10 Winning Characteristics

Courage-not complacency-is our need today. Leadership not salesmanship. - John F. Kennedy

As we finish out the year, now is the perfect time to do a little self reflection and determine what you want from your career in 2008. If you’ve considered moving up in your current organization or perhaps within another, you must decide whether or not you possess the necessary leadership characteristics to truly lead your company to success. The following 10 characteristics are found in many great leaders. How many of them do you possess?

1. Positive. You don’t find many Negative Nellys in leadership positions. Most are extremely positive, looking for ways to see the glass as half full regardless of current circumstances.

2. Proactive. Leaders don’t wait for things to get better, they make them better. This requires you to be thinking of innovative ways to approach problems and devise solutions. You are active, not passive, about your job.

3. Good communicator. In order for a leader to be able to lead a team, he/she must be able to communicate clearly and effectively.

4. Open-minded. Some may think leaders have all the good ideas. That’s not true. Leaders are able to recognize good ideas, regardless of who came up with them. This requires them to be open-minded and willing to give credit where credit is due.

5. Confident. That’s confidence not arrogance. Coworkers are not interested in working for an arrogant leader, but they do appreciate being led by someone who has a quiet confidence about them, recognizing that they can lead a team to success.

6. Passionate. Enthusiasm can compensate for a lot of weaknesses. When a leader is passionate about the job they do, the direction they’re heading, and the goals they’ve established, it’s contagious, getting everyone excited about a project.

7. Respectful. It’s important that leaders treat everyone with respect, regardless of whether or not they deserve it. People want to work with a leader who shows them respect. And you’d be amazed at how much respect you earn by being respectful yourself.

8. Inspiring. Good leaders are able to communicate a vision that inspires everyone on the team. They can motivate team members who may have been resistant, and they move others to believe when they may have previously been doubtful.

9. Delegator. The best leaders recognize that they can’t, and shouldn’t, do everything themselves. They delegate well, divvying out tasks to team members who can adequately perform them. They also recognize that team members have unique skills and abilities that can contribute to the success of a team.

10. Motivated. You don’t become a leader by sitting back to watch others do all the work. Leaders are motivated to keep moving, to work hard and see the fruit of their labors.

Becoming a good leader is a process. Most work to develop these characteristics over time. So if you don’t possess all ten right now, it doesn’t mean you can’t lead, it just means you have a few things to work on in order to improve your leadership abilities. So focus on which character traits you need to develop and get moving! 2008 could be your year to shine as company leader.

“The quality of leadership, more than any other single factor, determines the success or failure of an organization.”
– Fred Fiedler & Martin Chemers, Improving Leadership Effectiveness

“People ask the difference between a leader and a boss . . . . The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert. The leader leads, and the boss drives.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

When your practice grows enough to sustain one or more employees, you must exercise good leadership skills in order to direct your staff with inspiration and focus. When a team feels that it’s lead by someone with powerful vision who values their participation and inspires them to do great things, the business will thrive and the employees will contribute greatly to its success. But as an accountant or bookkeeper, the leadership role may feel a bit oversized or awkward. Don’t let that stop you from running a winning business. You can develop into a strong leader as long as you are willing to focus on a few things. Here are 4 traits of influential and inspiring leaders. Try a few on for size.

1. Vision

Theodore M. Hesburgh, retired president of the University of Notre Dame, once said, “The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.” Leaders envision what can, but hasn’t yet, been achieved. They have a clear picture of where they want their business to go and how it can get there. Unwilling to settle for the status quo, leaders are striving for improvement, progress, and continued and amplified success. But more than that, good leaders can share this vision with their staff and communicate it in a way that makes it clear, reasonable, and most importantly, inspirational.

But how do you do that? First you must have a vision. What do you want your business to become? Be willing to release limitations and think big. Imagine that success in your mind. What does it look and feel like? Then create a strategy. What will it take to accomplish that vision? Design a 5-year, 10-year, or 15-year game plan and take the actions necessary to achieve it. And most importantly, develop a dialog about that vision and plan; share it with employees. Practice talking about your vision in a way that is dynamic and exciting.

2. Passion

I once taught part-time at a university. I didn’t have as much experience or expertise as my colleagues, but my students seemed to enjoy my classes. On teacher evaluations the reason became clear. The most popular response I received was, “The teacher is passionate about the subject.”

Passion is contagious. One way you can ignite your vision is with passion. If you’re truly excited about something, that excitement will spread throughout your office, touching everyone who works for and with you. If you don’t currently have something that impassions you about your business, find something quick. That passion will drive you, and your team, toward your vision.

3. Team Leader

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” Remember that you’re trying to lead employees in the direction you would have them go, not push them. We trust that you’ve already hired competent individuals who you trust to do the work you assign. You should do the best you can to motivate and inspire your employees with clear direction, and then let them do their work. Also remember that some of the best ideas will come from your own employees. Be open to their feedback and willing to learn from what they share.

4. Character

Employees are more likely to follow leaders they respect. And employees respect leaders with good character. In all that you do see that you’re honest, hard-working, reliable, equitable, and trustworthy.

While you may not feel like a leader right now, you can become one that employees would be proud to follow. Evaluate your current leadership style and see how you might implement two or more of the above traits. And give yourself the time to learn and improve. You may be surprised at the natural leadership instinct within you.

The Value of a Good Accountant:

How to Recognize Your Potential and Become a Priceless Employee

“It has been my experience that competency in mathematics, both in numerical manipulations and in understanding its conceptual foundations, enhances a person’s ability to handle the more ambiguous and qualitative relationships that dominate our day-to-day financial decision-making.” –Alan Greenspan

Look in the mirror and tell yourself, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.” We promise this article won’t be a humorless version of Stuart Smalley’s SNL’s daily affirmations. But sometimes it’s good to recognize your value, and accountants are valuable employees. But recognizing your value alone is not enough; accountants generally have untapped potential that can turn them into their employer’s best friend. How? Here are just five things that can turn you into a priceless employee.

1. Become the Profit Center Expert
What if you became the local expert on company profit? What if you were the employee coworkers and supervisors went to in order to find out what was working and what wasn’t? That’s an enviable position most would love to have. And as an accountant you are perfectly suited to become that Profit Expert.

You probably already know that accounting, marketing, and production are the three functions that must work well together to ensure business success. Any business function that acts independently of the other two can doom a company. For example, if production has not told marketing what it currently produces, marketing dollars are wasted. Likewise, if accounting does not tell production what products are profitable, the company losses money. The more closely these three functions work together, the more profitable the company will be. And because you are an accountant with access to crucial financial information, you can become the go-to person when it comes to profit. But the key here is you don’t want to wait until people come to you; begin communicating with marketing and production today! That will increase the profitability that you as an accountant are expected to monitor.

2. Practice Effective Communication
And that brings us to number two. Without effective communication skills, it’s fairly difficult to become the profit center expert. Unfortunately, accountants are stereotyped as quiet bean-counters who hide in back offices. In order to break that stereotype and become a more dynamic employee, you need to practice effective communication. Mingle around the water cooler, get to know your coworkers, and determine the best methods for sharing information with crucial players in the business.

3. Learn How to Use Accounting Software
If you haven’t t already, you should research different types of accounting software that would help you record and track crucial financial information. Finding the right software could help you be more efficient and, perhaps, more accurate. It could also help you produce valuable reports, thus encouraging your position as Profit Center Expert. Intuit’s QuickBooks Pro is the leading software used by small businesses. If your employer hasn’t yet purchased accounting software, you should suggest they do. And if possible, see if your employer will pay for software training.

4. Acquire Tax Knowledge
Accounting and tax services are no longer expected to be performed by the same person. Accountants don’t necessarily offer tax services and tax preparers don’t necessarily offer accounting services. But you increase your value when you can offer both. By acquiring tax knowledge you accomplish two things: one, you have more to offer your employer, and two; you can become a freelance tax preparer in your spare time.

Universal Accounting Center Can Help You Tap Your Potential
Universal Accounting Center (UAC) can help you accomplish all of the above, and it won’t take you years to do it. Learn more about training to become a Professional Tax Preparer, a QuickBooks Specialist, and a Profit Center Expert. In fact, UAC is currently offering a year-end special where all three training packages are bundled together for one low price. Increase your value as an employee and learn more today!

“I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.” - John Cage

In 2003, the Washington Post ran a story on the value of employees who take risks and share ideas for company improvement and growth. Randall Thacker, a 30-year old MBA student intern became an idea person for Morris Associates, Inc., a career management and outsourcing firm in the District of Columbia. Originally hired to explore growth options, Thacker’s ideas have gotten him noticed by the company president who says Thacker, “I’ll listen to a lot of what he thinks.”

Wouldn’t you like to be an employee whose boss listen s to a lot of what you think? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to determine that an employee who captures his boss’s attention is valued. And while most employees have ideas, some more outlandish than others, that’s not all it takes to become an idea person. Here are five tips for coming up with good ideas and presenting them in just the right way to get your boss’s attention.

1. Take Risks

“Risk-taking is the essence of innovation.” - Herman Kahn

To become the idea person you must take risks. Sharing your brilliant ideas with management can be an intimidating and even frightening task. But if you’ve done your homework, and believe your idea can positively impact your organization, the risk is minimal compared to the potential reward.

2. Educate Yourself

Once you’ve decided to become an idea person, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll begin coming up with ideas. But just wanting to come up with ideas isn’t always enough. You;ve got to educate yourself.

Read Widely - Everything from academic journals to pop-culture magazines can expose you to fresh ideas that can positively impact your organization

Attend Conferences - This will expose you to hot topics and new trends. You may find that your greatest aspiration is in listening to others share their great ideas.

3. Listen and Observe

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” - Epictetus

We’ve all been in meetings with the self-proclaimed “idea person” who does all the talking and none of the listening. Inspiration often comes with the exchange of ideas, and that requires one to listen and observe. What are some issues that need special attention? Is there a current problem that needs a solution? What division needs the most help? You can’t come up with any answers until you’ve heard the questions. You can’t provide any solutions until you’ve seen the problems. And don’t be afraid of other idea people - they can be your greatest source of insight.

4. Identify Idea-Shapers, Those Who Can Help Tailor An Idea For Your Organization

You may have an award-winning idea in your back pocket, but it does no good if not catered to your organization’s needs. In order to fime-tune even the best idea, you shoul look to idea-shapers within your organization. Senior employees, or even management-savvy individuals can often help you tailor your idea and your presentation of that idea to your boss and his/her interests.

5. Determine The Best Approach For “Idea Delivery”

Sometimes politics determine how well an idea is received. Does management expect senior officials to deliver the “ideas,” or does it appreciate input from all employees? You should also consider the best nethod for idea-delivery. Should it be presented in an email or memo, a powerpoint presentation in staff meeting or possibly a private meeting with your boss. The more you listen and observe, the better prepared you’ll be to give your idea the packaging it deserves.

Don’t be afraid to share your ideas. Randall Thacker, the intern showcased in the Washington Post, said, “You’ve got to be willing to take the risk that not all your ideas are going to be accepted. If you’re not honest with yourself, you’re useless.” you’ll find that some won’t be well-received, but as Robert H Schuller once said, ” Success is a matter of not quitting and failure is a matter of giving up too soon.” Even if one idea of every ten that you share produces positive results, you’re contributing to the success of your organization. And that alone make any employee valuable.

If you are searching for more to ingratiate yourself into your company mix, consider the education you will receive with Universal’s Professional Bookkeeper’s Program. Gain the knowledge of how it all works in the industry so you can better address those challenges that arise in your department. Check us out by clicking here.

Revving Up For a Job Search?

Here Are 5 Things You Should Do Before You Start

You dying to get that dream job? Everyone wants to find that perfect position that will give them the satisfaction both personally and on a professional level. You know what we’re talking about – it’s that job description you hope to find in the classifieds surrounded by an odd glow. And when you call to learn more you hear angels singing the hallelujah chorus in the background. But be honest with yourself. You probably won’t trade your current accounting or bookkeeping job in for something much better until you make a few changes. Wouldn’t you be willing to invest a little time and energy in yourself before starting the job search, especially if it could mean getting a better job with better salary? And it may not require as much as you think.

Search Your Soul
Cheesy, we know, but you should really ask yourself what you want to be doing with your life before you get another job that further anchors you to a profession. And if you’re not certain what your “life calling” is, take some self-assessments to determine your interests and personality traits and what occupations with which they best align. Perhaps you’re in the right profession but not the right position. You’re doing payroll when you want to be an accounting manager. We’re not saying that taking a test is the panacea to your career problems, but we are saying that taking the time to answer some questions about yourself may be what it takes to help you determine the direction you’d like to go.

Revise Your Resume
Of course you’ll have to update your resume. It’s always interesting to return to your resume after you’ve been employed for awhile; some may even wonder how they got hired with that resume in the first place. Research what makes a good resume and then make your resume a shining example. It’s generally in working on a resume that you recognize gaps: training and certification that you may lack or perhaps you haven’t adequately focused on the skills and experience you do have.

Remember it is the resume that will get you into the door. Find the right balance of being eye catching without being amateurish in presentation of your skills. Someone going through the interview process may only take 16 seconds or less on your resume, make sure you properly use the bulletpoints, the bolding, and the phraseology that will catch their eye and give them a reason to invest more time to digest your resume.

Research Companies and Organizations You May Want to Work for
Why let job openings dictate where you choose to apply? Be proactive and find organizations that appeal to you. You choose where you want to work and then, with diligence and persistence keep inquiring about your ideal position. What characteristics do they have? How will your employment there benefit your career? How may it work as a stepping stone to something even more spectacular?

Chart your own course; do the research that will help you find companies you would be happy to work for and then start your job campaign. The greater portion of positions in companies are filled by those who know someone, and never get into the “Help Wanted” ads in the newspaper. You may be surprised at what you find and how companies differ from one another in philosophy, benefits, salary, and other comparables. You may also be surprised at the advantage your research gives you come your job interview.

Cast Your Net
Now’s the time to look at your contacts and use networking to your advantage. If you haven’t put much time and energy into networking now’s the time to start. In fact, start yesterday! Look to associations you may be a part of, or chambers of commerce you joined, or the group you see at the gym. Networking is everywhere and you need to be looking for those opportunities to be able to make that crucial connection.

Recognize that just about every encounter is an opportunity to share what you do and possibly hand out your business card. Let close friends and family know that you’re thinking about a change and see what you might hear back. Perhaps in your networking you’ve met people who work for companies you’re interested in. See if you can find out more. Just be careful; if word gets back to your current employer that you’re unhappy and looking elsewhere, it will make a job transition difficult.

Enroll in a Training Program
You’d be surprised at how a few advanced courses, some specialized training, or a professional designation can bolster your resume and make you a very appealing applicant. Involvement in professional development shows that you’re serious about your profession and are ready and willing to run ahead of the competition. It also lets potential employers know that your skills have been proven in a rigorous educational environment.

UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper Program Can Help You Prepare
If you’re interested in a program that can get you more attention when you apply for jobs, Universal Accounting Center’s PB Program is for you. It will teach you the day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping needs of small business, enabling you to earn the Professional Bookkeeper Designation. This program will teach you the skills that enable you to skip over entry level positions and get right to those job opportunities that might take someone with traditional accounting training years to secure. And the professional designation looks nice on a resume. Take the time to get the job you really want. Enroll today!

5 Questions to Ask Yourself at the Start of a New Year

The start of a new year is a good time to sit back and evaluate your career and see what, if any, improvements need to be made. The last thing you want to do is be passive about your position and expect things to magically get better. Sometimes just asking yourself a few questions is all it takes to evaluate your career and push it back on track. Here are 5 things to consider:

1. Are you happy?
Sometimes it can be that simple. Are you happy? While every job has its ups and downs, you should find yourself generally happy with your job: happy to wake up in the morning, happy to see the people you work with, happy to tackle your projects.

If the answer is no…
If you’re not happy, pinpoint the source of your unhappiness. Perhaps you’re experiencing personnel problems. If so, consider whether or not that can be resolved by talking with the coworkers in question. Is it bad enough for you to request a change in team or a transfer? If you’re outright miserable, it’s time to look for another job!

2. Do you feel challenged?
You can love your work environment, your coworkers, and even your job description and still not feel satisfied. A challenging position enables you to learn and grow. It can also inspire and excited you.

If the answer is no…
If you’re not challenged, that means you’re not advancing in your career; you’re stagnate. You need to change that, and quickly. And that doesn’t mean you need to start looking for a new job. Schedule an appointment with your supervisor or boss and ask if you can take on new and different projects. Better yet, ask if you can work towards a promotion. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll earn more money, but it does mean you’ll learn new skills and take on more responsibility, and that’s always good for your career in the long run.

3. Are you getting paid what you’re worth?
When your salary measures up to your experience and skills you feel respected and valued as an employee. When it doesn’t, resentment often builds and you begin to feel like a drone.

If the answer is no…
You need to research what standard salary is for your skill-set to ensure that you’re not inflating your worth. Once you have a number to compare your current salary with, and can articulate how you benefit your employer, it’s time to talk with your boss. But do not be aggressive. Nothing turns an employer off more than a smarty-pants employee who demands a higher wage. Be calm, assertive, and willing to contribute more in order to get that raise. And don’t threaten to quit if you don’t mean it. There’s nothing wrong with a statement of truth: “If I can’t make more money with this company, I’ll have to look for a company that can pay me what I’m worth.” That is, there’s nothing wrong with a statement of truth if you’re truly ready to back it with action.

4. Does your current position have potential for upward mobility?
A job is rewarding when it offers you the opportunity to learn new skills and advance, earning more responsibility and a higher wage. You don’t want to work for years at a job that promises to remain the same, day after day, month after month, year after year. A career implies growth, and if you’re not moving upward, you’re not moving anywhere.

If the answer is no…
It’s time for you to look for a job that allows you to advance. Many employees will endure a lower wage and cubicle walls for the potential to work their way up in a company. If there’s no where else to go but out, maybe it’s time you packed your desk and found something more promising. But don’t jump ship before you’ve found yourself another boat, or at least a life raft. Since you currently have a steady job, use your spare time to find something truly fulfilling.

5. Are you on the right career track?
If you’ve always wanted to be an accountant, but took a job as a bank teller to pay the bills, you might find yourself frustrated in your day-to-day work activities.

If the answer is no…
If there’s no chance that you could advance to a position that aligns more with your career of choice, then it might be time to look for a new job. And if you haven’t taken the time to make any career goals, 2007 is your year. Without a target, it’s difficult to hit the mark and progress. Write down some career goals and imagine where you’d like to be in 2, 5, even 10 years. That will make it easier for you to take the necessary actions to achieve those goals. And if there is the possibility that you could advance to a position that puts you on your career track, you need to find out what it will take to do that. Talk with your supervisor or boss and share your aspirations. Generally speaking, they will be pleased to know they have an employee who wants to advance within the company. They’ll also be able to share with you what is required in order for you to attain that position you would like.

The worse thing you could do this New Year is assume that you have no power to change your current status as an employee. You are the one in control of your career, but first you must evaluate your current job and what it offers you. Once you take inventory, you decide where you’d like to go from there and take action to get where you’d truly like to be.

Take the first steps in the process of getting yourself ready for that next pay increase, promotion or position that you see yourself at! Click here to find out more about the training that will make the difference in your career.

5 Ways to Ensure Your Resume Makes the Proper Impression

You’ve probably heard a lot of tips about creating the perfect resume, but have you read about the most common mistakes? There are some things you can do that will ensure that your resume won’t go in the slush pile. And here are five:

1. Avoid long-winded prose
Some may believe that wordy text, especially written in first-person, will sound friendlier and more appealing than the sterile appearance of bulleted lists. The truth is, when potential employers are looking over your resume they want facts, not frill. They expect to experience your personality in the job interview not on your resume. The easier it is to find crucial information, the better. Bulleted lists enable potential employers to quickly scan resumes and find what they’re looking for.

2. Make sure your educational information is clear
While it’s important to make your resume as concise as possible, there is such a thing as over-abbreviating your educational information. Remember to include the school, city and state, and the time you attended. If you did not receive a degree, clarify how many credits you earned and in what area of focus. There’s also a rash of falsified-resumes going around; ensure that every detail you include on your resume is true and complete. Not doing so can cause you (and your employer) a lot of difficulty in the end.

3. Focus on accomplishments
Many resumes are duty-oriented rather than accomplishment-oriented. The truth is potential employers are more interested in what you have accomplishment than completed tasks. As you review your employment and educational history consider what you have accomplished and make a point to include those things on your resume.

4. Avoid overused resume templates
While you may think the resume template you’ve chosen is innovative and eye-catching, remember that potential employers see a lot more resumes than you do. Even if you choose a template you should change it up a little and make it your own.

5. Include key words
Remember that a resume is your opportunity to market yourself and your skills. The potential employer is your audience. Look at the job posting as you craft your resume and include key words they used to publicize the opening. As you use those key words to highlight your skills and abilities they will appreciate both your attention to their needs and the manner in which you showcase your employability. Not to mention, you will appear well-suited for the job.

Your resume is the first look many potential employers will get of you and your skills. You don’t want to eliminate yourself by making simple mistakes that have become fairly common. In attending to the five details above, you could get your resume the attention it deserves.

Where the “Opportunity Things” Are

Gain Control of Your Career

I was recently reading “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak to my kids for a bedtime story. I was stricken with how similar this well-known story line reflects what we all go through when pursuing our professional goals.

In the story Max is sent to his room, feeling constrained by those who are in authority over him. He imagines for himself a world where he has the control of what happens. How often have we, sitting in our little cubicles, had those same imaginings about our careers? How many of us have imagined what it would be like to gain the control necessary to steer our careers in the direction of success and happiness? How many of us have imagined that happy, yet seemingly unattainable position of empowerment, where we are in charge of our professional futures?

Most of us can imagine being able to dictate what we do, how we do it and for how much we will do it for. We imagine a place of business where we are not only invaluable to the company we work with, but an indispensable part of that company’s success. Or perhaps we imagine working for ourselves, determining our own schedules as we grow an accounting practice that we manage.

Unlike Max who, after creating his ideal world, went back to the reality of his own room, will we settle for this dissatisfying stage of our careers? Or will turn our dreams into reality?

The corporate world can really be a jungle, and for those in our field we need to be gaining the right tools that will help us clear a path to the places we would like to be in five, ten, or fifteen years from now. Where are your “Opportunity Things”? What tools can you use to take advantage of that next promotion, pay increase or business opportunity?

Universal Accounting Has the Answers

The Professional Bookkeeping (PB) Program is designed specifically for those in your situation, those who need the experience and training necessary to move forward in their chosen career paths. The PB coursework will supply you with the materials, training, and support that will enable you to become a certified Professional Bookkeeper. The PB Certification will get you the experience and knowledge that has been used by more than 30,000 others, just like you, to make their professional dreams a reality. This comprehensive program can be completed in as little as 60 hours, allowing you to learn at your own speed while acquiring the tools necessary to catapult you to the professional future you’ve been imagining.

Building your own accounting practice will require exceptional marketing skills. And when you couple the PB Program with the Universal Practice Builder (UPB) Program you practically have a ready-made business at your finger-tips. The UPB Program will train you in more than 12 proven marketing strategies, teach you how to get 15 to 25 qualified leads per month, help you create a customized marketing plan, and enable you to earn $30,000 more in annualized billings in just 12 months.

Isn’t it time to make a move on your career? What’s holding you back from turning your dreams into reality? What is separating you from those who have gotten where you want to be? Stop allowing others tell you how much you can make, what responsibilities you are qualified for and how far up the corporate ladder you can go. With Universal’s training and practical, hands-on experience, the steering wheel is in your hands, and you can decide where to take your career. Enroll now!

You finally scored that interview and are ready to dazzle and amaze the interviewer. How do you prepare? One way is to formulate answers to the most common interview questions. There are quite a few out there, but here are 10 of the most popular ones:

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
While this is the interviewer’s attempt to put you at ease at the start of an interview, it is not an open invitation to blather on and on about your childhood or to recap your resume. This is, however, your chance to highlight your experience, expertise, and skills, and how they relate to the position for which you are interviewing.

2. Why did you leave your last job?
Be honest. Whether you quit, were laid off, or fired, you need to be honest and upfront about it. But be brief and as positive as possible. Complaining about your previous experience will not leave a good impression. Conclude by saying that you are looking forward to new and rewarding work experiences.

3. Why do you want this position?
This is your chance to align your career objectives with this position. It is important that you display passion and excitement for the job and what you bring to it. And when discussing your qualifications, ensure that they align with the job description provided.

4. Why do you want to work here?
This question may seem similar to the one above, but there’s a fundamental difference. The previous question was asking about the position. This question is asking about the employer for which you might be working. The interviewer is interested in learning what you know about the organization and whether or not you value what it has to offer you. Be sure you’ve done your homework. What do you find appealing about this particular employer? If you can’t answer that question now, you should be prepared to do so before the interview.

5. Why should I hire you?
Some people feel uncomfortable selling themselves in an interview, but this is exactly what you need to do. And this particular question is begging for you to tell the interviewer how you can benefit their organization. What strengths do you have and how will they work to strengthen the company? As always, be sure that your points align with the job description.

6. What’s your greatest weakness?
The last thing you want to do is share your greatest weakness and leave it at that. Or worse, tell the interviewer that you are unaware of any personal weaknesses (This is a definite red flag: everyone has weaknesses, and if you claim to be unaware of them, you’re either lying or delusional and arrogant). This is your chance to demonstrate how you have acknowledged a weakness and worked to overcome it. For example, if you’re too detail-oriented, explain how you have worked to step back and see the big picture. Or, if you procrastinate, explain what you have done in order to motivate yourself to slowly work towards completing projects on time and on budget.

7. What are your salary expectations?
This is another question that requires a little research. Considering your experience and expertise, what is a realistic salary range? Search on the Internet to find out. And do a little research on the company as well. Is it reasonable to expect them to pay top dollar? Or should you expect a more modest salary range from this employer? But before you answer this question in your interview, ask if the interviewer can provide a salary range with which to base your response. If not, answer the question based on your research.

8. What do you like in a boss or supervisor?
This isn’t a trick question. The interviewer wants to know whether or not you are a good match for the individual supervising this position. I remember being shocked at an applicant’s response that he liked being micromanaged. And because I was not the type of supervisor who could micromanage my employees, and because he would not have felt comfortable working independently, it was exactly the answer I was looking for. So be honest (and positive) as you describe your ideal working arrangement.

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Regardless of your desire to be independently wealthy and touring Europe in 5 years, you should answer this question in regards to your career goals. The person asking this question is interested in knowing whether you have any goals and how ambitious you are regarding them.

10. Do you have any questions for me?
The answer to this question should always be “yes.” It shows that you have been attentive throughout the interview (unless, of course you ask a question that has been answered through the course of the interview) and know enough about the company to compose thoughtful questions. It also gives you the chance to illustrate your interest in the job; if nothing else, ask about the next step in the selection process. Will they be conducting second interviews? If not, when could you anticipate finding out whether or not they will be hiring you.

Note: If salary has not already been discussed, this is not the time to ask how much they pay; at this stage, when you focus on compensation it looks as if that’s your primary concern.

While job interviews can be stressful, you can prepare for the most common questions. Going in with positive, thoughtful, and genuine responses will give this potential employer a good impression of you and your abilities.

Now That You’ve Got Your Feet Wet

Recently we discussed what you needed to do to get yourself started in the right direction and moving your career path to where you want it to end up. You’ve put in the time and researched what you needed to, which type of a position within the accounting field most interests you. How much that person in that position stands to make and you have even looked up what type of experience you are going to need to be even eligible for your desired position.

You’ve identified what you have right now in terms of skill sets and experience already under your belt. And what work experience is just at-your-fingertips if you were to stretch yourself and step up to grasp ahold of it. You’ve started looking for those ways to network… find other like minded individuals who are in the profession that may have a different accounting responsibilities. You never know when you are going to make at least a lateral step from one company to the next. Always good to keep your options open for you.

We’ve also chatted about the training you can get to further your career. We’ve talked many times before about the pros and cons of going to a four year university, verses other forms of education. This fact is something that Universal Accounting took into serious consideration. What benefits do you receive with a four year university that makes you a better accountant? After several months of research the conclusion was found that if you were looking to be a big corporate accountant, then the four year option was for you. That’s only what they prepare you for, and teach you to do, in those accounting majors in the higher education institutions.

So What Benefit Can I Realize With Universal’s Training?
Very good question. It first all rests on the conclusion we came to when we started offering this training program. We saw that for most in the profession, accountants and bookkeepers were finding a greater opportunity for higher pay and advancement in those companies that were classified as small business operations. These opportunities have only grown over the years, from 85% of all businesses being in that small business category to approaching 91% of all business transacted are with companies with 100 employees or less.

Secondly, we found the then existing training available nationwide did little or nothing to prepare those who were in those businesses. A great need for the right accounting training was there for us to service. With Universal’s Professional Bookkeeper Program you are able to get hands-on instruction so that you can portray your accounts within a company the way they need to be for effective tracking and record keeping. In the training we teach what is the single best indicator of a company’s financial health.

Tested and proven techniques that will make your job easier and prove to your boss your expertise in helping the company to stay sound, financial viable and best yet, profitable! We’ve been down in the trenches, tested these strategies and methods in real time and have done the trial and error for you. Within 60-90 days you two can know, and put into practice what it took us years and years to perfect. Click Here to find out more about the training itself.

The “So What…” Factor
“So what does this mean for me?” you may be asking. What does the right and immediately applicable accounting and bookkeeping training going to do for your career? Frankly, it gives you more. The training affords you the ability to have the confidence in whatever may come your way in a company’s accounting needs that you know or can get the answer to it readily. This training allows you the opportunity to be able to apply what you’ve been trained in ANYWHERE to any company you come in contact with.

Most importantly, the Professional Bookkeeper Training Program gives you the luxury to be able to dictate what you can get paid, which position you will be able to occupy, and which type of lifestyle you can create for yourself and those around you.

The right training opens the many doors of accounting opportunities, and you choose for yourself which option to take!

Don’t Hesitate Another Day
Procrastination for your tomorrow is doing you no good. Take control of where your career is heading, don’t allow it to be dictated by someone else! Click Here to enroll today in what will be the difference in your earning potential, your job satisfaction and the type of things you will have access in doing throughout your life with your greater earnings. Enrolling in the Professional Bookkeeper Program gives you what you need tomorrow… today!

Want Another “Door” to Open to You?
UAC’s Professional Tax Preparer Certification May Be the Key. Check out Universal’s tax training is not only a great way to boost your resume, but it can also offer an added income stream come tax time. You’ll acquire expertise that most employers will appreciate, and you’ll be able to make money in your spare time as a tax preparer. You’ll also be able to earn a professional designation which is always a good selling point in any job interview. Don’t wait to make those career changes that you’ve been thinking about. Consider the PTP Certification your exit to success.