No one likes to be without a job, and in this day of employment uncertainty it can be difficult to find a full-time position that enthuses and impassions you. But if you’ve been looking for awhile and have run out of leads, you may consider temporary work. Because while temp work has had the reputation of being thankless and unpleasant, there are many advantages you just might want to consider.

Advantages of Temporary Work

1. Keeping the bigger wolves at bay while looking for full-time work
You need to buy groceries, pay the electric bill, and buy the stamp that goes on the remittance envelope. These are all good reasons to get a temporary position; you can earn money while continuing your job search. Now maybe it’s not as much you’d like to make ultimately, but a lower-paying job is sometimes better than no job at all.

2. Getting a flavor of different organizations and positions
I’m sure there are a few of us who wish we could have sampled our current company before going full-time. 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. And you’ve had the time to determine whether or not this is even a company you’d 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.

3. Showcase skills to potential employers
Like we mentioned above, when positions within a company become available, if you’ve done well in the temp position you can become a prime candidate for their full-time positions. See this as an opportunity to showcase your skills and abilities. “Wow” potential employers. “Temping” comes into play much more brightly when you are able to gain a temp position in the company you would like to eventually stick with. This is a great way to get your foot in the door.

4. Network with new people
In a temp job you’re exposed to a new group contacts you can network with. And it’s no secret that you’re temporary; these new acquaintances might be able to connect you with that perfect job. This may not happen if you are working an assembly line when you are looking for desk work, but you always need to keep your Networking “radar” keen, you never know what connection can get you into that dream position.

5. Choose a more flexible work schedule
Life can be full of stressful situations, including significant life changes (divorce, death, birth, illness, a move, schooling, etc.) that may require you to take a more flexible approach to work. With temporary positions you can work part-time, full-time, for a month at a time, or longer. While benefits aren’t part of the temporary package, this flexibility may be just the benefit you need right now.

Temping Tips
But let’s be honest. Temporary work isn’t all roses and sunshine. But knowing what you’re getting into will help you make the most of temp opportunities. Here are just a few things to remember when going to a temporary staffing agency:

Check the temp agency’s reputation
Do your homework; first and foremost, check the agency’s reputation. Look online, ask around, check with your state’s consumer protection agency to see if they have any complaints filed. Just don’t walk blindly into the first temp agency you see.

Avoid temping agencies during college holidays
You can imagine that this is a busy time for temp agencies. Not only will you avoid this rush, you’ll also avoid being grouped with all these students who lack advanced shills and experience.

Negotiate wage before starting
Some temp agencies try to pay you as little as possible. Understand that you won’t make as much as you would with a full-time position, but you also shouldn’t have to settle for minimum wage. Ask skill assessment and how wages scale to match more advanced skills. On your Temp Application they usually ask the wage you are willing to accept.

Understand your obligations
Be sure to understand the terms and conditions of your employment through the temp agency. You don’t want to get a full-time job offer, only to discover you’re required to work for the temp agency for 3 more months.

If possible, go to a specialty staffing agency
Depending on where you are, there are some temp agencies that specialize in various occupations. With accountant and bookkeeper skills, you could look to a staffing agency that fills financial positions. There are also some more progressive temp agencies that offer benefits.

Whatever you do, don’t disregard temp work. There are many advantages that have permanent results. And who knows, it may be just what your job search needs to get you the full-time position you’ve been looking for.

Use this time in a constructive way to enhance your job opportunities in the near future. Temping or in a full-time position you need something to get noticed. It is an established fact that if an employer cannot picture you in a role, they will not put you there either. If you work in Accounting, Bookkeeping, or a related field, the best way to get noticed is with additional training. And the best way to get accelerated training is with the Professional Bookkeeper program. In just 60 hours of video-based teaching that you learn at your pace, you will learn the full Accounting process that will make your boss notice you and picture yourself in internal promotional opportunities as they arise.

Maybe even more important is that upon successfully completing the Professional Bookkeeper course, you will be able to add the PB designation to the end of your name. Bearing the PB designation states boldly to potential employers that you have what it takes to do the entire Accounting process from clerk to Full Charge Accountant with emphasis on small to mid-sized business accounting. The PB designation proves that you have the hands-on skills to work in a variety of Accounting tasks and can be called upon to perform a broad range of Accounting and Bookkeeping responsibilities. With the PB designation, you show that you know!

Learn How to Accelerate Your Career With the Professional Bookkeeper Program

Successful Telecommuting:

5 Tips to Make It Work

Accounting is noted as an occupation well-suited for telecommuting. Most employees can name countless benefits of telecommuting while some employers are a bit more leery of this alternative approach to employment. But when the right employees are chosen to telecommute, businesses can also enjoy many telecommuting perks: increased productivity, happier and healthier employees, and lower building costs. In order to make a positive impression on your boss, and to make telecommuting work for you, here are five success tips:

1. Know your own strengths and weaknesses
It’s important to recognize that self-disciplined, proactive employees make the best telecommuters. If you need micromanagement or lots of social interaction to be productive, than telecommuting may not be the best approach for you. However, if you can identify your weaknesses and develop a strategy to counteract them, you might be able to evolve into a successful telecommuter. Whatever the case may be, serious self-reflection is a must if you’re going to prepare yourself for a positive telecommuting experience.

2. Have the right equipment
Sometimes all you need to telecommute is a laptop and a telephone. But don’t wait until your first day working from home to determine whether or not you have the equipment you need. Make a list long before you start to avoid wasting precious work time. Contact computer support personnel to get authorization to access required networks and/or to learn how to upload and download necessary files. Designate an office space in your home and ensure that you have everything you need (printer, fax machine, filing cabinet, etc.) to be successful. Also ensure that you have the proper internet connection to make your online interactions fast and efficient.

3. Communicate with supervisors and colleagues well and often
Often employers are weary of telecommuting because they assume that once the workplace is out of sight, it will also be out of mind. You need to communicate with supervisors and colleagues well and often in order to let them know you’re on task and moving forward. And if you don’t have good communication skills, you need to get them. Just because you communicate frequently doesn’t mean you communicate effectively. Information should be clear and timely.

4. Set boundaries with family and friends
One of the benefits of telecommuting is the ability to better balance work and family. There’s no doubt that working from home gives you more flexibility in your schedule. But it’s difficult to get any work done if your children think you’re on vacation. Countless interruptions will make you less, not more, productive. In order for telecommuting to work you need to set some ground rules. Ensure that your entire family is on board and willing to respect the boundaries required to make your telecommuting effort successful. On the other hand, you must return the favor by respecting family time; it can be difficult to leave work at the office when that office is in your home.

5. Maintain professionalism
Another benefit of telecommuting is showing up to work in your PJ’s. But if you’re not careful, your work might begin to reflect a lack of professionalism. Regardless of whether or not you power dress at home, your work should be powerful and demonstrate a professionalism that transcends the distance that now exists between you and the workplace.

Telecommuting can provide employees and employers with countless benefits. But in order to find success you must be willing to do what’s required to make it work. Once you do, everyone can be satisfied with the result. And that will go a long way to make telecommuting a more viable approach to employment. Get the skills that make the difference in the workplace. Click Here to find out more.

What Does Your Freedom Look Like?

Test the Waters of Financial Freedom and Run Your Own Business Part-Time

Would you like more time, more income, and more freedom to enjoy your life? While you may not be ready to quit your day job to run your own accounting and tax practice full-time, you can start small by moonlighting as a professional tax preparer. By doing so, you can increase your income significantly while building a client base that will establish a successful business.

Tax Preparers Are in Great Demand

If you’re good with numbers and enjoy accounting, you’d make a great tax preparer. Every year, more and more individuals and businesses have professional tax preparers do their taxes. The complexity of tax laws is enough for most tax payers to look for help during tax season, and because every adult is required to file their taxes every year, your potential client base is limitless.

But why start now? Summer is the perfect time to take the necessary training that will give you the practical skills long before tax season begins. Not only that, you’ll have time to get the word out so that when January rolls around, you have a handful of clients who want you to prepare their taxes.

The Professional Tax Preparer (PTP) Program

Universal Accounting Center’s Professional Tax Preparer Certification is one of the best on the market, affording students hands-on training in the preparation of personal and business returns. The PTP Certification contains all of the following:

• Video Instructio.
• Full 104.
• Full Business Returns (1065, 1120, 1120S.
• Step-by-step instruction in starting a sole practitione.
• One Year Follow-up Support from expert tax preparer.

And while many programs will lecture you on tax law and preparation practices, Universal’s program is effective because it provides the practice that will make your skills perfect. Theory is taught as guiding principles, but the focus is on actually doing taxes to gain proficiency.

The PTP course consists of 20 hours of video training. Most tax preparation courses include books and some worksheets. Our training is very engaging and entertaining as seasoned tax preparers give practical advice on not only tax issues, but give real-world solutions to give you the edge in productivity and profitability. Our instructors know what challenges you will face because they have been there themselves.

The Value of a Professional Designation

To be honest, you don’t need a Professional Tax Preparer designation to prepare taxes. Currently, there are no qualifications for any individual to become a paid tax preparer. But in today’s world of complex tax laws and increasing tax fraud occurrences, tax payers are looking for specialists with credentials. Not only that, but with Congress considering regulation for tax preparers, earning a professional designation is a good start to establishing yourself as a trusted professional. It affords clients peace of mind to know that the individual they’re working with is qualified and knowledgeable. It also affords the tax preparer peace of mind to know they’ve been properly trained. Universal recognizes the value of a professional designation and awards the Professional Tax Preparer Certification.

A Profitable Forecast

Others like you have completed the Professional Tax Preparer Certification with great success. Graduates have prepared tax forms for up to 50 individuals in their first year. At an average of $150 each, they made $7,500 working just the 45 days before April 15. For many people, this represents 3 months of salary. If you are the kind of individual that likes to work hard for a concentrated period of time and then have time to relax, preparing income tax forms could be perfect for you. And imagine, in just 30 hours you can earn enough money moonlighting as a tax preparer to pay for the program 3 times over.

Reroute your career before hitting a breaking point

By Carol Kleiman

From 1995 to 1998, when Mary Lou Quinlan was chief executive officer of a major advertising agency, she used to dream about breaking a leg. Today Quinlan, 51, is founder and CEO of Just Ask a Woman, a New York-based marketing consulting firm — and she’s not a masochist:

She simply used to fantasize about a way to get a break from the “cutthroat” ad world and her demanding job.

“My work schedule had gotten out of control and I didn’t have a life,” said Quinlan, who supervised a staff of 400 people and earned in the six figures. “I was working 15 hours days and traveling a lot — I even took off my heels and ran barefoot through an airport to make a flight — and I was overwhelmed. I was a human FedEx package.

“Dreaming of breaking a leg was really my way of trying to think of something temporary that I could survive and that would give me a few weeks away from work. After 23 years, I was exhausted.”

And she’s not alone. “According to my research, almost seven in 10 people who make $40,000 or more a year fantasize about taking at least several months off, and one in five 35- to 40-year-olds fantasize about it daily,” said Quinlan, who has an MBA and who has also worked in public relations and in fund raising. She quotes this statistic in her new book, “Time Off for Good Behavior: How Hardworking Women Can Take a Break and Change Their Lives” (Broadway Books).

In 1998, Quinlan, who is married to Joe Quinlan, an independent television new producer, asked for five weeks off to focus on herself. “I combined my vacation and time due me, so it was paid leave,” she said. “I fully expected to return to work.”

The weeks of time she claimed for herself were better than healing from a broken leg: “I lived my life for the first time,” said Quinlan, “I took walks in my neighborhood, I met friends for lunch, I took salsa lessons, I kept a journal — and the big thing was that I was relaxed and thought about my life for the first time. Did I have a life? No, I worked.”

She soon realized she wanted to do research and create strategies for companies that wanted to build their business with female customers. She also wanted to write and give talks and be in control of her life.

“I went back to work and quit the first day,” Quinlan said. “I couldn’t get back to that life after I once had seen the other side of the fence. It opened my eyes to what life can be.”

Fortunately, the agency’s holding company liked her idea and provided funding for Just Ask a Woman, which she started in 1999 and bought in 2002. The marketing firm has three employees and, she says, “is very profitable.” She works normal hours and has reduced her travel.

Because she at first remained under the aegis of her employer, Quinlan’s leaving her job was not a financial hardship and her benefits were maintained. But she does has specific advice for others who must take a break before they break.

“Don’t do it just on the spur of the moment,” the executive advised. “Plan ahead. Figure out how much time you’ll need. Make a financial plan, an escape hatch to bide you over in case your leave is unpaid. Get support from friends and family who might pitch in on child care, if you need it, and give you space and time to get a rest for the first time in your life.”

Then, negotiate with your boss for what you need, she adds. “Suggest how work might be covered in your absence. Discuss your plans to return to work — and assure them you will. If you’re really miserable you should just quit. Don’t lie.”

And use your time off wisely, as she did. “Reflect,” Quinlan urged. “Start to draw some boundaries at work so that you have time for yourself, too.” The executive believes it is possible to reduce stress by setting a new schedule at work.

But first you need the time to do it: “Don’t break a leg when you’re at that serious breaking point,” Quinlan said. “Do something about your situation. It’s scary to take the risk of a leave of absence, but the alternative is worse.”

Do You Enjoy What You Do?

For way too many of us, the answer is no. Work can be hectic and stressful. Often, our careers just are not going anywhere. We need something to get them going again. The Professional Bookkeeper program gives you hands-on training in the full range of Accounting and Bookkeeping skills needed to succeed.

Learn How the Professional Bookkeeper Program Can Get Your Career Back On Track

Jump On That Promotion Escalator

(Part I of II)

There’s a lot of talk these days about workplace superstars. They seem to leap up the career ladder, baffling coworkers with their ability to please management, profit the company, and work well with others. They’re not freaks of nature, but they are deliberate career creatures who approach every project, interaction, and task with purpose. Want to know their secret? Here are 4 of 8 things superstars do that the average employee doesn’t:

1. Study the organization.
It’s important to know about the organization. What its mission, objectives, critical path? Superstars recognize that helping the organization (and/or the “boss”) accomplish its goals will catapult their own careers. But you can’t do that unless you’ve studied the organization.

2. Develop a strategy.
Superstars approach their workday with purpose, strategy. They look at their current job as a way to expand their portfolio of experience and skills. They’re proactive in their approach to projects, finding and selecting tasks that will boost their resumes. But remember, they’re also aware of what the company wants, so they hitch their personal objectives to the company’s wagon to simultaneously advance both the organization and their careers.

3. Take initiative.
When superstars look at their job descriptions they recognize the difference between fulfilling standards requirements and taking initiative to go above and beyond the call of duty. Taking real initiative requires that you first do your assigned job well. Then you must exceed those requirements in some way. Also consider how you might help others as you accomplish your tasks. And initiative generally requires taking some risks. Finally, you must see the task to successful completion.

Julie B. Kampf, president of an executive-search firm called JBK Associates Inc recognizes that superstars take initiative. She lists ways superstars can be recognized for their initiative: “Bringing a new client to the firm that no one else thought of, or bringing a new product to the distribution channel, are ways to be recognized as a superstar. It’s about not just thinking of what’s current, but thinking above and beyond. If you currently sell to Wal-Mart or Target, for example, you think about selling to the Home Shopping Network or QVC, too.”

4. Enhance your skills.
Superstars are proactive in their approach to career development. They look for ways to build their skill set, becoming more valuable employees. Actively seek conferences and workshops you can attend, training you can take, and or designations you can earn. It will not only enhance your skills, but it will show just how serious you are about being a valuable employee.

UAC’s QuickBooks Training is a good place to start
Universal Accounting Center (UAC) has a training program that will teach you QuickBooks quickly, and painlessly. As an accountant it behooves you to know the most popular accounting software available. Being able to list QuickBooks mastery on your resume will boost your value to current and potential employers. UAC’s Guide to QuickBooks Pro is a self-paced program that enables you to become a QuickBooks Specialist, proving your expertise. Talk to your supervisor today and see if your employer can pay for your registration fees. Take your first step in becoming a superstar; enroll today.

You too can be a workplace superstar. All it takes is reflection on your current approach to your job and the implementation of a few necessary changes. These first four actions will help you get started. Come back next week to read four more:

5. Communicate.
6. Go beyond the call of duty.
7. Practice effective leadership.
8. Practice proactive followership.

Jump on that Promotion Escalator: Become a Superstar at Work

(Part Two of a Two-Part Series)

Look, over in that cubicle. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a workplace superstar! You’ve seen them before. They complete projects faster than a speeding bullet. They’re more powerful than their coworkers, and they can leap career ladders in a single bound. Want to know their secret? It has nothing to do with gene mutation, as you might suspect. It has more to do with attention to eight simple actions that get them recognized. You too can be a workplace superstar if you develop these simple characteristics. Last week we talked about 1-4: 1. Study the organization, 2. Develop a strategy, 3. Take initiative, and 4. Enhance your skills.

Today we’ll talk about 5-8.

5. Communicate.

Workplace superstars know that good communication requires good timing. You should not only know what messages are worth relaying, but who the audience should be and the best time to share them. You should also be able to captivate your audience. Practice your delivery so that you get to the point in a dynamic way, and avoid rambling. If you over-communicate, chances are people will begin to tune you out.

6. Go beyond the call of duty.

The “go-to guy” is the workplace superstar who can be trusted to go beyond the call of duty. Don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of, but do be willing to help your boss and/or coworkers when they need it. This also requires you to be conscious of each project and task you tackle and how it might be enhanced in order to better meet company objectives. This may necessitate that you put in extra time or revise your initial approach.

7. Practice effective leadership.

Workplace superstars are great leaders. You should recognize when a team lacks leadership and step up to the plate. Stars are not bossy or condescending; you have clear objectives and lead by involving the entire team. You should also recognize what others have to contribute and be positive and affirming. Robert E. Kelley is the author of the book How to Be a Star at Work: 9 Breakthrough Strategies You Need to Succeed. He discusses the importance of spelling leadership with a small “l.” Kelley explains that workplace superstars are great motivators and they allow their teammates to get the work done. As George S. Patton once said, “Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.”

8. Practice proactive followership.

Not only are workplace superstars great leaders, but they’re also great followers. You’ll have countless opportunities to follow in your career. And the manner in which you do is the determining factor in whether or not you become a superstar. A star follower will follow the leader, know how to best contribute, and will offer feedback in a non-threatening way.

By doing these 8 things, you can become a workplace superstar, getting the recognition necessary to climb that career ladder and get the promotion you deserve. And it may be easier than you expect; you don’t have to deflect bullets with your steel-like chest, or turn back time by changing the rotational patterns of the earth. All it requires is that you focus on your current approach at work and see how you can make positive and star-like changes.

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!