•   QuickBooks has dozens of different versions and each year the program changes - it will help your advisor to know ahead of time the year and version of your program        

  Let your advisor know if you are running QuickBooks on more than one computer and if they are networked.

•  When you run your accounting files on more than one computer you can sometimes end up with multiple copies of the file. This can potentially cause a variety of problems so it’s important to know if this issue needs to be addressed.     

• If you are new to the program your advisor will know to work more slowly and explain every move. If you are a longtime user you can skip over the basics and get right to the problem at hand, saving both of you time, and saving you money.

How knowledgeable are you about the bookkeeping and accounting pieces of your business - do you understand the jargon?

• It helps if you know some basic bookkeeping terms and using the program will be much easier with this knowledge. Let your advisor know if you don’t understand the words being used or the terms that appear in QuickBooks. A quick bookkeeping lesson will go a long way in helping you better understand what you are doing and why.

Have a list of specific questions to ask, and be prepared to explain any problems you need to resolve.

• As you discover problems in your QuickBooks work file, or as questions come up during the course of your business day, jot them down in a Word file or on a note pad. The more prepared you are the faster your problems can be solved.

Let your advisor know how much you want done for you vs. how much you want to do yourself.

• If you have a big cleanup let her know if you want to learn how to find and fix the problems yourself; if you want her to find the problems but you’ll fix them; if you want her to find and fix the problems but with you watching; or if you just want to give her the whole file and return it to you when it’s clean and accurate.

Do you have a budget and do you need to work out a schedule to make the training or clean-up fit into your budget?

• See the previous entry - the more work you do yourself and the more you are willing to learn, the less it will cost you in the long run. Scheduling two-hour blocks of time for intense training, and doing so on a regular basis every 2-4 weeks, is the best way to learn the program and to discover ways to effectively use it to manage and grow your business.

Working with a QuickBooks ProAdvisor can not only save you time, money, and aggravation, but it can also significantly increase your overall knowledge of this powerful and effective business tool.

As many of you have experienced, QuickBooks training or cleanup can be very time consuming.  To help you better manage your time, these tasks can be completed online and over the phone using a remote access tool.  I am currently using one called ” GoToAssist Express” which is produced by Citrix, the leading name in remote access. 

How does this work?  When you call or e-mail me with a request for QuickBooks help we start by scheduling in a time to “meet” online.  I then send you an e-mail with a link to the “GoToAssist” website where you will type in an access code.  As soon as this code is entered, our two computers will be able to communicate with each other.  This is soooooo cool…and you won’t believe how easy it is!

This connection allows me to see YOUR computer screen on MY computer screen.  It also allows me to run your QuickBooks program with you watching my every move.  However, even though I have full control of your program, you can take back that control at any time by simply moving your mouse.  This system allows me to show you what I’m doing and to explain things as we go along, and you can show me areas that need attention.  Anything that we can do in person in QuickBooks can now be done without leaving the comforts of your office.

A few things to consider: 

• This works best if you have a high-speed internet connection
• It’s advisable to have a headset or speaker phone for sessions lasting more than 15-minutes (to save on neck cramps…)
• The more prepared you are with your questions, the more focused and successful the session
• Planning regular monthly or quarterly sessions will enhance your QuickBooks knowledge and make year-end cleanup easier and less time consuming - and your tax preparer will love you!

This system is fast, easy, and convenient - I encourage you to give it a try!