If It’s Accounting, It’s Universal:

Get to Know More About the Company That Will Change Your Career!

Universal Accounting is a company that is making a difference in the lives of their students! For those who are pursuing or looking into the possibilities of pursuing a career path into the Accounting, Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation services, you need to get to know more about what all Universal offers in their comprehensive training programs.

If you prefer onsite classroom study or looking for the benefits received on independent study, we have developed the programs that you will be able to get the one-on-one experience in your own home. The skills we have used over the course of the last 28 years, with the trial and error, the fine-tuning of accounting methods and strategies, and what we and thousands more have experienced running their own practices - we have provided to you the advantage to stay on top of your profession. Our coursework is designed to be exactly what you will be doing when you are servicing the biggest customer base available, the small business owner.

If you are looking for the knowledge, the skills, and the know-how to start or build your accounting or tax practice, or just looking to gain the essential skills to further your career in your place of business, Universal’s Programs are what you are going to need.

Click here to take the Video Tour of Universal and all that we offer to you, the accounting and tax professional to be the best in your field and to have the success in business and in your professional life that you are seeking.Our exclusive short term courses do just that!

Imagine staying on top of the latest in the industry and having access to the experts who can assist you through training? Imagine what you are learning can be applied the very next day at work? Imagine being able to keep the materials, and the reading for continued referencing as you take that path in Accounting, Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation? You don’t have to imagine too hard, because that is one of the many things you receive when you enroll in these specialized programs! Click here to get to know Universal Accounting.

Are You Ready For The Next Step?
Be in business for yourself, but not by yourself getting paid what you’re worth! Are you tired of thinking, “Why not me?” You have gotten this far in your search to do what you want to in your chosen career, take the next step. The time is now to be able to get the training and the change you desire in your professional life.

Be the Profit Expert Professional for Small Business! Don’t hesitate another day in getting the Accounting and Marketing Training that makes the difference. Click here to get more information on what you need to know about becoming the Profit Center Expert for small business accounting and tax!

Moving Forward After Losing a Job

That which does not kill me makes me stronger. - Nietzsche

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. - African Proverb

You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. - Walt Disney

Whether you get fired, laid off or are forced to resign, losing a job is difficult. It can cause an enormous amount of stress and a considerable financial burden if you don’t move through it quickly. But is it really possible to turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones? Can a kick in the teeth really, as Walt Disney once said, “be the best thing in the world for you?” While it may not seem so initially, you can turn this obstacle into an opportunity and make your life better because of it. Here are some things you should consider if you find yourself in this trying situation.

Take care of the basics
First of all, find out what your options are. Depending on the circumstance you do have rights and can and should take advantage of unemployment benefits. Contact the HR department and see what their policy is regarding severance pay, accrued vacation, sick leave, pension, benefits, and unemployment insurance. Also remember that in some cases the employer is responsible for giving you resources through which you can find new employment; often this includes access to a computer, printer, fax machine, and long distance phone services.

Achieve a positive outlook
This might be the most difficult thing to do once you’ve lost a job. But we assure you that it will make your journey much easier and enable you to adjust your career path more quickly, finding a destination that is pleasant and favorable.

You’ve probably heard the hype about “The Secret,” a DVD that talks about how to achieve success in every aspect of your life by thinking positively. “The Secret,” while inspiring, is not much of a secret. It’s simply the Law of Attraction, a concept that’s been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Like the Law of Gravity, it influences your life whether or not you believe in it. Plainly stated it goes something like this: your life is a reflection of what you think, what you focus on, and what you expect to happen. Take this opportunity to imagine a positive future filled with everything you desire, including the career of your dreams.

Assess your goals
Now is a good time to ask yourself what you really want from your career. Perhaps this job loss is simply the chance for you to readjust your journey and get back on the right path. Did you enjoy that job much in the first place? Had you been imagining a different future with a different company? Or had you been considering furthering your education and training? This is your chance to pursue goals that align with your true aspirations.

Consider self-employment
On that same note, if running your own accounting practice has been something you’ve wanted to eventually pursue, maybe now is a good time to look into that a bit more. Consider what you may need to do in order to accomplish that dream. Perhaps it includes continued training, certification, and marketing help, all of which Universal Accounting Center is happy to help you with.

Take action
Wallowing in your own pity won’t get you anywhere. Whenever faced with difficulty it’s important to do the following: appraise the situation, make a decision, and act on that decision. Once you’ve determined the best course of action, take it.

Of course in situations like this, it’s always easier to give advice than it is to take it. We recognize that suffering a job loss can be extremely difficult and taxing on you and your family. But we hope that you can hold yourself up and see that regardless of where you might currently be, the future is open, wide and full of possibility. And consider where you may be years from now looking back on what was potentially the best thing that ever happened to you.

Stay-at-Home Accounting and Tax Preparation? You Bet!

Victoria Richardson started her business in January of 2004, and has seen incredibly rapid growth and profit ever since. She only spent the first 6 weeks marketing. Since then, she has had all the clients she can handle. In fact, she tells us that she has had to cut down to “only” 18 clients so that she has the quality time that she wants to spend with her children. Victoria is a stay-at-home mom and Professional Bookkeeper.

USA Today notes that while there are no statistics on the number of work-at-home moms (WAHM), the National Association of Women Business Owners reports that there are more than 10 million female-owned businesses in the USA. Many of those are run by stay-at-home moms who manage their businesses and take care of their children from the comfort of their own homes.

Perhaps you’ve wanted to return home to raise your kids but have worried about losing that stable income. But there’s no need to worry. Accounting is a lucrative profession that can easily be done while taking care of your family. Just ask Victoria.

Victoria Richardson, AAHM (Accounting-at-Home Mom)

At the time Victoria started her own accounting business she had two young children: ages one and two months. She was having ethical conflicts with her employer and had reached a point where she wanted something different.

As she considered her options Victoria said:

. . . my list of wants and needs included: complete flexibility to be able to be with my children when they needed me, if they were sick, or something had come up where they needed to spend time with me. I needed to be making at least $60,000 a year. I needed to be able to have a lot of flexibility, and wanted to work an abbreviated work week. And what I found was that … there was nothing out there that was willing to give me that package. . . . I discovered that the only option that was available for me was to be able to start my own business.

The Professional Bookkeeper Program

But Victoria knew she needed more practical education. She had a bachelor’s degree in business, but didn’t feel she had the confidence to manage the accounts of multiple clients without hands-on training. So she decided to enroll in Universal Accounting Center’s Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Program; it would give her the flexibility she needed to finish the course quickly and at her own pace.

When she was close to completing the course, she decided to quit her full-time job and become an independent contractor. Her ex-employer became her first client, and within 6 weeks she had enough clients that she could stop marketing.

Victoria feels like she has the edge and doesn’t worry about competition.

I know what they want to hear. I know what’s going to make them feel comfortable, and I know what their concerns are. And the Universal Accounting Courses taught . . . a lot of it has to do with . . . it’s semantics . . . it’s the language that you present it in. When I talk to them about increasing their profitability, they listen. It makes sense to them. I can feel confident in helping them discover what problem areas they have, and what ways they can work through that, so it’s not a situation where I feel like, you know, anybody else is coming in and giving them that because, unfortunately, that’s what they’re looking for and they’re not finding it anywhere. I can come in and do it, and I can do it and save them money.

The PB Program not only teaches you practical, day-to-day accounting for the small business, but it also trains you on marketing your unique skill-set. It gives you the edge over the competition so that you can feel confident in your ability to provide a better service for your clients.

Adding Tax Preparation to the Mix

Ralph Barnes quit his job as an accountant for a radial tire chain 14 years ago. He performs regular accounting tasks for 20 clients and prepares, roughly, 150 tax returns every year. He’s as busy as he would like to be and enjoys a flexible schedule, spending leisurely time with his wife, adult children, and young grand children. What’s the benefit of adding tax services to your menu? Ralph says, “That’s where I make my living. I get 75% of my money from taxes.”

If you want to give your business the chance to truly excel, you’ll learn tax preparation and become the one-stop financial stop for all your clients. Everyone is required by law to file taxes; what an expansive base of potential clients!

Universal’s Professional Tax Preparer Certification can train you in the preparation of individual and business returns. And because their practical programs enable you to learn at your own pace, you can earn a professional designation in as much, or as little time as you feel is necessary.

In just a matter of months, you can be ready to launch your own accounting and tax practice. No longer need you feel confined to work a 9-to-5 job in order to pay the bills. You can enjoy the flexibility to raise your family, set your own schedule, and enjoy as much profitability as you wish.

For the next two weeks, Universal Accounting Center is offering this power package for one low price. The sooner you enroll the sooner you can enjoy the independence that comes from being your own boss. Take the initiative and Order Now!

References

“Job Opening? Work-at-Home Moms Fill the Bill” by Stephanie Armour, USA Today

Want to Start Your Own Business?

Here are 10 Things to Consider as You Work Toward Your Goal

If you’ve ever thought about taking the plunge and starting your own business, this would be a good year to do it. Brian Tracy, Chairman and CEO of Brain Tracy International, a personal coach and motivational speaker, called 2006 another extraordinary year. He says, “Fully 42% of people working in America are working in businesses that were started in the last three years. The small and medium business sector is creating more than 90% of the new jobs in America , and in other countries throughout the world. More people are making more money today than has ever occurred in human history. Economists are calling the 21st century the Golden Age of Mankind.” So if there was ever a year to have “start my own small business” as a New Year’s resolution, 2007 is the year to do it.

But how do you prepare for such a huge life change? You definitely don’t start by going into your day-job and giving your two-week’s notice. Starting your own business requires a lot of forethought and preparation. And here are a few places you could start:

1. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Pick a business by the toe.
Obviously your choice of business should be more calculated than that, but if you haven’t yet decided what your specialty will be, that’s your first step.

2. Research the market.
You should take the time to see what your competition is. Are you filling a void, or will you be entering a competitive market? Whatever the situation may be you should be well informed, and prepared to deal with it.

3. Plan with your family.
This is not the type of decision you casually break to your spouse. “Honey, guess what I did today?” In order to succeed, you’ll need your family’s support. Be sure to discuss all the pros and cons together before making any decisions, because in a crunch you just might need to enlist their help in order to succeed.

4. Set business goals.
What do you hope to achieve with your business. It’s important to articulate your goals so that you can make a plan to fulfill them.

5. Create a financial plan.
How do you plan to finance this venture? Perhaps you plan to move into the business gradually, working part-time before moving to full-time. In that case you may not need much financial backing. But you need to run the numbers before you make a move. Consider whether or not a small business loan might be necessary.

6. Moonlight.
Start your business on the side until it picks up enough momentum to warrant full-time attention. If you’re starting an accounting practice, this will give you the time to build a clientele that can sustain you once you quit your day-job.

7. Set a date.
Consider how long it might take you to grow your business to the point where you’d feel comfortable quitting your job. 3 months? 6 months? One year? And don’t work blindly towards that deadline. Determine “readiness indicators,” or symptoms that your business is healthy enough to go full-time. Will you need at least 10 clients? 15? 20?

8. Get the word out.
Face it. In order to grow your business to full-time status, you need to get clients. And in order to get clients you need to let people know you’re open for business. Once you’ve set a date, you need to let your current clients know that you’re moving from part-time to full-time status, and ask them to tell their friends and family and about your services. Pass out your business card, tell your own friends and family about your plans; take advantage of every opportunity to let people know about your business.

9. Get some training.
In most professions, employers invest in their employees by sending them to conferences, paying for continuing education, or encouraging special training. Invest in yourself by finding those resources that will help you advance in your field. If you’re starting an accounting practice, you’ll want certification to illustrate your expertise and put clients at ease. Obviously we believe that Universal Accounting offers the best accounting and bookkeeping training available, but regardless of what avenue you choose, we believe that investing in yourself professionally will increase your chances of business success.

10. Master necessary software.
If you’re planning on starting an accounting practice, mastering the proper software will help tremendously. Not only will you better manage your own financial information, but you’ll better manage the information of your clients. And chances are most of them are already using QuickBooks Pro to handle some aspect of their finances. 80% of small businesses use Intuit’s accounting software. And learning the software before you open your doors for business will shorten the learning curve and increase your productivity. UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide to QuickBooks Pro is a premier program that will enable you to use the software to your advantage. And along with the program you’ll receive free and unlimited email support from our staff.

However you choose to start this venture, be sure you do it with some forethought and planning. Once you’ve thought through everything, and done all you can do to prepare, then you can take the steps towards your dream.

The Small Business Forecast

A Great Time to Start a Small Business

Brian Tracy, Chairman and CEO of Brain Tracy International, a personal coach and motivational speaker, has called 2006 another extraordinary year. He goes on to say:

The US economy has grown 30% in the last three years, since the tax cuts, and has leaped from $10 trillion dollars to a $13 trillion dollar economy, the biggest in the history of the world.

The OECD in Paris has rated the US as the “Most entrepreneurial country in the world.” Fully 42% of people working in America are working in businesses that were started in the last three years. The small and medium business sector is creating more than 90% of the new jobs in America , and in other countries throughout the world.

More people are making more money today than has ever occurred in human history. Economists are calling the 21st century the “Golden Age of Mankind.”

And the forecast looks great for the upcoming year! What better time to start your own small business and see it succeed. Now’s the time, when so many other small businesses are getting off the ground to provide a service and product each and every one of them need? If you’ve been waiting for a good time to move forward on your own dream of becoming an entrepreneur, today’s the time!

Bookkeeping and Accounting Services
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2008 accounting jobs will increase by 20%! In addition they state, “Demand for full-charge bookkeepers is expected to increase as they are called upon to do much of the work of accountants. Those with several years of accounting or bookkeeper certification will have the best job prospects.”

Perhaps you currently offer tax services to a handful of clients in your spare time, during tax season. Perhaps you run a tax service full-time, year-round. Whatever the scenario, you can grow your business by offering accounting services, thus becoming a full-service financial provider. If you’ve found it difficult to keep busy year-round, adding accounting services to the menu will immediately change that. Some of your current clients will want you to perform accounting tasks as well. And when your new clients realize you also file personal and business returns, they’ll also enlist your tax services. If you were looking to grow your business in the upcoming year, now’s the time and accounting’s the way!

UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper Program
Not only would you ride your own small business wave by opening your own accounting and tax service, but you could also ride the waves of other small businesses in your community. How? By offering small business accounting!

Over 85% of the opportunities in the accounting field are within small businesses. Universities prepare their students for corporate accounting which doesn’t address small business needs. More than 50% of small businesses fail, and much of that failure can be attributed to lack of accounting expertise. That’s where you step in. With expertise in small business accounting, you can help small businesses succeed.

At Universal Accounting, we understand the needs of the small business like nobody else. We’ve helped people like you advance their career in small business accounting for over 25 years. The Professional Bookkeeper Program is designed specifically to address the needs of small businesses, and Universal Accounting Center ’s small business accounting course is the most complete of anything else offered today. And depending on your schedule and situation, it will only take you 60 hours to complete. Imagine earning a professional designation in less than one month!

UAC Can Also Help You Get Clients
One of the greatest challenges for many small business owners comes in the marketing. You may love working with numbers but groan at the thought of promoting your services and expertise. Universal Accounting Center understands this struggle and can help you eliminate it.

UAC has developed a turn-key marketing solution which will enable you to grow your business with our proven system. You could work for years on a marketing plan, hitting and missing, only to find your business growing at a snail’s pace. Imagine learning which marketing strategies work in just 48 hours!

The Universal Practice Builder is a 2-day workshop designed to teach you the art and science of getting clients. Top your Professional Bookkeeper Designation off with this guaranteed program where you’ll walk away with over 12 marketing strategies that you can implement immediately.

It Is The Year of the Small Business
Don’t wait another day to realize your dream. If you’ve always wanted to run your own business, today’s the day to start. But don’t go blind! If you want to be fully prepared, then enroll in UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper Program and the Universal Practice Builder Workshop! There’s no better investment to make than in yourself! This next year promises to be a banner year for the small business owner. Will you be one of those basking in the success?

10 Start-up Tips: How to Get Your Business Up and Running

(Part II of a II Part Series)

Sometimes a lack of knowledge is paralyzing. If you’ve waited to start you accounting practice because you’re unsure how to go about it, this article is for you. Last week we discussed the following five startup tips:

1. Name Your Business
2. Choose Your Business Structure
3. Get to Know Your Competition
4. Be Legally-Minded
5. Tread Lightly (financially, that is)

This week we’ll finish our discussion by addressing the final five startup tips.

6. Pick a Business Location (even if it’s just in your basement)
In real estate they say what matters most is location, location, location. The same applies to your business. The most important element in picking the right location is finding a place that will allow you to be productive and focus on your work. If you’ve decided to lease an office, take the time to research an appropriate area. Can you find a business district that compliments your services? Can you realistically afford to lease an office space right now? Is there a room in your house that could be dedicated to your new business? Weigh out the pros and cons and pick a place that works for your current situation and budget.

Your office should be a conducive work environment, well organized and professional. For more information on setting up your office, read our two-part series on office organization.

7. Create a Business Plan
It’s a cliche’ because it’s true: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Robert Krummer, Jr., chairman of First Business Bank in Los Angeles says, “The business plan is a necessity. If the person who wants to start a small business can’t put a business plan together, he or she is in trouble.”

A business plan is a must for those who are seeking funding from investors or loan approval for their small business; it should convince readers of your business’s validity and profitability. It also helps you articulate your business goals and objectives; later you can use your business plan to assess your progress.

Business plans generally include the following:

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Descriptions of products and/or services
• Market and sales analysis
• Strategy and implementation of your products and/or services
• Management summary
• Financial plan

That may sound overwhelming, but you’ll be surprised at how creating a business plan will help you better define your business and give you the plan necessary to succeed.

8. Create a Marketing Plan and Get to it!
If you don’t have a marketing plan, chances are you won’t get many clients, and if you don’t get many clients, your business will fail. Even if you’ll be marketing on a shoestring budget, you need to know what marketing strategies you will use so that you can begin using them! A marketing plan should define or address the following:

• Target market
• Marketing objectives
• Market analysis
• Marketing strategies
• Budget

9. Hire Well, Fire Quickly
If you’re hiring a staff, even if it’s small (one or two people), you’ll want to get the best employees possible. Don’t settle for an average applicant simply because you’re anxious to get started or doubt you can find someone better. Hiring superior support staff makes for a superior business. Ask the right questions, call their referrals, and perform background checks if you feel it’s necessary. Finding the right employees will save you a lot of time and money in the end.

If you realize that you’ve hired the wrong person, don’t wait for things to work out. While giving employees the time to adapt and “learn the ropes” is appropriate, giving them the time to drain your energy and resources is not. If your gut says it’s not going to work, chances are you should let the employee go and start looking again.

10. Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst
It’s good to be positive; it’s fatal to be blindly optimistic. Positive thinking will get you far; the more you envision your own success, the more likely you’ll be successful. On the other hand, while it’s great to hope for, and even expect the best, it’s important to prepare for difficulties with contingency plans. What will you do if your loan doesn’t fund? What will you do if your spouse can’t pick up the financial slack? What will you do if you lose bread and butter clients? You can’t anticipate every obstacle, but by preparing for the most obvious you won’t be devastated when problems arise. Just be sure you also celebrate your successes.

Information is power and we hope that by learning more about starting your own business you feel empowered to get busy and see it happen!

Financing a Small Business

Applying for a small business loan can be daunting, but we can literally walk you through the process and explain every step along the way. Universal Accounting Center’s book entitled Financing a Small Business is packed with clear-cut instructions and terrific resource materials that will make creating a loan application package easy. It even includes a sample loan package that you can use as a model. This book is a must-read for people like you interested in financing options. Order this opportunity today!

Been Thinking of Starting Your Own Business?

Here are 10 Start-Up Tips That Will Help (Part One of a Two-Part Series)

Are you hesitating to start your own accounting practice simply because you’re not sure where to begin? We know how intimidating starting a new business can be. You may feel like you’re forever sitting on the shore of your real life, too timid to leave your beach towel to test the waters. Often a little knowledge can empower you with the confidence to move forward and get started. Here are five of 10 start-up tips to help you do just that. Come on in - the water’s fine.

1. Name Your Business
Some suggest that when starting a diet, you should start by fasting; seeing pounds come off quickly inspires dieters to continue. Naming your business can be like that dieter’s fast; creating the name of your business could be just the inspiration you need to move forward (and it’s less painful than food deprivation). Will your name be part of the business name? Will you include a motto or slogan?

Recognize that naming your business is just the beginning of creating a brand for yourself. Before you brainstorm a business name, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are your competitors calling themselves, and how can you differentiate your services and stand out? (see #3).
• Who are your potential clients and how do you want them to view you?
• Will you limit your ability to expand by localizing your name?
• Will your name be memorable and easy to refer?
• Will your business name excite and inspire you?

2. Choose a Business Structure
There are many business structures to choose from when starting your own business. The entity you choose depends on your objectives. If you’re partnering with a friend or family member, you’re looking at different structures than those going into business by themselves. There are many factors to consider when deciding which structure is best for you. To learn more, read our article on “The Pros and Cons of Different Business Entities.”

3. Get to Know Your Competition
Knowledge is power. This is the perfect example of how a little knowledge can catapult you to the front of the race. Find out what your competitors are calling themselves, what services they offer, and who they’re marketing to. You can only stand out from the competition when you know who your competitor is and what they’re about.

4. Be Legal-Minded
This is somewhat related to number 2. It’s important to start your business off on the right foot. File the proper papers and pay the required fees. It’s also not a bad idea to consult with a lawyer to ensure you’re headed in not only the right direction, but a law-abiding one. Also, as you begin working with clients, document your correspondence and save your files.

5. Tread Lightly (financially, that is)
Perhaps you’ve been saving money to use when you start your business. Perhaps you’re on a shoe-string budget and don’t have much wiggle room. Regardless of how fat your pocketbook is, you should be frugal, especially at the birth of your startup. Prioritize your spending, and avoid buying things you don’t need.

Don’t overwhelm yourself. Take your time and do it right. If you get anxious and move too quickly, you might miss an important and crucial step. But remember, procrastinating your future, procrastinates your success.

Return in two weeks when we will cover the final 5 startup tips:

6. Pick and Prepare a Business Location (even if it’s just in your basement)
7. Create a Business Plan
8. Begin Marketing, NOW!
9. Hire Well, Fire Quickly
10. Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Universal Accounting Center Can Help You Prepare

Are you ready to start your small business today? Consider how earning $80,000 a year with your own accounting practice might contribute to a wonderful and bright future for you and your family! Would you like to learn how Universal Accounting Center can help? Order our video, “Start Today, and Have Your Own Bookkeeping Service” for just $9.95 and discover what your future could hold! For less than $10 you can change the course of your life and start living your dream, today!

Relocation 101:

How To Relocate Before You Find Another Job (Part I of II)

So you’ve decided that you want to work somewhere else. You’re tired of the local rat race and want a change of venue, new scenery, a fresh start. This article is for those who know exactly where they want to live, but have yet to find a job there. What’s the best approach to take in order to get the job you want in the city you’ve chosen?

First thing’s first. If you’ve already chosen a location, you should calculate its cost of living. Sometimes people find themselves in a bind when they haven’t done the math, and they’re in a new city with a higher cost of living without the salary to sustain it. Determine the impact cost of living will have on your move long before you pack the UHaul.

Which Comes First, the Relocation or the Job Offer?
It’s no secret that finding work in a city where you live is much easier than finding work in a city miles away. It’s easier to schedule interviews, research companies, locate job prospects, and network. But it can be difficult to fund a job search in your dream city when you don’t have a job, and the average job search can take anywhere from 3 to 5 months. So which comes first, the move or the job?

Funding Your Job Search
If you’ve chosen to move first, then here are three ways to pay the bills while you look for your dream job in your dream city.

Do temp work. Temp work has more advantages than you might imagine. First, you can earn money while looking for your dream job. Second, you can sample different organizations to get a feel for what you’re looking for in an employer while showcasing your skills. Third, you’ll have a greater opportunity to network. And fourth, you’ll have the flexibility to schedule work around your job search.

Freelance. Consider doing freelance work until you find a job. This could also provide you with networking opportunities while bringing in the money to pay your bills.

Study your spouse’s benefits. Sometimes employers offer employment assistance programs that help the spouses of relocated employees find new jobs. These programs often have access to exclusive job listings.

Tips for an Effective Job Search
Once you’ve figured out how to fund the hunt, you need to start looking. Here are three tips that will jump start your job search.

Establish local contact information. The first thing you should do after moving is obtain a local address and phone number to share with potential employers. It will be difficult for them to schedule interviews if they don’t have any contact information.

Find local accounting associations. Often cities will have accounting associations that can provide you will valuable leads.

Network. This should happen long before you move and the minute you pull into your first local gas station. Look for opportunities to meet with other accounting professionals so you can get those leads you’re looking for. Also be sure to tell your friends and family about your intentions; you’d be surprised at how many people know people in your dream city.

Once you figure out how to fund your job search, you can take the time you need to find the job of your dreams. Be sure to research local companies and hand-pick the employer you want to work for. And be patient; settling for a mediocre job may prevent you from the opportunities you would truly enjoy. Happy Hunting!

Come back next week to learn how to search for a job in cities outside your residence.

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!

Relocation 101: Finding a Job outside Your Residence

(Part Two of a Two-Part Series)

While most would admit it’s much easier to find a job when you search within the city where you reside, it is possible to find one outside your current residence. Whether you’re looking within a specific area or for “anyplace but here,” you can find what you’re looking for as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Here are 7 things you can do to increase your chances of finding work in another city:

1. Use online job search engines

The internet has made the world a much smaller place. Many companies post jobs to sites like www.monster.com and www.careerbuilder.com. In fact, there are even job sites that specialize in the accounting profession like www.jobsinthemoney.com and www.accounting.com. You should start searching these sites to see if you can find a good match for you.

2. Search want-ads

But not all companies use the internet when looking for job applicants. Many still post openings in the want-ads. And just because you live out of town doesn’t mean you still can’t access this valuable job-search tool. Here’s an internet site where you can find want-ads in just about any city: http://www.newspapers.com/

3. Consider working with a recruiter

Good recruiters are well-connected when it comes to job openings. They will be aware of more opportunities than you would find in the want-ads or through the internet. Unless they work for a specific company, you’ll need to pay them a flat fee to match your skills with the type of employer you’d like to work for.

But the cost is often well worth it. If they do work for a specific company, you need to realize that they’re working to fulfill the company’s needs rather than yours.

4. Post your resume and mention your desire to relocate

You’ll get even more exposure as a potential job applicant if you post your resume to the internet. This can be done on most job search sites. Potential employers that you would not have considered may contact you in reference to a position. This can multiply your options.

5. Get help from contacts, and network any chance you get

Now’s the time to look at everyone you know, professional and personal contacts alike. Let everyone know of your plans to change jobs and see what leads you get.

Also be sure you continue to network, especially when traveling for job interviews, etc. It will be the perfect time for you to meet other professionals who might be aware of job opportunities that match your interests.

6. Reduce employer risk

You become much more appealing to potential employers if you can reduce the risk they take in hiring you. Tell them upfront of your desire to relocate, and if you’re in the process of moving, let them know. This will assure them of your intention to move. And if you can afford it, let them know they need not reimburse you for the cost of the move. Many companies will offer a relocation package that will pay a certain amount of your moving costs. But this makes you the more expensive candidate and may deter some employers from hiring you.

7. Offer unique skills

One of the best ways to get a leg up on local competition is by having unique skills or job-related credentials. Consider ways you might enhance your resume, because employers will probably hire local applicants unless you have something more to offer.

UAC’s Professional Bookkeeper Designation Can Help

In less than 60 hours you can complete the Professional Bookkeeper Course which will train you in the practical application of small business accounting. The Professional Bookkeeper Program also offers you the opportunity to earn a professional designation, which will strengthen your resume, showcasing what might give you the lead on the competition. Don’t wait to increase your value to potential employers. Learn more about the PB Program today. Purchase our introductory video for $9.95 or watch online for free.

It is possible for you to get a job outside of your current residence, you just have to work a little harder to find what you’re looking for and to convince potential employers that you have more to offer than the candidate down the block. Don’t be intimidated by the challenge. Get busy and get hired!

Discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation. - Oscar Wilde

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. - George Bernard Shaw

We’re one month into the New Year. Is it what you had anticipated? Are you happy in your job? Do you see yourself continuing to learn and grow and make more money? If you didn’t answer yes to those three questions, than you need to reevaluate your career and determine what changes may be necessary.

If you’re unhappy or dissatisfied with your current position the worst thing to do is wait it out, to sit in your cubicle, think about how frustrated you are and complain about it. We’re not recommending you make a rash decision and quit your job tomorrow. But we are suggesting that now is the perfect time to assess and determine the course of your professional future.

Reflect
There are three methods to gaining wisdom. The first is reflection, which is the highest. The second is imitation, which is the easiest. The third is experience, which is the bitterest. - Confusius

You need to take the time and assess your current position. What about it do you enjoy? What about it do you wish were different? Are you in the right industry or do you need to reconsider occupations? In order for you to best prepare for an ideal future you need to consider all your options, not just those that are most convenient. Think about starting your own accounting practice or earning additional income as a tax preparer. Reflect on those things you enjoy and explore all the career possibilities that exist within that field. And if necessary, do a little research. Talk to professionals in your industry of choice and see what advice they offer. It’s important that you not let your current “rut” determine the course of your career because the longer you stay in a job you don’t enjoy the more difficult it is to extract yourself from that dreary cubicle.

Refocus
Focus on your potential instead of your limitations. - Alan Loy McGinnis

Once you determine whether or not you want to stay in your current position you can refocus your attention. What do you need to do to accomplish your career objectives? Do you need to focus your energy and attention on earning a promotion, finding a new job, getting additional training, or exploring financing options for that accounting practice you would like to start? After considerable reflection you should be able to determine where next to focus your professional efforts. Consider making a To-Do list indicating what you must do in order to achieve your career goals.

Act
Never by reflection, but only by doing is self-knowledge possible to one. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

You can reflect and plan all you want, but nothing happens unless you act. It’s important that after you reflect and refocus you take the necessary steps to realize your goals. If necessary, make them small and simple. Pace isn’t as important as progress.

If you don’t take the time to evaluate your career, chances are you will keep plodding along at the same pace and in the same rut. You deserve to enjoy your life’s work, and now is the perfect time to reflect and assess your current position. Job satisfaction is a crucial element in your overall satisfaction of life. Take some time today to reflect, refocus and act!