Friday, September 3, 2010

So you think you don't need a bookkeeper?

So you think you don't need a bookkeeper?  Well in some cases that may be true.  But think of it this way.  The time that you spend on billing, collections, payables could outweigh the time spent on looking for new business...and in the end what have you to show for it?

Bookkeepers not only record the information after it happens, we also take care of the billing and payables as they happen.  How can you concentrate on meeting with that new client while in the back of your mind you are thinking about preparing that invoice for Mr. Jones, that telephone call to Ms. Johnson regarding her past due bill or did I make that payment to PSEG this morning?

Business Owners wear many hats but bookkeeeping shouldn't be one of them.  Just like you hire Sales Representatives to sell your service or Customer Service Representatives to handle the customer inquiries you need someone managing your Accounting Department.

Now, you are the Solo Owner, the Sales Representative and the Customer Service Department all wrapped in one.  And you are trying to manage your bookkeeping as well.  After talking with clients and customers all day...what is the first thing you want to do? Bookkeeping?...Not!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

My First Client - Sanyika Calloway Boyce

I remember meeting my first client.  I was so afraid of messing up, that wouldn't get the account, that they wouldn't like me....All kinds of thoughts went through my head.  So you can imagine how excited I was when she hired me.

We are still together today.  Weathering the storm that the economy has put on us. 

When I met her I believe she was starting her business full time as an self-published author.  She had published a book for teens called "Crack Da Code".  Money tips for young people.  Adults need it but it starts with our young adults.

She was and still is too busy to deal with bookkeeping, so that's my job.  At first, I was responsible for the data entry.  I was to make sure that all company books are updated.  Now that was June, 2005. I even made a copy of my check like they do in convenience stores.

I also remember that I barely knew about QuickBooks so in the midst of acquiring clients, I was still learning the software.  Luckily for me, all that was required was data entry.

Sanyika came from Corporate America just like me.  But she was lead to publish the book and promote it.  She is an accomplished Author, Speaker, Financial Coach, Media Star. She's got so much energy that you have to wonder where she puts it all. 

Today, my functions have taken a more administrative approach, and I like that. That means that we have been together long enough to trust each other.  Where there is trust, there is growth.