Social media continues to permeate all aspects of contemporary life and accountants have embraced it. One thing that continues to challenge accountants, however, is developing accounting logos that are social media-friendly.

It makes sense. Social media sites are inconsistent with their profile image rules. That inconsistency makes it difficult to create a logo for all occasions.

Keep reading for some tips on how to create social-media friendly accounting logos.

Scalable Image Format

The JPG image format has one thing going for it. JPG files are smaller than other image types, which means images load faster. JPG is not, however, a scalable image format.

Try to make a JPG or other bitmap bigger and it gets that pixelated appearance. Reducing size means lost pixels and reduced quality.

Since every social media site has its own ideas about the ideal profile image size, a logo should come in a lossless, scalable format, such as SVG. This allows for resizing without sacrificing image quality.

Simplicity for Accounting Logos

Simplicity works when it comes to logos. Consider the evolution of Apple’s logo.

The original featured Isaac Newton sitting under a tree and looked like a 16th-century woodcut. The current logo is a minimalist impression of an apple with a bite taken out of it. It’s ideal for social media.

The takeaway is to avoid making a logo too busy. A complicated logo will be hard to scale down and keep recognizable. A check stub template company, for example, wouldn’t try to cram a fully realized check stub into their logo.

Accounting logos might employ a stylized calculator or tax form if a graphical element is deemed necessary.

Detachable Graphical Elements

In accounting logos that do use graphical elements, those graphics should be detachable from any text. A graphic by itself often works better as a social media logo than text.

Graphics are designed images. That means they generally conform to the rule of thirds and will fit into the square or rectangular shapes imposed by social media sites.

Images are also more memorable than text. In some cases, a simple image becomes so identifiable with a brand that text is redundant. Think of Nike’s swoosh or Twitter’s bird.

Color Selection

Color theory is a complicated subject with tendrils reaching into psychology and neuroscience. The important part to know is that people react physically and psychologically to colors.

The color blue soothes the observer and helps to generate feelings of trust. That makes it an excellent choice for social media logos since trust is paramount when finances are in play. It’s also the color of choice for numerous social media sites’ logos, including:

• Tumblr
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Linkedin
• Skype

It follows that they picked blue for sound reasons. Modeling a logo color scheme on those of successful social media brands amounts to playing the odds.

Parting Thoughts

Creating logos used to be the domain of graphic artists and web designers, but not anymore

Online Logo Maker has helped millions of businesses and individuals create logos. With its intuitive interface and vast template library, you’ll have several social media-friendly logos created in no time. Try it today.

Got questions or having trouble? Reach out through our contact page.

There are over 130,000 accounting firms in the United States.

While this is wonderful news for those who are looking to get into the accounting industry, it means that current accounting firms have more competition than ever before.

Accounting firms in the United States have already had to make changes to keep pace with the ever-evolving accounting industry. Additionally, digital marketing for accounting firms is more popular than ever.

Having an SEO strategy, a great website and even social media presence are crucial. And with more avenues than ever to advertise your firm’s services, it’s easy for your brand message to get muddled.

It’s also harder to set yourself apart.

While some firms sink huge percentages of their marketing budget betting on high-risk and ultimately ineffective strategies, others are focusing on strengthening what is arguably the foundation of branding:

An accounting firm logo.

But if it’s been a while since you upgraded your accounting firm logo, or are curious about what your firm’s logo may say about you as an individual CPA, you need to read this article.

In it, you will learn the kinds of messages that different accounting firm logo designs send to both current and potential customers.

Is Your Accounting Firm Logo Stressing Out Your Clients?

As tax deadlines approach, more and more Americans start to feel anxious, angry, and of course financially strained.

They’re desperate to find an accounting firm that has the ability to get their tax bill lowered, and to get them a higher tax refund.

Your firm may do this for businesses or individuals through the use of professional tax software not available to the average citizen. It may also rely on your employees’ comprehensive knowledge of tax law and years of experience.

Whatever the specific strengths of your firm and your accountants, you need to ensure that your logo puts the stressed-out minds of taxpayers at ease.

But if your logo is filled with reds or bright oranges, you could be sending the wrong message.

Red tones will call to mind unpaid bills, missed payment deadlines, and other financial negatives. It’s called “in the red” for a reason, after all!

Orange, while it may work for other industries, will similarly stress out your target market. While any overly-bright color will certainly be attention-getting, it will be for all the wrong reasons.

Instead, we suggest that you opt for more soothing, calming tones. Colors that project an air of confidence, collectedness, and above all, serenity.

The colors you include on your accounting firm logo need to say, “Relax. Let us handle this for you.”

To accomplish this, include soft blues, pastel colors, and even lighter greens.

Is Your Accounting Firm Logo Sending An Unprofessional Message?

Let’s set a quick scene: you’re driving along the interstate, and you see a billboard advertising services for a funeral home. The advertisement looks great, but then you spot the funeral home’s logo in the bottom of the billboard.

It’s of two men, grinning and giving a thumbs-up in front of a drawing of a coffin.

OK, so most poorly-thought-out logos (hopefully) won’t be that extreme.

But if you elect to include any imagery on your logo, you do need to work to ensure that it speaks to the professionalism of your firm and the services it offers.

Avoid anything overly cartoony, and even consider avoiding including people at all. Remember that people have been trained to connect certain images to specific industries and services.

While you want to avoid relying on cliched images (we’ve seen enough mountains in CPA logos to last us a lifetime) there are certain pictures that just make sense.

Natural images always seem to do the trick, as does art that works within the letters of your firm’s name. If you’re going for shapes, circles and triangles call to mind financial cycles and divisions of assets.

Avoid dollar signs and depictions of money. This just makes you look like a sketchy check-cashing business that you don’t want to go to after it gets dark.

When In Doubt, Keep Your Accounting Firm Logo Simple

As tempting as it can be in the “hipster” and “social media age” to go for something cute and unexpected, most people don’t want to see “risk-taking trendsetter” and “accounting firm” in the same sentence.

Projecting a crisp, clean, and yes, minimalistic logo for your accounting firm still allows for a certain degree of creativity.

Yet, it’s not so distracting that it muddles the message of your firm, or causes potential clients to doubt your abilities.

Don’t be afraid to include lots of negative space (AKA blank space) in your design. There’s nothing wrong with writing your name in black and blue lettering.

To add a more unique touch, have a typography professional create a font just for your firm.

Plus, having a simpler logo means that it will also be much easier to resize. Your logo will go on lots of different correspondence: your email signature, your business cards, your letterhead.

However, it will also go on your website, your Twitter and other social media accounts, and maybe even the sides of your building.

A clean, simple logo ensures that it will look great no matter where it’s placed.

Ready To Create The Perfect Logo?

Thanks to this post, you’re now much more aware of what will and what won’t work when it comes to creating the perfect accounting firm logo for your brand.

You’re also more in tune with what your current logo might be saying to consumers — so you can know whether or not it’s consistent with the overall message of your firm.

But don’t just settle on the first idea that comes to mind. Just like in finding solutions for tricky tax situations, the first answer is usually never the most effective one.

That’s why we suggest using our free online logo maker tool to help you test out a variety of different designs before you make a commitment to one.

Never underestimate the importance of your logo. To learn more about how to incorporate it into your overall marketing plan, spend some time on our website and blog.

There are slightly over 2 million bookkeepers in the U.S.

Even though most of them are employed in-house in various companies, some run their own bookkeeping companies.

Whether you’re in the process of establishing your own outfit or already have one up and running, here is why a great bookkeeping logo will be central to your success.

Strike a Great First Impression

We’re built to form quick first impressions of the people and things we meet and see.

In business, it’s no different. The first impression your bookkeeping company gives potential clients influences how they size you up.

How do you ensure your company gives a good first impression? Design an eye-catching logo. Avoid flashy colors. Keep it minimalist.

The next time you’re sending out a proposal, give your company letterhead a second look. If you aren’t satisfied the logo communicates your brand promise at first sight, redesign it.

Demonstrate How Different You’re from Competitors

In tech, a company can secure a contract not because it has a great logo, but because it has a reputation for delivering innovative solutions.

On the other hand, bookkeeping is a fairly straightforward task that doesn’t require any innovation. Most bookkeepers are genuinely competent in maintaining accurate financial records.

To stand out from the pack, you need to offer something more; a strong brand prospective clients would love to be associated with.

A sharp, attractive logo is what you need to prove your uniqueness to potential clients.

Earn Trust and Respect in the Industry

A great bookkeeping logo doesn’t just knock your competitors off the ground, it also earns you their trust and respect.

You see, a lot goes into designing a logo that breathes greatness. Frankly, thousands of bookkeepers have given it a shot and they come short each time.

So when you, somehow, manage to create a logo that’s two or three cuts above the rest, other bookkeepers and even accountants will notice and respect you and your firm.

With a strong command of trust and respect in the industry, your bookkeeping company will quickly evolve into an industry leader. This is a position that can earn you lots of clients.

Showcase Your Creative Side

Really, of all the abilities required of a bookkeeper, creativity ranks among the lowest.

OK. You may need some creativity to customize bookkeeping software to suit your needs, but that’s not even your job. It’s the software provider’s job.

In a profession where people are crunching figures and dealing with paperwork all day, a show of some creativity can win you clients, especially those who work in creative sectors and have a preference for creative people.

What better way to showcase your creative side than having a creative logo for your company?

Your Quest for a Great Bookkeeping Logo Begins Here

Creating a great logo requires a creative mind, a strong sense of color, an intricate understanding of what your brand stands for and, importantly, the right logo making tools.

It could take multiple attempts before you achieve the logo your company deserves, but that’s part of the process.

Don’t give up. Keep reading our blog for fresh design tips, and also keep tinkering with your logo until you hit the mark. Sometimes, greatness does take time!

With close to 90,000 accounting firms in the United States, you need to do everything possible to set yours apart from the competition.

You likely already know just how crucial branding is to the success of your firm. But good branding and client recognition both depend on one crucial foundation: your accounting logo.

What does it take to create an accounting logo that’s unique, branded, and eye-catching (while remaining professional?)

Read this post to find out!

1. Keep It Professional

Always remember that there’s a difference between thinking outside of the box and doing a disservice to your brand by going too far.

You can still create an eye-catching logo without relying on images of someone holding a bag of money or being showered in dollar bills. These images wouldn’t work for those trading stocks, either.

Inside of getting a little bit too wild with images and colors, focus on font/typography to distinguish your firm. You can create a font that’s all your own, or play around with ones already out there.

Also, keep in mind that relying on cliched images like columns, cityscapes, or official seals doesn’t make you look professional, either. If you use the same imagery as everyone else, how will your customer know your firm is a cut above the rest?

2. Ensure It Can Be Easily Resized

Especially as an accounting firm, it’s likely that your logo will go on all different types of things.

Your business cards, your website, even the front of your building. When you create your logo, make sure the text and images you use can be easily resized.

Choosing a logo that works with many sizes, surfaces, and backgrounds will help you to increase your brand recognition and keep you looking professional.

An easily resizable logo also makes updating it in the future much easier — you can tweak it and make small changes to get a fresh look.

Case in point?

Apple’s famous apple has been shown in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes over the years.

3. Minimalism Is Best

First of all, a more minimal design communicates to customers that your services are good enough to stand on their own. It also implies that you’ve already built a solid reputation.

If you try to squeeze too much into your logo, it just ends up looking overcrowded. If you go wild with colors, it can be difficult to read.

To keep things clean, use lots of negative space in your design. Also, remember that there’s nothing wrong with black and white. Especially since minimalism is trendy now, you’ll strike the perfect balance between in-the-moment and ultra-professional.

Ready to Create Your Accounting Logo?

Thanks to this post, you now have a much better idea of what it takes to create a perfect accounting logo.

You might even have more than one in mind!

To test out different options, and to get a sense of which colors and fonts work the best for your firm, try our free online logo maker tool.

For more advice on how to create winning logos, check out our blog.