cross-sell opportunities, make appropriate introductions to targeted attorneys within the firm, and plug the lateral into pre-existing client and industry teams. Prioritization should be placed on client-facing activities and the lawyer’s strengths.

The new partner’s BD liaison should have the same information as the legal recruiting team, which includes the lateral’s resume, partner questionnaire, offer letter, and revenue goals. Armed with these resources, the business development liaison is positioned as a part of the firm’s long time revenue strategy for the lateral partner, versus as a document producer.

Positioning the BD liaison as a key to the lateral’s success at the onset will encourage the partner to engage them in a meaningful way with strategy, innovation, and revenue generating activities for a sustaining practice. This allows the partner to focus on delivering quality legal services, while the BD liaison can focus on collaboratively growing their book of business.

Having a thoughtful, written integration plan is imperative. A written process ensures not only accountability, but gives each lateral the same onboarding experience regardless of which practice group or industry team they sit in.

During each meeting, the liaison should probe the lateral on topics such as satisfaction with the firm, sense of being valued, client growth opportunities, bandwidth and utilization, and cross-selling successes or frustrations. Regular status updates should be provided to firm leadership and other stakeholders. If the lateral flags an issue or perceived roadblock, the liaison should dig deeper to understand the root cause, and work with leadership to course correct.

It’s critical that firms not overpromise and underdeliver. For example, a lateral may have been hired to inherit a portfolio that fell through, or perhaps market fluctuations prohibited the opening of a new office that the lateral was intended to join. It’s important to keep the lateral’s business development liaison informed of these developments so they can monitor follow-though, manage expectations, and help pivot if necessary.

The firm should be clear about their commitments. Conversely, expectations for new partners’ client development and relationship building activities, for example, should also be addressed directly.

The most successful laterals are engaged and actively participate in regular integration calls. Holding 90-day reviews that include members of the recruiting team and practice group or department leaders can provide an opportunity for the partner to be heard as well as to receive direct feedback.

Integration Process

Avoid letting new lateral partners fall between the cracks, especially if they’re rainmakers or inexperienced business developers, by having a continuity plan that includes the written integration process. The BD liaisons shouldn’t work in silos.

Find a collaboration tool that works for the team’s communication style and commit to using it. Keep detailed records and have a plan of continued support should the assigned BD liaison leave the firm, or if there is significant recent or impending change happening within the firm, such as a merger or acquisition.

Recruiting and integration don’t cease when a merger is on the horizon, and the potential for new laterals to get lost in transition during a major change increases. Firms must adapt their recruiting and integration strategies not only to speak to the newly merged firm’s emerging cultural differentiators but also to how laterals will be supported in a fluid environment.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg Industry Group, Inc., the publisher of Bloomberg Law and Bloomberg Tax, or its owners.

Author Information

Brian J. Carrozza is director of client development at Goulston & Storrs.

Courtney C. Hudson is business development manager at Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz.

Megan K. Senese is co-founder and principal at stage, a women-owned business development and legal marketing firm.

Write for Us: Author Guidelines

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jada Chin at [email protected] ; Jessie Kokrda Kamens at [email protected]

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Moscow Method

What do you think of this template.

Product details

At its core, the MoSCoW method is simply a prioritization framework that can be applied to any kind of situation or project, but it works best when a large number of tasks need to be ruthlessly whittled down into a prioritized and achievable to-do list. The core aim of the process is to classify tasks into four buckets; Must, Should, Could and Won’t. As you can probably fathom, Must is the highest priority bucket, and Won’t is the lowest. You can also presumably now see where the funny capitalization in the term ‘MoSCoW’ derives from. One of the primary benefits of a MoSCoW exercise is that it forces hard decisions to be made regarding which direction a digital product project will take. Indeed, the process is usually the first time a client has been asked to really weigh up which functions are absolutely fundamental to the product (Must), which are merely important (Should) and which are just nice-to-haves (Could). This can make the MoSCoW method challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. It’s not uncommon for there to be hundreds of user stories at this stage of a project, as they cover every aspect of what a user or admin will want to do with the digital product. With so many stories to keep track of it helps to group them into sets. For example, you may want to group all the stories surrounding checkout, or onboarding into one group. When we run a MoSCoW process, we use the following definitions. Must – These stories are vital to the function of the digital product. If any of these stories were removed or not completed, the product would not function. Should – These stories make the product better in important ways, but are not vital to the function of the product. We would like to add these stories to the MVP build, but we’ll only start working on them once all the Must stories are complete. Could – These stories would be nice to have, but do not add lots of extra value for users. These stories are often related to styling or ‘finessing’ a product. Won’t – These stories or functions won’t be considered at this stage as they are either out of scope or do not add value.

The first two slides of the template are similar in design and structure. These slides can be used to provide general information to the team about the client’s needs. The slides will be useful for the product owner, development team, and scrum master. The next slide groups user stories into vertical columns. You can also set a progress status for each user story. The last slide gives you the ability to specify the time spent on each user story. After summing up the time for each group, the team can understand how long it will take them to complete each group. All slides in this template are editable based on your needs. The template will be useful to everyone who uses the Agile method in their work.

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