Have you ever been to a home that was last decorated in the 1970’s?  How could you tell?  Did the shag carpet give it away?  Or maybe the mustard yellow countertops?  Or was it the dark wood paneling in the basement?

Most people can tell when you’ve neglected a “look,” be it for your home, your wardrobe or even your business.  Unfortunately, when you neglect your business’s marketing materials for too long, your brand becomes tired and worn and your look suggests dated services and an old fashioned approach to financial management.

Your Brand

A brand is what sets a business apart.  When you “brand” your small business, you market it in such a way that anyone seeing your promotions will recognize them as belonging to your products and services.  If you have branded your business based on the quality of services you offer, all your promotional materials should somehow share that message.  And if you designed your website using two colors, those colors should also be found on your print materials, your business cards, and your signage.

So whether you’re establishing your brand for the first time or giving it a new look, you should consider the following two tips, as taken from Emma Johnson’s article entitled “Brand Makeovers”:

1. Broaden Appeal

Before the iPod, the iMac, and iTunes, Apple was considered a limited brand with a narrow consumer base.  That’s hard to believe now, where just about everyone has an iPod.  To achieve that widespread appeal, Apple updated their brand by marketing their new products to a broader demographic.

Perhaps you began your practice by offering specialized services to a narrow market.  As you revise your brand, consider following Apple’s lead by broadening your appeal.  You do this by making your services more accessible to a larger consumer base; what do you have to offer both the small dry cleaner down the street and the gym franchise that’s statewide?  Your brand should reflect your desire to offer accounting solutions to all businesses.

2. Differentiate

Update your brand to stand out from the competition.  You do this by differentiating your services from the pack.  Johnson uses Target as an example of a discount store that differentiated its brand as the one with high-style, fashion-forward products.  The result is a popular discount chain that attracts consumers interested in quality products with reasonable prices.

When you differentiate your brand you focus on those elements that set you apart from the competition.  Whether it be price, customer service or service offerings, you want your brand to appear unique and matchless.

All businesses need a makeover now and then.  Is yours due?  Consider these two approaches in revising your brand so that you can increase your appeal to more prospective clients.

More Than One Way to Market Your Practice

Branding is just one way to promote your business.  And if you want to grow your accounting practice, you’re probably interested in other, more effective ways of attracting new clients.  Unfortunately, many accountants and bookkeepers are unaware of how to market their services effectively.  That’s why, for 30 years, Universal Accounting Center has been training professionals like you how to promote their businesses.  The Universal Practice Builder program will train you in the following (and much more):

• Increasing your annualized billings by $30,000 within the next 12 months
• 12 proven marketing strategies that will increase your client base
• Techniques that can generate 15 to 25 qualified leads per month
• Creating your own customized marketing plan
• Effective phone marketing techniques

In a matter of hours, you will know exactly what you need to do to grow your business.  Advance your accounting practice to the next level and become the premier firm in your area.  To learn more, visit our website and listen to testimonials of our very own graduates, sharing what they found most valuable in this program.

Resource

Johnson, Emma.  “Brand Makeovers: 3 Lessons in Reinvention.”  24 November 2008  Entreprenteur.com

Most of us assume that we can increase our energy levels by getting the proper amount of rest, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly.  Brian Tracy, motivational speaker and author, would argue that’s only partially correct.  While that may help increase our physical energy, we also need to attend to our mental and emotional energy levels, which can be easily depleted.

Mental Energy

Tracy claims that mental energy is what powers your ability to be creative, solve problems and make decisions.  You draw from this energy as your manage your clients’ accounts, accruing those all-important billable hours.  The more efficient your use of this energy, the more productive, and ultimately, the more profitable you will be.

Emotional Energy

This is where you will find your enthusiasm and passion for what your do.  Not only does this energy power your business, but it’s also what makes your personal life enjoyable as well.  You can power-up your emotional energy by ensuring that you spend quality time with those you care about, doing the things your love.

The Connection

Physical energy, mental energy and emotional energy all power your business.  And a reduction in any of these energy levels affects the others.  It’s important that you recognize this connection and conserve energy when possible.  We can quickly burn through emotional energy by expressing negative emotions.   Of those who do this, Tracy explains, “Negative emotions are like a fire that burns up their energy so quickly they have very little left with which to think positively and constructively.  In fact, one five-minute uncontrolled outburst of anger can burn up as much energy as an average person would use in eight hours of work.”

He offers three tips in ensuring that you have a healthy supply of these interconnected energy types:

1. It’s an old standby because it’s true: the better you attend to your physical needs, the more energy you’ll enjoy.  While it may sound redundant, getting the proper amount of rest, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly will power your throughout the day and enable you to feel equal to the challenge of your daily To-Do lists.
2. Recognize how you’re depleting your energy levels and which type of energy-physical, mental, emotional-you rely on most.  Consider ways you can better balance your energy levels and recharge and conserve when possible.
3. Plug up those energy leaks by better managing your stress.  You will also build your energy levels when you practice positive thinking and focus on living a more relaxed and optimistic life.

When you make a conscious effort to increase your energy, you’ll find that your business responds in kind.  Take measures today to ensure that you recharge your battery and your business.

Universal Accounting Center (UAC) Makes It Easy

Confidence is a key energizer.  It can increase your energy levels more than just about any other emotion.  And if it’s confidence you’re looking for, UAC can help.  Our graduates leave our programs with the confidence necessary to start and/or grow their own businesses.  Read what they’re saying about our Professional Bookkeeper Program:

This course has literally changed my life. When I started I hardly knew the difference between a debit and a credit. Now I have the confidence to tackle almost any type of business and do their books.-A. Moody

Great practical course providing you with the skills and self-confidence to go out and build your own bookkeeping/accounting service.-B. Pace

The subject matter covered in your course has been invaluable. I have worked in the accounting field for the past six years; your course gave me the training and confidence I needed to advance in this area.-G. Morton

This course is definitely NOT just an introductory course, although it is wonderful even for beginners. It is a comprehensive accounting and bookkeeping course that truly taught me everything I would need to know to start my own accounting business, and gain clients with confidence.-J. Young

What makes this program so special?  Taught by seasoned professionals who understand the unique demand for small-business accountants, this self-paced program will train you using a hands-on instructional approach designed to give you the experience necessary to start a business’s books from scratch.  Whether you’ve been working in the accounting profession for years or have little experience at all, this course will help you gain the knowledge and confidence necessary to start and/or grow your own accounting practice.

The Professional Bookkeeper Program

This course is comprised of four modules contained on DVD so you can view them again and again.

• Module 1-Accounting Made Easy
• Module 2-Practical Small Business Applications
• Module 3-Advancing your “Account-Ability”
• Module 4-Building a Successful Accounting Service

Each one comes with its own manual where you are expected to practice the concepts and skills you learn.  Upon completion, you will take an exam through which you can earn professional certification, demonstrating your expertise to prospective clients.

In addition to all that you will also receive two additional months of follow-up support, your own customize business website, and two additional practice sets.

Get the training necessary to boost your emotional energy by developing greater confidence-your accounting practice depends upon it.  Order today!

Resource

Tracy, Brian.  “Increase Your Three Types of Energy.” 30 June 2008.  Brian Tracy International

Moving from Traditional Employment to Self-Employment with Ease

Victoria Richardson had just had her second child and knew that her employment situation needed to change in order for her to parent as she desired. She explained, “…my list of wants and needs included: complete flexibility to be able to be with my children when they needed 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.”

So Victoria began the process of launching her own accounting practice, and her first step ensured a happy solution for her and her current employer.

From Ex-Employer to First Client

Victoria’s strategy proved to be successful.  Instead of giving her boss two-week’s notice, Victoria presented him with a win-win situation.  He would continue to enjoy her accounting expertise as a contract accountant while she would be free to enjoy a flexible work schedule with her ex-employer acting as her first client.

Her confidence makes freelance work a lucrative business for Victoria.  She said, “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…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… 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… 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.”

But she’s not the only one who has recognized the value of this transitional strategy.  In today’s market where employers are looking to cut back, many recognize the value in reworking their relationship with an employer so that it benefits both of them.  In changing your position from full-time accountant to contract accountant, you save your previous employer money while enabling yourself to start your own accounting practice with one solid client and the opportunity to have that client refer many more.

David de la Rosa did the same thing with Motorola.  He explained, “I started my business ten years ago. I was doing computer training work for Motorola and found myself caught in a downsize. I approached management about letting me serve as a resource by referring me to their clients. That way, instead of Motorola having to carry me on their payroll, Motorola’s customers could pay me instead. They liked the idea-it was a perfect arrangement that offered a great transition for both of us.”

What Do You Need to Get Started?

Like Victoria you need a plan and the confidence with which to back it.  The Universal Practice Builder program is designed to provide you with a blueprint to success.  Not only will we teach you how to market your valuable skills to the right people, but we’ll also teach you how to act as the Profit Expert Victoria described, by enhancing your clients’ profitability with your analysis of crucial accounting data.

This phenomenal program also includes the following:

• A guarantee of $30,000 in new annualized billings in only 12 months
• Tactical goal planning and setting
• The generation of 15 to 25 qualified leads per month
• Phone marketing instruction and training
• Training in the benefits of newsletters and websites
• 12 proven marketing strategies
• Financing options

Take advantage of the recession by redefining yourself as a contract accountant.  You current employer just might welcome the change, and your professional future will be all the brighter as a result.  Learn how to launch your practice today by enrolling in the Universal Practice Builder program.

Resources

De la Rosa, David.  “FastTrac Entrepreneur Stories.” FastTrac.com

10 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs

There are certain characteristics that will assist you on the road to entrepreneurialism.  And while some may come naturally, others can be developed and honed.  In this two-part series we examine 10 characteristics commonly found in successful entrepreneurs.  Last week we discussed the following 5 traits that we believe are success indicators when it comes to small business ownership:

1.    Passionate

2.    Organized

3.    Accessible

4.    Involved

5.    Progressive

This week we examine the final 5:

6. Respectable

Your reputation as an entrepreneur depends upon your honesty, integrity, and determination to always conduct business honorably.  Countless corporate officers have cost themselves and others their livelihoods because they believed that personal gain was more important than personal integrity.  Because of this, many individuals seek financial professionals who are respected in their community.

7. Time-wise

In order to be successful you must manage your time well.  Not being able to do so can cost you your business.  There are countless individuals with the necessary skills and expertise who mismanage their time and, as a result, mismanage their businesses.  If you are to be your own boss, you must be able to prioritize projects and allocate your time accordingly.  Too many become distracted by the freedom of self-employment and lose track of their businesses as they lose track of time.

8. Customer-oriented

You must be in tune with your clients’ needs and continually build your business with those needs in mind.   Your customer service techniques must be excellent, and you should periodically ask for feedback in order to ensure that they are satisfied.

9. Shameless self-promoter

This is difficult for some people, but in order for the word to get out about your business, you must be willing to talk about your work in glowing terms.  First this might require that you come to recognize and appreciate the value of your own services.  In offering others the opportunity to take advantage of your accounting expertise, you are providing them with informed insight that will enable them to make more profitable business decisions.  Once you become confident of your practice’s innate value, it becomes easier (and more natural) to promote your services.

10. An expert

Prospective clients are looking to pay a professional: an industry expert.  Your credibility is often verified with professional certification.  While you don’t have to become a CPA, you should invest in training that will enable you to earn a valid designation, like that of Professional Bookkeeper.

Earn the Professional Bookkeeper Designation!

Many programs require you take months, if not years, to earn some sort of professional certification.  UAC graduate, Scott Irvins, wanted formal accounting training and decided to do something unusual; he went to a local university to get an associate’s degree in accounting and he took Universal Accounting Center’s Professional Bookkeeper course.  After all that, Scott felt UAC provided more comprehensive accounting training in less time.  He explained:

“The Universal Accounting course - we were done in 4 weeks. I knew everything we needed to do was getting started. As to the other one [University coursework], in that four weeks I hadn’t even finished the first class yet, and 18 months later I finally had a little piece of paper that says I have a degree in computerized accounting. But from the get-go with Universal Accounting Center, their training was fast and simple. In looking at both, it was actually more comprehensive than the 18 month class. We had to do the entire extra general education things, and they broke the training up into little pieces, where in Universal Accounting Center you got the whole picture and you got to do it all in four weeks. It was great.”

The Professional Bookkeeper Program better prepares bookkeepers to serve small-business clients by training them in full bookkeeper and accounting services. Upon completion, qualified students receive the PB designation, assuring prospective clients that these UAC graduates are qualified to take care of the small business owner’s bookkeeping needs. In less than 60 hours you too can earn the Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Designation and develop expertise in small business accounting.

Enhance Your Credentials by Adding QuickBooks Specialist to Your Repertoire

You probably already know that Intuit’s QuickBooks accounting software is popular.  So popular, in fact, that over 80% of small business owners use it to track their finances.  With such a significant percentage, you’re at a disadvantage if you don’t know QuickBooks.

The Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide to QuickBooks is a self-paced program enabling you to skip the parts you may already know while taking the time to truly study those areas with which you’re not as familiar.  And once you complete the guide you can earn a designation proving to employers that you have certified QuickBooks expertise.

Invest in yourself by enrolling in two programs that will enable you to demonstrate your expertise to current and prospective clients.  Enroll in the Professional Bookkeeper program and the Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide to QuickBooks now and earn two professional designations to hang in your office by summer.  Enroll now.

Making Your Message Memorable

We understand that financial professionals, while being good with numbers, often struggle with PR, namely promoting themselves and their services.  When it comes to marketing your services, you need to ensure that your message is more than memorable, but provokes action (namely, contacting you and scheduling a consultation).  As competition to secure prospective clients increases throughout the recession, you need to sharpen your marketing skills and learn new ways to enhance your messages.  Kim T. Gordon, in her Entrepreneur.com article entitled “How to Make Your Message Stick,” shares four tips designed to move prospective clients to action.

1. Evoke emotion

We’re all moved by emotion.  Whether it be joy, fear, sadness, or happiness, we often make key decisions based upon how the potential outcome will make us feel.  Your call-to-action will likely be more successful if it follows an emotional appeal.  It’s important, however, that you avoid marketing ploys that are heaven-handed, crossing the line from emotional appeal to manipulation.  When done correctly, however, an emotional appeal can move prospective clients to action faster than any other marketing strategy.

2. Earn referrals.

Gordon claims that when researchers ask American consumers what influences their buying decisions most, referrals from families and friends always top the list.  In order for current clients to actually refer your services to their family and friends, you must ensure that you’re providing stellar customer service.  And you don’t have to wait for your clients to spread the word on their own.  If you time it right, you can ask them if they have anyone to refer; be sure to offer incentives for sharing this information.

3. Create “ah-hah” moments.

When you enable prospective clients to understand something new for the first time, you create an “ah-hah” moment that makes your services more appealing.  If that “ah-hah” moment enables potential clients to see that retaining your services may make them more profitable in the end, you can help them have an epiphany that drives them to your practice faster than anything else.

4. Offer significant savings.

Everyone likes a deal.  When you can offer significant savings for introductory services, you’re more likely to attract new clients.  It can be a first-time, returning or seasonal offer.  Whatever the case, it should be considerable enough to attract quality clients that will return even when your fees normalize.

Build Your Practice

UAC’s Universal Practice Builder (UPB) program has helped other accountants like you grow their practices beyond their wildest dreams.  Designed to train you how to market your services effectively, the UPB will share more than 12 proven marketing techniques that will enable you to secure 15 to 25 qualified leads per month.  In fact, this course is guaranteed to make you more than $30,000 in increased annualized billings in just 12 months.  That’s nearly 17 times the cost of the course! That’s quite the ROI.  But don’t take our word for it.  Listen to our graduates share how this program has changed the face of their practices.  Visit Universal Accounting Center today!

Resources

Gordon, Kim T.  “How to Make Your Message Stick.”  11 Feb. 2009  Entrepreneur.com

True Life Success

Wouldn’t you like to sit down and have a good, long discussion with someone who’s living your dream?  Someone who could offer advice, tell you what to do, what not to do, and prove that what you’ve always wanted is possible?  If you want to build a thriving accounting practice, then we have the motivational conversation for you.

Scott Barhold completed the Universal Practice Builder program last year and he’s currently finishing the Professional Bookkeeper Program.  Learn from his experience and see just how these two Universal programs can change the face of your business, for the better.

Growing His Practice

The UPB program is designed to teach financial professionals how to better market their services; it also guarantees that graduates will increase their annual billings by at least $30,000 in just 12

months.  When asked how the program has benefitted his bottom line Scott replied, “My practice has grown from $36k to $87k in the first 6 months, and this year my current projections are about $127K.  I did this by learning how to market what I do.”  That’s more than an initial $50,000 in increased billings with a projected increase of over $90,000 this year, and Scott has accomplished this in a very tenuous financial market.

Scott explained, “The greatest benefit [of the UPB] for me was the understanding of what I needed to make my practice a success and the ability to achieve it.  [It] taught me how to successfully market my product and say the right thing to the right people in the right way at the right time.”

He goes on to say that “going to Utah for the UPB workshop can be the difference between watching a sporting event and playing in it.  It is truly the dynamics that change.  You will come out with more than you could possibly imagine, and a road map of how to achieve it.”

Growing His Expertise and Experience

The Professional Bookkeeper Program is intended to train individuals in the day-to-day tasks of small-business accounting, enabling graduates to earn valuable professional certification.  While he has yet to finish the PB Program, Scott feels that the PB designation will help set him apart from his competition.

Much of Scott’s success stems from his positive attitude regarding his business and his life.  He realizes that his daily tasks are the building blocks for the future success of his business.

Scott described to us a typical day at the office:  “My day usually starts with a day plan, the tasks and meetings that I need to accomplish, and a look at the work in progress.  Each day has some marketing involved from e-mails, to letters, to advertisements, and networking.  Then it is off to execute the day plan.  All tasks must be checked before I can go home.  No sales day can end on a no; each must end on a positive.  This lays seed today for a better tomorrow.  To let a day end on a failure is to let today finish better than tomorrow will be.  That is not an acceptable direction for my plan, my business, or my life.”

Client Relationships

Scott believes that the true value of his clients is not in the quantity but in the quality.  “For instance,” Scott says, “One of my clients has over 100 gas stations- [the quality] is in what I bring to him and his businesses. I am currently bringing a uniformity in reporting of income and expenses.  This will make his life easier so he can do more of what he wants to do.”

Scott finds that his clients value face-time and communication.  He explains, “I think the service that I sell is peace of mind.  My clients know that they are going to spend time with me, and that they will feel more at-ease about looking at their financial report.  I constantly hear clients say, ‘My old accountant never went over this with me.’”

Challenges and Rewards

The most challenging element of his job is in finding balance.  “There is a delicate balance between marketing and production.  I had to learn how to effectively delegate tasks in order for the practice to grow.  I love what I do, and I have come to learn that it is a valuable skill to business owners, that many do not possess. But without delegation, I am limited to the amount of help I can give.”

“The most rewarding aspect is that I can help so many others get what they want.  Nobody wants a business that is flailing about.  By doing what I know best, many times I can help them see their business in a whole new light.  It is rewarding that my clients realize the value that I bring to their business–the relationship that builds as we set plans in motion to meet their goals and objectives.  I actually enjoy watching as we overcome obstacles as a team and celebrate milestone successes with my clients.”

Scott’s Advice to Those Starting and/or Growing Their Own Bookkeeping Practice

“Know what you are getting into.  Your clients will rely on you for information; spend the time to become an expert in your field so that you can help them… become an expert in theirs.  And to take something that I have learned from UAC - Believe in yourself, decide what you want, plan for success, and execute your plan!”

Learn more about these two programs that have helped Scott achieve the success he’s currently experiencing by visiting Universal Accounting Center today.

Universal Press Release

For Immediate Release (800)343-4827

Universal Accounting Initiates New Interactive Testing Center

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (March 1, 2007) – Universal Accounting Center (UAC), an Inc. 500 company, has launched an upgraded testing center for students completing the Professional Bookkeeper program, Professional Tax Preparer program and Professional Bookkeepers guide to QuickBooks Pro. The testing center provides a reliable solution for students participating in UAC’s distance programs.

The upgraded Web testing center includes the following features:

• An advanced database accelerating student movement to each question.
• Students can navigate to any question regardless of where they are in the test.
• A virtual “time attendant” following students throughout the test monitoring remaining test time.

Universal Accounting Center is the worlds only accounting specific trade school offering accounting, bookkeeping and marketing training to students throughout the world. Skills are taught through classroom trainings or through a patented home-study course, allowing students to learn at their own pace. In August, 2006, Universal Accounting debuted on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies in the United States. More information about Universal Accounting Center can be found by calling 1-800-343-4827 or visiting www.universalaccountingcenter.com.

Start Up Advice:

From a Universal Accounting Center Graduate

Wouldn’t you like to sit down and have a good, long discussion with someone who’s living your dream? Someone who could offer advice, tell you what to do, what not to do, and prove that what you’ve always wanted is possible. If you’ve ever wanted to have your own accounting and tax practice, then we have the motivational conversation for you.

Scott Irvins has an interesting career history, one you might want to hear about. He spent a number of years working in corporate America , and after two company shut-downs he decided it was time to start his own business as a full-time accountant. Because he lacked formal training he did something unusual; he went to a local university to get an associates degree in accounting and he took Universal Accounting Center’s 4-week Professional Bookkeeper course. This is Scott’s experience.

Scott’s Experience with UAC’s Training
“The Universal Accounting course - we were done in 4 weeks. I knew everything we needed to do, and that was just getting started. As to the other one [University coursework], in that four weeks I hadn’t even finished the first class yet, and 18 months later I finally had a little piece of paper that says I have a degree in computerized accounting. But from the get-go with Universal Accounting Center , their training was fast and simple. In looking at both, it was actually more comprehensive than the 18 month class. We had to do the entire extra general education things, and they broke the training up into little pieces, where in Universal Accounting Center you got the whole picture and you got to do it all in four weeks. It was great.”

Not only that, but as Scott continued to complete his university coursework he found himself using the knowledge gained from UAC’s training to help mentor and advice fellow accounting students! In fact, some days he would actually teach portions of his classes upon the request of university faculty.

But Scott continued to enjoy Universal Accounting Center benefits even after he graduated. Scott explains: “[UAC] was great with the training, and the support staff here at Universal Accounting Center . If there was any situation to come up, they were always here to help and to get you through the problems, and to get things done right, and make sure the client is satisfied.”

How to Get Clients
Upon completing the training, Scott began working from his basement. In fact, he ran a successful accounting and tax practice from home for 10 years. Just two years ago he opened his own office, and just recently hired his first assistant. But how did he get his first clients?

“The actual client I got myself, I answered a classified ad. They were looking for an in-house bookkeeper, and I went in and talked to the owner and basically helped change their mind to say you don’t really need somebody full-time in-house. I can take your stuff and do this much more, and do it for an actual less price overall per month than what they would pay somebody in-house…”

A lot of my clients have come through referrals, so by servicing the clients you expand on it. The referrals come in. I got a few neighbors and relatives that didn’t jump on board immediately, but after seeing that I was picking up new clients and developing a successful practice, I was then able to add those on and expand quite quickly once we got a few going.”

Advice for Others Starting Their Own Business
“Once you have gotten the training, it is just a matter of going out and using the marketing tools that are taught in the class. The first few things they teach you will get you a few clients to get started, and then, based on where you want to go, how much time you want to put into it, it’s just how much you continue marketing. You can have 3 or 4 clients and have a nice part time business or you can go straight out, and I am not saying you will be self-supporting in a month or two, but within 6 months you should be able to get enough clients to have a decent income and expand from there…”

The accounting experience isn’t necessary if you are going to take the Universal Accounting Center course. It will teach you everything you need to know. If I was to try to go out and do it without having taking that, even having gone through the associates degree program at the college, I don’t believe I could have done what I have done, just because they didn’t teach us how to go out and get clients, or how to start up your chart of accounts for small business and get them started. [Regarding university training] Everything was so modularized and the training was more geared to how to go out and get a job. So the first thing I say is go through the accounting program. In four weeks, you will be done. The training is well worth every penny you pay for it, and that will give you everything you need to go out and get started. You expand from there. I usually suggest to new people [to] go through the accounting. Get comfortable for that, usually for the first year, and as you are going for that point, then think about taking the tax class, because every one of your clients and more wants you to do taxes for them, since you are already doing their accounting books. So that is kind of the second step. Get settled in your accounting business and add on the tax and it will just bring in much more income.”

Enjoying the Benefits of Self-Employment
“The biggest thing is being your own boss and being flexible with your time. And to go in whether you need to. The other day, my little boy was sick. You could take him in the middle of the day and take care of things like that or over the last two weeks we have had family reunions. So I took a half a week off and worked the other half, and now I am taking another vacation to San Diego next week.”

Scott’s Motto: Just Do It!
Scott found that starting his own business required a leap of faith, but with solid training to back him up he felt confident that he would succeed. After comparing both university training and Universal’s Professional Bookkeeper course, he felt UAC’s program was much more beneficial. Why spend months, maybe years trying to get the training to start your own business when you could get all the information you need in just 4 weeks?

If you’ve been looking to start your own accounting and tax practice, take that leap of faith today! Give yourself an early Christmas present that will keep giving and giving and giving to your bottom line. Enroll and expand your knowledge and skills, increasing your marketability and value to potential clients. Or give yourself the gift of a lifetime and get the Professional Package, both the Universal Practice Builder and the Professional Bookkeeper Program for Big Savings off the retail price! Don’t hesitate and waste another day procrastinating, take the steps to the best decision you can make for your career.

Running a Winning Own Accounting and Tax Practice:

A Profile of Success

Ralph Barnes is in the middle of tax season, counting the days to April 15^th when his business will slow down a bit so that he can get back to the regular, less rigorous routine of his accounting practice. He works by himself in a little office on the main street of Clarkston, Washington, and has the freedom to work late hours when his business requires it or to or take a week off when he requires it.

He quit his job as an accountant for a radial tire chain 14 years ago. Ralph works as an accountant for 20 clients and prepares, roughly, 170 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 grandchildren.

Ralph enjoys his business. He says the best part is being his own boss. He advices others who would like to start their own accounting and tax practice to remember ” . . . it takes awhile to build up the business. You have to be working on getting new clients all the time. You can’t wait for them to walk through the door; it’s not going to happen. Once you get a good client base you’ll get lots of referrals.” 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.”

You Too Can Run a Successful Accounting and Tax Practice

Perhaps you already have your own accounting practice. Or maybe you’ve been thinking about it, planning for just the right time to launch yourself to success. Regardless of your current status, you can build a successful accounting and tax practice in less time than you might imagine. All you need is accounting and tax expertise and the know-how to market that expertise.

Accounting Expertise

Consider all the small businesses in your community, those with storefronts and those without: owners of restaurants, specialty shops, training facilities, freelancers and consultants, and even the closet Ebay seller all have to manage their business’s finances. If you are an accountant or bookkeeper, the opportunity to serve a growing community of entrepreneurs is remarkable. In fact, over 80% of accounting opportunities exist within the small business sector.

Universal Accounting Center’s Professional Bookkeeper Program has over 25 years of experience training individuals in small business accounting. In less than 60 hours you can receive a professional designation as proof of your expertise, enabling you to reach out to small businesses in your area and work year-round as an accountant.