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APTina

New Member

11/18/11 8:32pm PST
Viewed by asker 04/06/12 11:37am PDT

Standard Operating Procedures Help

US QuickBooks Premier : 2012: Accountant

I am interested in working with someone to create a system or standard operating procedures for working with my bookkeeping and payroll clients. I want to create a step by step guide to service their needs. Has anyone done this before?

In 1-2 months I will be Quickbooks Certified and working towards my Pro Bookkeeper Certification through AIPB. I have opened a small business but am lacking some practical experience. I would like to have a standard checklist that I just work through so that I can be sure that I have not missed any steps.

I have not worked in an Accounting office before and the majority of my experience with Quickbooks and Accounting has been at a previous employer and by doing the books for several friends' small business. I am in school finishing a degree in Accounting so accounting concepts are not a problem.

I feel like I am at a disadvantage because I have not had the mentorship of a qualified, productive and organized accountant. However, I know that with a little guidance I can do a great job.

I am really serious about this new venture and have invested all of my time into learning how to do it right. In fact I have already created steps for paper free onboarding via Docusign and SalesForce CRM for bookkeeping and payroll service. I have invested in a ScanSnap so I will scan all docs into SmartVault. I also am looking into Quickbooks Hosting for my potential clients so I can really be in the clouds. As you can see I have done a great deal of research, I just need a little help with bookkeeping workflow.

Thanks for your time.

Cristina Garza

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Cristina Garza
Accountingprose
Accountingprose.com

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5 Replies

SuzieQFL

Allstar

11/21/11 9:27pm PST

1) I have stackable bins that I put work in. Each bin has a client. I use sticky notes to identify what's in that bin. That way you don't get client files mixed up. 2) I keep a "to do" list of work as it comes in. The list has the day the work was received, client name, what needs to be done, and estimated hours needed to complete the work. Work is generally done in the order received but if I'm only planning to work two more hours today, I'll skip over a five hour project so I can finish a 1-2 hour project. 3) Send emails to your clients of additional info needed. When they don't get the info to you, resend that email instead of sending a new one. Less likely to say it's the first they've heard of it.

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APTina

New Member

11/30/11 8:20pm PST

Thanks for answering my questions Suzie. I am creating a standard operating procedure manual for my business. I think it might be more detailed than bins and sticky notes, but this is a very good idea. I will share my plan when I am done. I guess I am just looking to be sure that each client gets A+ service and nothing is missed. Also, I would like to create this manual so that when I am absent (on vacation or ill) my assistant (yet to be hired) can know exactly what needs to be done and can just check off the list.

Again, I appreciate your response.

Cristina Garza

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Michelle Long CPA

Allstar, Accountant Community AllStar

12/02/11 10:57am PST

The solution

Check out the PPC guides -- they probably have some that will help you.

There are a lot of free resources on my website to help you start your business too. Check it out: www.longforsuccess.com 

there are free webinars, podcasts, info on average billing rates and more. Subscribe to my blog too -- I just posted about a free webinar I'll be doing on Intro to Social Media and Chuck Vigeant is doing on one on Intro to Pivot tables. www.longforsuccess.com/blog

Author of the books 'Successful QuickBooks Consulting' http://amzn.to/lJqmb8 and
'How to Start a Home-Based Bookkeeping Business' http://amzn.to/jNk9Bg
www.LongforSuccess.com - my blog, resources, webinars & more

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JRCass

New Member

04/04/12 9:53am PDT

Hey APTIna. I am just working on starting up my small business too but it sounds like we are doing much the same things. You indicated you might be willing to post your SOPs when complete. How is your process coming?

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APTina

New Member

04/06/12 11:37am PDT