Accountant and Bookkeeper Articles

While the country bemoans the current economic crisis, those with accounting experience need not be alarmed.  Inflation may rise, the housing market may flounder, and stocks may continue to fall, but accounting professionals can count on one thing: job security.

According to Robert Half International, the largest specialized financial recruitment service, the hiring of accounting professionals is intended to increase in the last quarter of 2008.  Max Messmer, chairman and CEO, says, “Businesses need a strong financial function to see them through all economic cycles.  This has created ongoing demand for accounting and finance staff with specialized abilities and expertise. In particular, firms seek staff and senior accountants, financial analysts, and internal auditors.”

The article goes on to state that most hiring will occur in the small business sector-those organizations with just 20 to 49 employees.  Thus, candidates with expertise in small-business accounting would fare best in the current job market.

Expertise in Small Business Accounting

Most universities and training programs prepare graduates for work in Fortune 500 companies.  This means that the majority of accountants are unfamiliar with the day-to-day accounting tasks required by small businesses.   This is an unfortunate situation considering that 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years, and much of that failure is attributed to poor financial management.  These businesses need an expert, a specialist trained to cater to their unique needs.

Over 25 years ago, Alf Bostrom recognized the lack of training available for accountants working with the small business sector; as a result, he established Universal Accounting Center.  UAC’s flagship course, the Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Program, is designed to prepare accounting professionals for the unique demands of small businesses.  Not only is this course taught by seasoned professionals, but it is based upon years of experience preparing bookkeeping professionals for this valuable niche market.

The course consists of the following four modules:

Module 1-Accounting Made Easy.  You will master the tools, procedures, and underlying principles that make up the bookkeeping processes of all businesses.  You will also understand the core building blocks of accounting and bookkeeping.

Module 2-Practical Small Business Applications.  You will apply your understanding of the core accounting principles to specific industries.  You will learn to set up books from scratch, do payroll like a seasoned pro, and much more.

Module 3-Advancing your “Account-Ability.” You will learn sure ways to set up complete bookkeeping systems and manage the books for a variety of more sophisticated industries.

Module 4-Building a Successful Accounting Service. You will learn the steps to finding paying clients.  Upon completion of this module you will be able to start and grow an accounting practice following a proven program tested and perfected since 1979.

Whether you’re interested in earning a promotion at work or if you would like to start your own bookkeeping service, this course will see that you accomplish your career goals.  And if you pass the final PB exam with a score of 90% or greater, you’ll earn the Professional Bookkeeper designation. Earning professional certification will enable you to best take advantage of these hiring increases.  It will give you both the expertise and confidence necessary to secure your next accounting position.

This is an amazing window of opportunity.  Don’t allow it to close on you!  Take advantage of current market trends and enroll in the Professional Bookkeeper Program today!

References

“More Accounting Jobs Expected in Q4.” 4 Sept. 2008 SmartPros

Asking for a Promotion, Raise, or Additional Perks

In preparation for this article on career negotiations, last week we discussed the different perks you can request if a salary increase isn’t currently realistic.  This week we will help you prepare for that important meeting where you actually talk with your boss about that promotion, raise, or additional perks.

If you’ve reached the point in your career where you want to negotiate for better compensation, we’re guessing that in evaluating your contribution to your employer you’ve determined that you have indeed earned what you hope to request.  The last thing you should do is wake up one morning and decide to ask for a promotion simply because you’re in the mood for one.  You must first demonstrate that you have earned it.  Then, and only then, can you follow these seven steps:

1. Consider your employer’s needs

Your appeal for a promotion will go over better if you have considered your employer’s needs and how your contribution enables them to better accomplish their objectives.  The more integral you are to their mission, the more valuable you are as an employee, and the more likely you are to receive a promotion.  In communicating how much you’ve contributed to the company and how much more you’d like to contribute, your boss will be much more receptive to your requests.

2. Express yourself

Before that important sit-down meeting with your boss you want your employer to realize how valuable you are.  Take on additional assignments, express your enthusiasm for your position, and take the time to notify your boss when you have achieved anything notable.  This will enable management to recognize your contributions and how much you benefit the collaborative work environment.

3. Pick a good time.

Don’t go to your boss during the busiest time of the year.  Wait for a time when your boss is relaxed and ready to respond to you positively; this applies to the time of year and even the time of day.  It’s also a good idea to ride a wave of success into your boss’s office; it may be best to schedule “the talk” after you’ve made some significant contributions that are a good measure of your success.

4. Know what you want

Before you begin negotiations, share your achievements with your boss, measuring your success with tangible numbers.  When you do begin making requests, be sure you know what you want, and be specific.  How much of a raise are you expecting (be realistic)?  Or were you more interested in being promoted to a different position with more responsibility?  Perhaps, after last week’s article, you’ve decided to request different perks that would enable you to better enjoy your job.  Whatever you’re interested in, be sure to ask for it specifically.

5. Have a backup plan

This article is called “Creative Career Negotiations” for a reason.  When you talk with your boss about enhancing your employment, the discussion is likely to include give and take.  You probably won’t be handed your request on a silver platter.  In the case that you need to back off your request, be sure you come ready with a Plan B.  Try not to walk away empty-handed.  Is there something else you could request in the interim?  Perhaps permission to attend a high-profile conference or receive additional training may be more reasonable requests at this time.

6. Be graceful, whatever the response.

Remember that you shouldn’t end the discussion if your boss doesn’t offer you the promotion.  It is the perfect time to ask for feedback.  What more would you need to do to earn the promotion?  Is there a possibility of enhancing your compensation in the future?  Walking out of the office and slamming the door won’t do you or your boss any good.

7. Know when to leave

There are definitely times when you should stay in a job regardless of whether or not your employer is able and/or willing to enhance the compensation you receive for it.  But there may also come a time when you must evaluate your standing and determine how long you’re willing to work for your current pay and benefits.  There is such a thing as a dead-end job, and if you feel that describes your current position, there may come a time for you to leave and look for something better.

Enhance Your Promote-ability

You can increase your chances for receiving a promotion by enhancing your skills and earning professional certification.  The Professional Bookkeeper Program will teach you small-business accounting and train you to act as your employer’s Profit Expert, enabling you to help the company make informed business decisions that will increase profitability.  Does that sound like a skill that will increase your promote-ability?

When you enroll in the Professional Bookkeeper Program you learn the following:

• The key components of the accounting process including General Ledgers, Specialty Journals, and Subsidiary Ledgers.
• The various accounts used by specialty industries such as Flooring Payable, Contracts in Transit, and Bank Reserve Accounts.
• The assessment of a company’s financial position.
• The uses and methods of calculating depreciation and allowance for bad debts.
• Various collection techniques for slow-paying accounts that will improve success.
• How to master debits and credits through recording hundreds of daily and monthly transactions.

Once you pass the Professional Bookkeeper exam with a score of 90 percent of above, you will also be able to add the PB designation to your name and resume.  Don’t wait to enhance your chances of promotion.  Enroll in the Professional Bookkeeper Program today and begin enhancing your promote-ability.

No Salary Increases?  Ask for Perks

With talk of a recession, negotiating a higher salary might be difficult.  But you don’t have to give up your hopes of earning a promotion just because the market seems to be slowing down.  One way to approach negotiations is by seeking job perks.  Depending on the perks you secure, they might be worth more than a raise would be.  Here are 5 things you might consider requesting:

Health benefits.  If you already have health benefits, this is non-negotiable.  But if you’ve been working without, this would be a good “perk” to ask for, especially if you’ve proven yourself valuable to an employer.

Increased vacation days. Paid time-off is a great perk.  While this does cost an employer, it’s considerably less than a substantial raise would be.  Consider asking for 10 to 14 additional vacation days per work year.

Flexible work schedule. This costs your employer nothing.  However, it can be difficult to ask for greater flexibility in your work schedule simply because your employer doesn’t want to allow every employee the same luxury.  But don’t let that stop you.  Depending on your personal situation and work history, you may have proven yourself trustworthy enough to earn an unconventional work schedule.

Permission to telecommute. Like a more flexible work schedule, this one may be avoided by some employers.  But for the past few years, many companies have come to realize that affording employees greater work flexibility makes for a more productive work environment-even if for some employees that environment is at home.  Before you approach an employee for this perk, have your ducks in a row.  Is your home a suitable work environment?  Do you have all the necessary equipment to function from home (internet connection, fax, and computer with all the necessary software)?  If you approach your employer requesting costly equipment for your telecommuting work space, you may find yourself at an instant disadvantage.

Training.  This perk is a win-win.  You receive the training necessary to boost your resume and your employability while your employer gains a more skilled employee.  Universal Accounting Center has a number of training programs you might consider.  All would increase your value to an employer; all would be a valuable personal investment as well.

Introduction to the Professional Bookkeeper Program

The Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Program is one of those courses that will increase your employability.  This course will teach you everything you need to know about accounting, and more specifically, small-business accounting because most organizations have less than 500 employees.  Most accounting professionals have been trained in corporate accounting which doesn’t address the unique needs of these small businesses.

Not only that, but in taking this course you could also receive professional certification, evidencing to current and prospective employees your newly acquired expertise and skills.  And if you approach your employer, you may find that they are more than willing to pay your tuition.  To learn more, watch our video “Introduction to the Professional Bookkeeper Program.”  Order the video today or watch it online for free.  This may be just the convincing your employer needs to enroll you in this valuable course.

Come back next week when we’ll share tips on negotiating for a promotion, a raise, or additional perks.

7 Tips in Juggling Professional and Personal Responsibilities

Whether you are a full-time working mom, a part-time single dad, or anything in between, it’s likely that you’ve encountered difficulties balancing work and family.  Being pulled in so many important, yet different directions can be stressful, and unless handled properly, can limit your ability to work effectively in either realm.  Here are 7 tips that will help you divide and conquer:

1. Review your values.

Everyone needs to reassess their values now and again.  As life changes and different situations unfold, values may shift, evolve or change altogether.  It’s important that you determine what your values are because they should drive your actions.  Once you articulate your values you can ask yourself whether or not your priorities, goals, and schedule reflect these values.

2. Set your priorities.

This is much easier to do once you have reviewed your values.  You should prioritize your life based on those values that matter most to you.  If you value family, then you should make family time a priority.  If you value debt-free living, then you should focus on earning enough money to pay off your debt.  And because most individuals have multiple values, you’ll probably have to determine which of these values get top billing.

3. Schedule well.

Now that you’ve prioritized those things of most importance in your life, you can fill your schedule accordingly.  When will you work?  When will you spend time with your family?  And as you schedule, use the same calendar for both family and work activities.  Otherwise, you may miss something important because you were looking at the wrong calendar.

4. Have a one-track mind.

Once you begin a family or work-oriented project, focus on the task at hand.  If you are spending time at work but preoccupied with thoughts of your children at home, you will not be as productive, and as a result, you will probably have to steal time away from your family to fulfill all your work responsibilities.

5. Work together.

Finding that perfect work and family balance is not your responsibility alone.  Depending on the age of your children, you can enlist them in the effort by requiring them to perform certain chores that will enable you to better manage your time.  And if you have a spouse, divide up the workload so you’re not so overwhelmed.  Once you divvy out responsibilities, learn to let others perform their assignments.  You’re doing yourself no favors by micromanaging your home life.

6. Embrace chaos.

The truth is, regardless of how organized and well-scheduled you may be, balancing work and family will result in some chaos.  While you may do the best you can to stay on top of things, the house will still get messy, the car will still need maintenance, and your children will still get sick.  In order to handle these little obstacles you need to to roll with the punches and come to expect the unexpected.

7.    Let go.

You can only do so much.  At some point you need to relax and let some things go.  While this may feel uncomfortable, sometimes it’s the only way to maintain your sanity.

Financing a Small Business

Some people find that they best balance work and family life when they’re running their own businesses.  Only then can they enjoy the flexibility of self-employment.  Not only could you work from your home, but starting your own accounting practice will enable you to make more money, set your own schedule, and call the shots.  If this idea is appealing, you may consider applying for a small-business loan to get started.

A small-business loan can finance your start-up, enabling you to go full-time and concentrate your efforts on promoting your practice and growing your clientele.  Universal Accounting Center has designed a manual to help you create a loan package that is complete and effective.  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 manual is not only reasonably-priced, but it is a must-read for people like you interested in financing options.  Don’t hesitate.  Your family will thank you.  Order now!

8 Tips on Wowing Prospective Employers

Whether you’ve been raising a family, earning a degree, or laid off from a previous job, planning a career comeback can be daunting.  You may worry that your time away has hindered your chances for finding solid employment.  It doesn’t have to!  As you prepare to get your career on track, consider these 8 tips on wowing prospective employers.

1. Determine what you want

Don’t plow forward until you have decided the direction you want your career to go.  When you haphazardly push your career forward, you wind up with a haphazard career.  While the responsibility of earning a living may loom large, it doesn’t have to prevent you from getting on a desirable career path.  Sit back and determine where you’d most like to be in your career before you start the job hunt.

2. Take a self-assessment

Once you decide the direction you would like your career to take, assess your current skill level to determine whether or not you are qualified to apply for the jobs you want. If you are trying to rebound following job loss, ask yourself what role you played in your termination and how you might change in order to get and keep the job of your dreams.

3. Develop new skills

Some people are concerned that this step will take too much time from their efforts in finding a new job.  While you may have to find a transitional job to pay the bills while you receive necessary training, you don’t have to spend years earning professional certification.  In some cases, one or two college classes will be enough to revamp your skills, while in other cases a reputable bookkeeping program may be what you need.

4. Revamp your resume

Once you know where you are going and are confident that you possess the skills necessary, it’s time to revamp your resume.  Highlight your strengths while considering the employers who will review it.  What are they most interested in, and have you made it easy for them to find it on your resume?

5. Build your network

The best way to find work opportunities is through networking.  If you’ve been out of the loop for awhile, chances are you will need to rebuild your network.  Consider family, friends, businesses you frequent, and other contacts who could expose you to potential jobs.  Spread the word, and you’ll soon discover just how valuable a professional network can be.

6. Develop a positive explanation

Employers are going to wonder why you have been off the market for awhile.  Practice an explanation that positively explains the career interruption.  Avoid sounding derogatory or apologetic.

7. Consider temp work

Temp work puts you in a prime position with some companies; you become familiar with their policies, procedures, and work environment which can give you the advantage when a full-time position becomes available.  This also provides you with the opportunity to determine whether or not this is even a company you would like to work for long-term.  Sometimes it exposes you to your dream employer, providing you with just the focus you need in your job search.

8. Be flexible

Sometimes we become too narrow-minded when looking for a job.  Is it absolutely necessary for you to find full-time employment?  Would your career benefit more from a part-time position?  Or, perhaps, you could consider freelance work for awhile?  Approaching your career with an open mind may enable you to discover possibilities you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

As you prepare for your career comeback focus on your skills and strengths in order to build your confidence.  The more you prepare for the job hunt, the better equipped you will be to secure the job of your choice.

Universal Accounting Center (UAC) tries to help professionals like you by offering quality training programs and other resources designed to help you network with others and learn more about the accounting and tax industry.  To see our free resources, visit UAC today.