Launching my business

After working for a few years as a full time bookkeeper for a local plumbing company, I stumbled across the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program. Having worked with QuickBooks daily for a number of years, I had self taught using not much more than trial and error, a sample company file and the help menu.

What caught my attention the most was the ability to be listed on the referral database once I became certified - for one price, I could get all the software I need to support clients, training and a certification to show potential clients that I knew what I was doing (I'm not a CPA) and a built way to advertise. What could be better?

I went through the training, took the exams, and within 3 months of becoming certified, I started getting calls from the referral database. Within 6 months of paying my dues, I had billed enough to pay for the membership costs, and within 12 months, I was able to quit my full time job to start my own business as a bookkeeper and QuickBooks consultant.

Seven years (and lots more hard work) later, I'm a member of the Intuit Trainer/Writer network, have clients from coast to coast and have the flexibility in my schedule to drop off and pick up both of my kids every day to school and daycare, attend special events with them, and not worry about having to stay home and snuggle when one of them is sick.

Advice for others

 The biggest piece of advice I can offer to accounting professionals and consultants that support QuickBooks clients is to get certified, keep certifications up to date and have a completed profile in the ProAdvisor referral database. The training and resources available help keep us up to date, and the database ensures that those in need of a QuickBooks expert can find one, and hopefully it's you!