CPA wanting to start home business

where in Arkansas are you located? I am located in Nixa, MO (just north of Branson). I am not a CPA but started my own home based accounting business last Sept for same reasons as yours - was tired of 80 hr weeks. I was blessed with a client who immediately wanted me to promise to work in his office approx 20-25 hrs per wk. That allowed me to step out in faith with opening my own shop. I have stayed away from writing payrolls which I felt was a good decision. Really restrains you on your time. I do write up work, bank rec, payroll tax reports, 1099s, W-2s, and quickbook training. I am finding that most accountants/tax prep/CPA firms are not familiar with QkBks and don't want or have the time to learn it. Since I don't do tax returns, this makes a nice way for mutual referals. My business has grown in the last 9 mths to being full time (sometimes more than full time).Please feel free to call me - 417-725-6053Kathy ImanKJI Enterprises, LLC

You will definitely want to contact the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB) at www.nacpb.org. They can definitely help you build a public bookkeeping business using QuickBooks. Cathy Hernandez, CPB Certified Public Bookkeeper Member: NACPB

Read Michelle Long's book. It's awesome. You can find it on Amazon. I know she is around here somewhere and the title is in her signature. I have it at home or I'd give it to you myself. :)Elaine

Michelle's information is as follows:Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBA----Owner of M. Long Consulting, LLC Author of Successful QuickBooks Consulting: The Comprehensive Guide to Starting and Growing a QuickBooks Consulting Business -- www.SuccessfulQuickBooksConsul... Providing QuickBooks consulting, training and troubleshooting remotely (via web access) and on-site, CFO services, and coaching for small business owners.Cathy Hernandez, CPBCertified Public BookkeeperMember: NACPB

Kathy,I am located in Jonesboro. When would be the most convenient time to give you a call?Thanks!

Well thanks Cathy & Elaine! I was in San Diego at the Intuit Accounting Professionals Users conference last week--which was a great conference by the way! I can't wait for the next one!I left the corporate world and started my own business 17 years ago--and I've never regretted it!!! It does take some time to build up the business, but you can speed things along if you 'hit it hard' with your marketing and seeking referrals.If you haven't yet, you should join the ProAdvisor program and get Certified--that helps with credibility & getting clients.Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBAAuthor of: Successful QuickBooks Consulting: The Complete Guide toStarting and Growing a QuickBooks Consulting Businesswww.SuccessfulQuickBooksConsul...

I am also a CPA and starting my own business from home. I plan to mostly concentrate on bookkeeping and financial reporting for small businesses thru quickbooks. I just became a ProAdvisor. I was wondering if anyone has any business announcement letters they are willing to share? I'm looking for examples to get started on my marketing.Thanks,Brandon Harris

Thanks everyone for the replies. Since I am working full-time right now, I am trying to start my business on the side until I generate enough income to quit my job. It would be nice just to go full-speed ahead with everything, but I have no choice but to work full-time until things get going. We have about 15 rental properties so I'm considering trying to become an expert in real estate tax and marketing myself to that area. Also, there are so many real estate agents in our area that I wondered how it would work out if I took some CPE in real estate tax and small business tax so I could tarket Real Estate agents. I have found some brochures that are geared toward real estate agents so I could staple my business card on it and then hand them out. My other idea is to get some postcards geared to new business owners and mail them out every week to newly incorporated businesses. Just some ideas. Any comments/opinions on this?

If you already have some industry expertise, developing a specialty/niche can be a great idea. However, it may be more difficult right now since the RE industry and housing market is in a downturn. They may be cutting costs so it may be hard to get new clients right now.You might consider ordering some Simple Start CDs and put a label on them with your name and contact info. You can pass those out (instead of or along with) your business cards.I think targeting new businesses is a great idea! They often need help, but don't know where to look for it.Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBAAuthor of: Successful QuickBooks Consulting: The Complete Guide toStarting and Growing a QuickBooks Consulting BusinessMLongConsulting.com

wow, who knew there was somewhere I could find some helpful ideas. I'm like many of you with the exception of this is my second time around... I did some "big business" consulting the first go round but it felt too much like a job so I ended up doing just that... taking a job. This time I want to focus on the "little guy & gal" who is more like me, a small at-home business trying to crave out my niche.I'm working on my QB ProAdvisor Certs and I ordered a few books on amazon (Including Michelle's and I can hardly wait from them to get here!)...

Michelle's book is great. From reading it, I have a better idea of what needs to be done. I'm just getting my business started. I have become certified in QB 2007 and 2008, and will look to add 2009 to get the Advanced Certification. I am keeping my full-time job, and doing this as a side business. If anyone has any ideas about how to best handle a full time job and a side business, I'd love to hear them.

Hi cmpeden, If you're growing your business while working full-time at your "day job" I'd highly recommend marketing your services using pay-per-click search advertising with Google and Yahoo. Here are the reasons: 1. Prospects are using the internet more and more to research purchases. We've all been there even for small product purchases. Our research has found that prospects looking for important services such as certified public accountants spend time searching Google and Yahoo for a provider. But, a traditional CPA website with the typical Home Page, Our Services, About Us, Contact Us structure will not work. Your content needs to be focused on a specific service you want to market.2. You're marketing while you're at your day job, but online so it doesn't interfere with your job. Building referral relationships won't be an option until you can break away from your current employer to visit with people face to face during the day. 3. You can budget a very small amount to spend on your pay-per-click advertising by choosing specific search keywords and only advertising in your local area...which Google and Yahoo both let you do. 4. You can pause your online ad campaigns at anytime if you start to pickup a client here and there and can't handle all of the new work load at one time. I teach cpa services marketing and I'd be happy to help if you need me. You can also check out this article I wrote which will be in the editorial section of the AICPA's CPA Insider this Monday. www.60secondcpe.com/pages/cpa_... Hope this helps and best of luck (you'll have fun) ---chris. Chris Jarski, CPA, MBA (888) 841-7775

Chris,This is the most helpful information that I have seen in a long time... with the exception of Michele's book. I am looking for ways to market my services while working the "day job" too. Can you give me more info on how to use PPC with Google and Yahoo? Please email or call 732-233-1981 or clarissekenney@yahoo.comMaking tax time less stressful and the Notary Public who travels to you! Visit www.kenneytax.com

I also would like information on Yahoo and Google.

Hi Clarisse- thanks so much for the kind compliment. I'll email you a power point presentation from a course I just taught that should be a big help to get you started.Best of luck ---chris.

Hi Brenda, if you let me know your email address, I can send you a power point presentation that'll get you started.Sincerely --chris.

Chris,I am also new to the business and would love a copy of the powerpoint. My email address is rag1954@aol.comThanksRandy

Chris, I am also new to the business; and would love to have the power point presentation. Would you please email it to me at ken@socratesfinancial.com? Thanks in advance. Ken

Chris, I would also like to have a copy of this. My email: LNKeeble @ knology.net (remove spaces, please). Thanks so much.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have spoken with Chris and we will be posting this presentation on the site in the very near future. Rather than have this discussion grow and grow with numerous requests, I ask that everyone hold off on posting anymore requests and wait until we get this posted.Thanks,Jim