Overcoming the Fear of Delegation: A Guide for Bookkeepers and Accountants
- twobirdsresources
- May 1
- 3 min read
"But nobody can do it quite like me..."
Sound familiar? As someone who grew Two Birds Resources from a solo operation to a thriving team of five, I've heard this fear echoed by countless bookkeepers and accountants. And you know what? I used to say exactly the same thing.
The Fear Is Real (And That's Okay!)
Let's be honest - delegation feels scary. When you've built your practice from the ground up, trusting someone else with your processes and valued client relationships can feel like handing over your baby to a stranger.
Common delegation fears I hear from bookkeepers include:
- "What if they make mistakes?"
- "My clients won't get the same level of service"
- "It takes longer to explain than to do it myself"
- "I'll lose control of my practice"
- "I can't justify the cost"
But here's the truth: these fears are costing you more than you realise.
The Hidden Cost of Not Delegating
You’re spending time on tasks which don’t fit your area of expertise, this means they take you longer to do, you resent them, you keep putting them off, but they all still have to be dealt with. The time you’re spending on eventually tackling these tasks means you’re;
Missing out on growth opportunities
You’re not achieving a work-life balance
You’re wasting energy
You have no time for strategic thinking
Missing out on building client relationships
Breaking Through the Fear Barrier
From my journey of growing Two Birds Resources, here are practical steps to overcome delegation anxiety:
1. Start Small
Choose one low-risk task to delegate. Perhaps it's email management or document organisation. Success with small tasks builds confidence for bigger ones.
2. Document Your Process
Create simple, clear instructions for your chosen task. This not only helps you delegate but also shows you that your processes can be replicated. Loom videos are really helpful.
3. Calculate Your ROI
Work out the true cost of your time. When I did this exercise, I was shocked to discover I was spending £45,000 worth of my time annually on tasks I could delegate for £15,000.
4. Trust the Process
Accept that who you delegate to might do things differently - and that's okay! Sometimes they might even improve your processes (yes, this has happened to me! Thanks Anthony!).
5. Communicate Clearly
Set clear expectations and create open feedback channels. This builds trust and ensures quality control without micromanagement.
Success Story: From Fearful to Freedom
When I first started delegating at Two Birds Resources, I was terrified. My first delegation task? Email management. I was convinced no one could handle my inbox like me. Now? My team manages client inboxes and my own so efficiently that I've freed up 10 hours per week for business development.
The Result? I’m able to delegate more time on working on my business rather than in it. Sound like something you’d like to achieve too?
Your Delegation Journey Starts Now
Remember:
- Perfect delegation doesn't exist - progress does
- Your unique value isn't in admin tasks
- Growth requires letting go
- Your time is your most valuable asset
Ready to overcome your delegation fears? Let’s have a chat to find out what you can delegate first!
Delegation isn't just about offloading tasks - it's about creating space for growth, both personally and professionally. Your fear of delegation is a sign that you care deeply about your practice and your clients. But don't let that fear hold you back from reaching your full potential.
Take that first small step today. Your future self will thank you.
Want to start your delegation journey? Download our free Delegation checklist here:
Then book a call!
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