Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers actually come from
In Greece paying customers for accountant tasks come from several predictable places. Neighbours and personal contacts are a common start - someone who knows you and trusts you will ask to help with tax forms, bookkeeping or a one-off declaration. Local small businesses and sole traders need regular bookkeeping and VAT filings. Workplaces and colleagues can give referrals when people set up a side business or need help with payslips and expenses. Schools, clubs and associations often need a simple accountant to keep accounts and prepare basic reports. Online search and marketplaces bring customers who are actively looking for services in their area.
Word of mouth matters a lot - a single clear, reliable job can produce two or three enquiries. Online visibility helps people who do not know you yet - they search by service and place, compare a few profiles and pick someone with clear services and easy contact options.
- Neighbours and personal network
- Local small businesses and sole traders
- Colleagues and workplaces
- Schools, clubs and associations
- Online search and local marketplaces
How to set a first price and talk about money
Start by deciding if you will charge hourly or fixed-fee for common tasks. Hourly suits open-ended work; fixed fees suit clear one-off jobs like annual tax returns, setting up a bookkeeping file or a VAT return. For your first price, pick a level that reflects your skill and the local market - not the highest possible, and not so low you cannot cover time and social contributions. You can raise prices later as you gain clients and references.
When talking money, be clear about what is included and what is extra - for example, whether bank fees, travel, updates or filing with authorities are covered. Send a short written confirmation after a verbal agreement - a simple email with the task, scope, price and payment method reduces misunderstandings.
- Decide hourly or fixed fee per task
- Be explicit about scope and extras
- Confirm agreements in writing
- Review prices after early experience
What the first ten customers usually look like
Your first ten customers are often close contacts and very small organisations. Expect a mix of neighbours, a freelancer or two, a small shop or café owner, a local sole trader, and maybe one person who found you online. Tasks are usually basic bookkeeping, tax returns, VAT filings, payroll for one or two employees, or simple consultancy on registering a business. These early jobs tend to be low to moderate complexity and help you build examples and references to show to new clients.
Treat these first customers as pilots - standardise a checklist for onboarding, keep copies of common documents, and ask permission to use anonymised examples as proof of work when you get a positive outcome.
- Neighbours and freelancers
- Small shops, cafés and sole traders
- One or two payroll clients
- Local associations or clubs
- Clients found through search or a marketplace
What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Greece
Before you accept regular paid work, check registration and obligations with the relevant authorities. Contact the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) or your local tax office (ΔΟΥ) to ask how to register - whether as a sole proprietor, freelancer or other form - and what invoicing, VAT and withholding obligations apply to your services. Ask AADE specifically about invoicing requirements and whether your activity triggers VAT registration.
Contact EFKA (Greece's social security authority) to learn when you must register and pay social contributions, and what exemptions or rules apply if you keep this work alongside a salaried job. If you are uncertain about contracts, consumer rights or business forms, check with your local chamber of commerce or a legal adviser. Keep clear records of invoices, receipts and contracts from day one so you can answer questions from authorities or clients.
- Ask AADE about tax registration, invoicing and VAT
- Ask EFKA about social insurance registration and contributions
- Keep clear invoices and expense records
- Ask a local chamber or legal adviser when needed
What tends to go wrong in the first months
New independent accountants often underprice or accept unclear scope. That leads to long hours for little pay or disputes over what was included. Other common problems are late invoicing, poor record-keeping, mixing personal and business finances, and not registering with the right authority soon enough. Cashflow can be tight when clients pay late; set payment terms and follow up promptly.
Technical problems can also appear - missing attachments, wrong tax forms, or not knowing the latest filing deadlines. Build simple checklists, keep a calendar of filing dates and set aside time for continuous learning. When in doubt about an obligation or interpretation of rules, ask AADE or a professional adviser rather than guessing.
- Underpricing and unclear scope
- Late invoicing and poor record-keeping
- Mixing personal and business finances
- Clients paying late - set terms and follow up
- Missing filing rules - use checklists and calendars
How a Websta profile fits into your work
A Websta profile is a single page you can send to potential clients and share on social media or messaging. It lists your services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking so clients can see what you offer and book time. Websta also has a marketplace where people nearby search by service and place or post a task for providers to make offers on.
Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. You set your prices on the profile. In some countries Websta populated profiles from public business registers - those pages noted that the person can claim or remove the page. Check the profile content and keep it up to date so anyone who finds you sees correct services and contact options.
- One sharable page with services, prices and booking
- A marketplace where local people post tasks
- Card payments paid out via Stripe to your bank account
- You control prices and can update your page
Frequently asked questions
- Can I do accounting work in Greece alongside a salaried job?
- Yes, many people start accounting work while keeping a salaried position. Check with AADE about tax registration and with EFKA about social security implications - ask when and how you must register for contributions when you add independent income.
- How should I ask for payment from a client?
- Be clear about payment terms before you start - state the price, due date and accepted methods (bank transfer, card via Stripe). Send an invoice or written confirmation after the agreement and follow up if payment is late.
- Do I need to register for VAT straight away?
- VAT obligations depend on the nature and turnover of your activity. Ask AADE or your local tax office about thresholds and whether your services require immediate VAT registration.
- What documents should I keep for my independent accounting work?
- Keep copies of invoices you issue, receipts for expenses, client agreements or emails describing scope, and any filings you submit. Well-organised records make tax time and client questions much easier to manage.
- How does Websta handle payments from clients?
- Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. You set the prices on your Websta profile and can use the page to accept bookings or payments.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.