Takeaways from Day 1 of this Week’s Specialized Industry Accounting Conference

I’m on the road again enjoying sharing insights from the specialized industry accounting conference I am attending.  Today’s takeaways started even before we reached the registration desk, where I introduced Elizabeth Spradley, our firm’s accounting manager to some of the returning attendees and conference administrators.  They continued as we participated in the day’s workshops and on through the welcome reception. Here are my highlights and takeaways from Day 1 of…  Read more

Another Great Day at Quickbooks Connect…Sharing my Takeaways

I hope you enjoyed my photos and takeaways as much as I enjoyed sharing with you.  Please do send feedback if these tips have resonated with you.  Please share in the comments if and how you have implemented them in your firm/business/practice, I hope you can tell from these photos that I have taken “selfie” taking lessons. Andrea & Ivette You can be an inspiration to your accountability coach when…  Read more

On the Road again, Sharing Insights from the San Jose Technology Conference I am Attending

I’m on the road again and sharing insights from the San Jose accounting technology conference I am attending. Liquid Breakfast Today’s conference takeaways started at breakfast, I sat down at a random table and the conversation started with “where are you from?” My computer was in my backpack so that “takeaway” was written on a napkin. Here are my highlights and takeaways from today’s conference: Show your clients you care.  It’s…  Read more

Your Vision Statement Can Guide You to a Successful Business!

I hope you were able to watch the vlog I posted last week. In the video I discuss the importance of a solid vision statement, one that you and your team create together and believe in. Here is the link to watch the video and read the post in case you missed it.  I hope it inspires you to take action. Have you been working to create a successful business/professional…  Read more

On the Road Again…Sharing About My Upcoming Conferences

On the road again, this week I am heading to San Jose for an accounting technology conference; in the next few weeks I am also scheduled to travel to Florida and Long Island for specialized industry and tax conferences with my staff members. Recently I have shared “best practices” for attending conferences and networking events, no need to reiterate, but follow these links for a refresher: Tips for getting the…  Read more

Want a Successful Business? Create a Solid Vision Statement to Guide You.

Do you want to stay on the path to creating the business you want? Once you can clearly identify your short term and long term goals, use your vision statement to keep you and your team on track. Watch our video below to see what we mean. I hope this video inspires you to take action… Then start creating your business plan using this complimentary resource: how to develop an…  Read more

Are You Taking Advantage of Technology to Eliminate Administrative Tasks?

I hope you were able to watch the vlog I posted last week. In the video I discuss how we “create time” by eliminating or reducing administrative tasks with the smart use of technology. My example of an easy win is to implement an automated payroll portal system that eliminates administrative time for the employees and the “boss”.  Implementing just this one administrative task can free up time, eliminate notices…  Read more

We Create Time…to Spend Doing What You Love

In our office, we like to say “we create time”.  We would much rather be out playing than writing checks, entering invoices or adjusting accounting records.  We figured that if we “hated” these tasks, our clients would too. I love the example of how adding an automated payroll portal system eliminated administrative time for the employees and the “boss”.  Implementing just this one administrative task freed up time, eliminated notices…  Read more

Do You Have the Right Tools in Your Tool Box to Create Time?

I hope you were able to watch the vlog I posted last week. In the video I discuss how we “create time” by eliminating or reducing administrative tasks through our technology bundle. Here is the link to watch in case you missed it. I hope it inspires you to take action I wanted to follow along on the same theme of creating time, to give you an excerpt from our…  Read more

It’s Conference Season Yet Again, Have You Created a Plan to Get the Most Out of Your Experience?

I was excited to contribute to the article “Short and Sweet Networking Tips for Your Tax Practice.”  which went live last week;  the URL is   https://taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com/practice-management/short-and-sweet-networking-tips-for-your-tax-practice/. I  love collaborating with other tax professionals about issues in our practices and our industry; again one of the advantages of attending industry specific conference. Here is my full submission which included several other important points that I feel work well for any industry: In…  Read more

3 Smart Practices for Business Success

If you’re like most small business owners, there are never enough hours in the day to complete every task on your list. Often you’re faced with prioritizing what you need to do right now – deal with a customer, meet a deadline, attend an event – and the things you know you should do for the ongoing growth of your business. Scheduling time to attend to these business activities on…  Read more

3 Ways Fantastic Customer Service Helps Grow Your Business

Small business owners know that to encourage and maintain a loyal customer base, they must stand out from their competitors. Offering outstanding customer service should be the cornerstone of any business and one of the best ways to create and maintain your customer base. How you and your staff treat your customers/patients/clients reflects on your entire business. Unfortunately, many small business owners focus a lot of attention on their products…  Read more

A 90 Day Action Plan Can Help You Reach Your Business Goals

Want Your Goals to Become Reality? Work With Your Accountant to Create & Implement Your 90 Day Action Plan.  A solid business plan encompasses short and long term goals: 1 year, 3 year, 5 year plus an exit strategy.  Staying on track and accountable can often seem overwhelming. In our office we find that the 90 Day Action Plans we set up with our clients are a great tool…  Read more

Know When to Hire An Expert, or … Just Say No to Breakfast

Think your taxes went up because of the new tax law, think again. It may be time to hire an expert! Caution! Don’t have breakfast at my house. Those who know us, know that even though the coffee is amazing, our refrigerator is usually bare. Of course if we know you will be visiting we will pick up bagels and cream cheese and you are in luck if we are…  Read more

Take a Successful Tax Minimization or Business Improvement Journey

It’s called DISCOVERY because that’s when we get to ask the questions…. WHO – are we focusing on your personal or business goals or challenges or all of the above WHAT – are those goals or challenges, let’s not focus on a solution “I need to set up a retirement plan”. Let’s focus on the goal “I would like to be able to retire in XX years and be able…  Read more

The Right Tool with an Accountability Coach Can Help You Reach Your Goals More Easily

Remember your software, like your workout equipment, is just a tool or piece of equipment.  My recommendation, when working towards your goal with your accountant who is a well-trained and knowledgeable accountability coach you will be more successful reaching your maximum profitability.  Compare this to working with your training coach or with a piece of exercise equipment which keeps you on track.  Watch my short video about my after tax…  Read more

Taking Some Personal Time Each Day Enables You to Focus on the “Tough Stuff”

Have you ever pondered over an issue and felt the stress building up only to find that the solution pops into your head while you are in the shower, on a long walk, or sitting in traffic? I was working with a couple on a retirement and relocation plan. During our discovery session, I could practically feel their stress over some very hard decisions they would need to make over…  Read more

Are You Overlooking Your Business Growth Assets?

We believe that your CPA firm, those professionals who review your accounting data and evaluate your processes should be tapped as your business coaching and strategic planning partners. When we work with our clients, our goal is to help create a plan that will achieve those goals while utilizing their existing staff. We start our journey with the intent of creating a business road map and write across our whiteboard:…  Read more

Thinking About The Life Cycle of Your Business

Best practices dictate that you work with your business accountant/advisory accountant to create a plan, operate according to that plan, and make your business the best it can be.  Once you make the commitment, work with your advisor to follow through with key deliverables.  It is hard work, but that hard work is worth it.  When you get ready to sell or merge, you will have a history of a…  Read more

Your CPA, a Great Asset as Your Business Advisor

Every business needs to transition at some point; why wait until you are ready to sell to review and update your business practices?  Work on your business now and enjoy a better quality of life, greater satisfaction and more productivity from your employees. I recently presented at a wealth management conference on a panel along with three (3) tax attorneys, our topic was “Selling Your Business.”  As the only CPA…  Read more

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