Many people assume that the only time of the year they need to talk to their accountant is around tax time, but you should actually be in regular contact with your accountant - or, at the very least, have a mid-year check-in. Here are a few reasons you should schedule an appointment with your tax preparer before the Halloween decorations are out. See if you are on track with your estimated … [Read more...]
Exactly What to Include in Your New Client Welcome Packet
Continuing in our series about what you need to know during your first year in business, today we're going to look at what you need to include in a New Client Welcome Kit. Exactly what you need to include will vary based on your industry, but there are a few major elements every welcome kit should include. Details on How and When to Get Paid A stumbling block for many small business owners is … [Read more...]
Top Apps for Invoicing
In a recent post I talked about the top financial tools for your first year in business, but I wanted to come back to one of the most important tools today: invoicing software. For most of my clients, invoicing is the source of most of their income so it's crucial they're using the best software solution available. There are many great solutions out there so let's talk about a few … [Read more...]
4 Reasons You Need a Bookkeeper
Yes, you do really need a bookkeeper. I admit, I'm a little biased as I offer bookkeeping services. But as an accountant and a bookkeeper, let me tell you that in no uncertain terms: you need to hire a bookkeeper as soon as you can afford one. Even if you've already hired an accountant. That's because bookkeeping is different than accounting. A bookkeeper handles the ongoing financial … [Read more...]
Guidelines for Hiring Subcontractors
As your business grows, it might be time to start hiring help. You can do that by hiring employees or working with subcontractors. If you hire an employee, you have to deal with salaries, payroll taxes, and many other legal and HR related issues. If you hire a subcontractor, things are a bit simplified - as long as you follow the right guidelines. Since many small business owners prefer to … [Read more...]