Accounting & Bookkeeping & Small Business Forum

[aca708ea]

Hello,

I'm an accountant in Charlottesville, Virginia. I have a bachelors in accounting, am going to be sitting for the CPA test in the summer, and operate a small accounting firm. Presently I do accounting work, taxes, QuickBooks and am looking to expand my bookkeeping operations. Well I've realizied that something said in the DVD I was sent is true; accountants are taught to work in a firm or company with other accountants and for a large business. Reality is that I'm doing neither.

What I'm wondering about is if this course would be useful to me. I've got a strong understanding of the fundamentals of course. But the actual day to day bookkeeping operations just aren't covered in business school. I know there are businesses case studies covered in the training. I'm very curious how in depth they are covered. For example is it just a summary "this is how it's done" or do you actively prepare all of the statements and transactions for a period of time? And is there any way to purchase the practice sets alone?

Also, how is the QuickBooks course? I'm experienced in using the software, but it never hurts to improve ones skills. Likewise for the tax course.

Finally, how easy is to get a refund? The Better Business Bureau doesn't seem to get many complaints, but I'm curious. Just in case.

Don

[Roger]

Welcome Don to the Forum.

There are many ways to consider the training as useful for you with your background and experience. Two thirds of Universal's students are those with 10+ years of accounting experience and/or 4 to 6 years or accounting training with a BA or MBA.

Some take the Professional Bookkeeper and/or Professional Tax Preparer programs to specialize in the accounting profession and receive their designation. Others know accounting but are wanting the confidence to know that they KNOW accounting for small business, if nothing else a 3rd party verifying their skill sets.

As you may know, most Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is not that you are going to learn 100% new things. Rather the idea of CPE's is to get a refresher and learn a few new things. Most of the CPa's that we have take the courses not because they think that they are going to learn a ton of new information but to get the confidence they need to specialize in small business accounting.

For information regarding the PB designation
http://knowaccounting.com/why-uac/certification/

For the PTP designation
http://www.hometaxbusiness.com/why-train-universal-accounting/professional-tax-preparer-certification/ptp-explained/

To see what others have said here is some information:
http://universalaccounting.com/success.htm

To know more as to the topics covered in the training I would suggest that you go here:

The Professional Bookkeeper Program
http://universalaccounting.com/syllabus.htm

The Professional Tax Preparer Program
http://www.hometaxbusiness.com/products/tax-training/product-description/

For information on the QuickBooks Training I would suggest that you go to
http://www.get-quickbooks-training.com/

As for the guarantee on the training, that's simple. Since 1992 it has been just:

If, after completing the course, you feel the course didn't live up to your expectation, simply return the materials to Universal, for a 100% refund of any monies paid.

We structure the guarantee this way because we know that after a person has seen and completed the course in its entirety, he or she will recognize its tremendous value. This is much better than a 30 day guarantee because we want you to feel free to take as long as needed whether it take one month, or six months to complete it.

Note that the PB program has been designed to be completed in about 4-5 weeks and the PTP in 6-7 weeks.

Enjoy and Best Wishes

Roger

[Diego Curt]

Cville Accountant wrote: Hello,

I'm an accountant in Charlottesville, Virginia. I have a bachelors in accounting, am going to be sitting for the CPA test in the summer, and operate a small accounting firm. Presently I do accounting work, taxes, QuickBooks and am looking to expand my bookkeeping operations. Well I've realizied that something said in the DVD I was sent is true; accountants are taught to work in a firm or company with other accountants and for a large business. Reality is that I'm doing neither.

What I'm wondering about is if this course would be useful to me. I've got a strong understanding of the fundamentals of course. But the actual day to day bookkeeping operations just aren't covered in business school. I know there are businesses case studies covered in the training. I'm very curious how in depth they are covered. For example is it just a summary "this is how it's done" or do you actively prepare all of the statements and transactions for a period of time? And is there any way to purchase the practice sets alone?

Also, how is the QuickBooks course? I'm experienced in using the software, but it never hurts to improve ones skills. Likewise for the tax course.

Finally, how easy is to get a refund? The Better Business Bureau doesn't seem to get many complaints, but I'm curious. Just in case.

Don

Hi Don,

I am a Certified Bookkeeper receiving the designation from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. I also have experience as an accounting consutant/trainer in working with companies like the Disney Stores, Nike International, Eddie Bauer, Victoria Secrets, etc. My responsibilites included analyzing enterpirse level accounting systems and all the "hooks" the software had in other functions within the company like receiving, purchasing, etc... I also had the responsibility to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of all acounting functions and develop/deliver the appropriate training to get the accounting personnel up to speed with the new software. This was easier said then done.

The reason I am saying this is for you to know, I know, where you are coming from and know what you are trying to do because I am sort of doing the same thing as you. My problem is I am not a "corporate" guy. I have entrpreneur in my blood and it conflicts at times with being an "employee".

All the knowledge you have received in accounting from your schooling will not go to waste. you should be confident about that. You have an extremely good foundation. The key thing to note is it will just be used differently and with a different focus.

Your focus in this course shifts to small business accounting. In many ways it is not complicated at all compared to what you already know.

UA's PB course will help you sort through the large body of knowledge and isloate what you need to know so you can begin to master the skills for small business.

So taking the course will give you the confidence that your accounting knowledge is focused on what you are in business for. You will learn nothing new but you will learn things at a different angle and will know how to formulate your questions specific to small business accounting with more confidence.

It is almost like you know too much about accounting with your background. Also, to further your credentials and as you are getting experience, you can try for the AIPB CB designation after the PB degination.

This designation is a bit harder and the requirements are more strict. You have to achieve a two-year experience requirement in bookkeeping. You probably all ready have that completed with your background. When you pass the tests you will need to take Continuing Education to uphold your designation.

I am also enrolled in UA's Professional Bookkeepers course and have UA's Quckbooks course. I think they are very good courses to refocus my accounting skills. It is not hard it is just a refocus and refresher specific to small business.


You are right it never hurts to review. I dont think you are going to learn anything new based on your background. What I think will happen is you will isolate and hone on the things you need to know to do small business bookkeeping and taxes.

In other words, you will brush up on the accounts and bookkeeping knowledge pertaining to small business. All the concepts and theories (debits/credits) will apply but it will now be more specialized to small business instead of large business.