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Dex_phoenix

Outsourced Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting Specialists
Lynnwood, Washington
Biz Talk » Business Advice »
Posted by Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA, Lynnwood, Washington | May 23, 2012

Subscribe to Business Advice What Do You Want From Your Bookkeeper / Accountant / Tax Preparer?

We are seeking input that will help us provide better service to our clients. It does not matter where you are located or the size of your company. Any advice, insights, input, observations, good experiences, bad experiences are greatly appreciated.

Warm Regards,

Randal DeHart

Contractors Accounting And Bookkeeping Services

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12 Bizniks have posted replies

  • Activator Methods Chiropractic Care Everett, Washington Dennis Dilday
    Posted by Dennis Dilday, Everett, Washington | May 24, 2012

    Bookkeeper: I like my bookkeeper. She comes to my business off hours and does what I don't want to do. She could anticipate my needs slightly better. She could make fewer mistakes with the numbers. But, in general, I am very happy.

    Activator Methods Chiropractic Technic in Everett, WA
  • Certified Cat Behavior Consultant Nashville, Tennessee Pam Johnson-Bennett, CCBC
    Posted by Pam Johnson-Bennett, CCBC, Nashville, Tennessee | May 24, 2012

    I appreciate the fact that my accountant/tax preparer helps me with future issues in order to maximize my gain. She takes a real interest in my business and my goals.

  • Outsourced Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting Specialists Lynnwood, Washington Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA
    Posted by Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA, Lynnwood, Washington | May 24, 2012

    Dennis,

    Thank you for your comments. I appreciate that you took time to answer.

    Your bookkeeper sounds like she is doing a good job. The mistakes with numbers is a little concerning depending on the dollar amounts.

    We had a bookkeeper with similar situation and it was due to her feeling rushed. Once I assured her it was better to be a slower and more accurate the issue disappeared.

    Warm Regards,

    Randal

    Contractors Accounting And Bookkeeping Services
  • Outsourced Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting Specialists Lynnwood, Washington Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA
    Posted by Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA, Lynnwood, Washington | May 24, 2012

    Pam,

    Thank you as well for your comments. I appreciate that you also took time to answer.

    It is always good to hear when someone is getting good service from their accountant/tax preparer.

    Your accountant/tax preparer appears to be proactive and treating you as a valued and respected client.

    Warm Regards,

    Randal

    Contractors Accounting And Bookkeeping Services
  • merchant services / credit card processing Art Torelli Seattle, Washington Arthur Torelli
    Posted by Arthur Torelli, Seattle, Washington | May 25, 2012

    Bookkeepers should be proactive. They many times have the best look at a companies overall health. If they see a potential trouble spot they need to speak up. I have seen a few companies go down when the bookkeeper kept their mouth shut and tried to coverup problems.

    Turning plastic into cash for your business.
  • Outsourced Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting Specialists Lynnwood, Washington Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA
    Posted by Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA, Lynnwood, Washington | May 25, 2012

    Arthur,

    Thank you also for your comments. I appreciate always appreciate when someone takes time to answer.

    You are 100% right, some bookkeepers will keep quiet and try to cover up financial health issues.

    We have seen that a number of times when a business that is having trouble making payroll or paying taxes comes to us for help.

    Warm Regards,

    Randal

    PS:

    I see by your profile your are in merchant services processing.

    We are HUGE fans of all businesses accepting credit and debit cards and any other forms of electronic payment.

    Make it easy for customers to do business is one of the keys to success in our consulting tool box with our clients. Cash Is King! Anytime a business can trade a few dollars in fees for a few hundred dollars in add on sales is simply a "No Brainer"

    In the early 1990's we owned a plumbing service and repair company without a retail storefront that was one of the first ones in Washington State to be approved to take credit cards.

    We purchased a VeriFone Tranz 420 for just over $3,000 and the discount rate was just over 4%.

    The add on sales and massive increase in cash flow, even after investing in the machines and paying the fees, we generated by offering more ways to make a purchase than telling customers they had to use cash or check allowed us to triple the size or our business in less than three years and doubled again a few years later.

    Warm Regards,

    Randal

    Contractors Accounting And Bookkeeping Services
  • merchant services / credit card processing Art Torelli Seattle, Washington Arthur Torelli
    Posted by Arthur Torelli, Seattle, Washington | May 30, 2012

    Thanks for that plug Randal; just so you know the price of all of that stuff has come down quite a bit now. That is why it works though.

    Turning plastic into cash for your business.
  • Outsourced Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting Specialists Lynnwood, Washington Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA
    Posted by Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA, Lynnwood, Washington | May 30, 2012

    Arthur,

    You are most welcome!

    Warm Regards,

    Randal

    Contractors Accounting And Bookkeeping Services
  • Editor and Writer Seattle, Washington JoAnne Dyer
    Posted by JoAnne Dyer, Seattle, Washington | Sep 05, 2012

    I need a tax accountant who is completely trustworthy, as I'll be opening up my financial world to him or her for the first time. I also want someone patient with my lack of skills in that area.

  • Outsourced Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting Specialists Lynnwood, Washington Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA
    Posted by Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA, Lynnwood, Washington | Sep 06, 2012

    JoAnne,

    Thank you for your comment and I agree with you 100%!

    We are all novices outside our area of expertise. Having taken my cars and trucks to the auto mechanic to be worked on has humbled me many times.

    The experiences have helped me to experience what our clients feel when they ask a question about how to understand their Profit And Loss and Balance Sheet Reports.

    Now I pause and think before giving too much detail when answering those questions. In fact it seems to work out best to give a high level general answer and ask follow up questions to determine how much more information they want.

    I look forward to reading your articles so please keep me posted when you begin publishing.

    Warm Regards,

    Randal

    Contractors Accounting And Bookkeeping Services
  • Accounting, Bookkeeping, Payroll & Taxes Bothell, Washington Sally Dagna
    Posted by Sally Dagna, Bothell, Washington | Sep 06, 2012

    The answers coming in to your question are excellent and so true!

    What we have been seeing more than ever before is new clients whose previous CPAs were not listening to them or really engaging them in conversation about their lives and businesses. Having mutual respect and teamwork is vital when you are turning over your financial world, and they weren't getting that before.

    The prospective clients have made the decision to see if they can find a CPA who CARES about them as a client and has their best interest at heart. That really is the bottom line for them and for us.

    JoAnne hit the nail on the head in her comment above, and that reflects what I am trying to say here. It's crucial that the CPA you entrust everything to is someone you know has your best interest at heart. It should be someone who will take the time to go over the details with you so you understand your return and can talk about any steps that could be taken to make it even better next year.

    The right CPA with high ethical standards is also going to be as selective about which new clients s/he accepts as clients should be about the CPA they put their trust in. Then it's truly a win/win for everyone concerned.

  • Outsourced Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting Specialists Lynnwood, Washington Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA
    Posted by Randal DeHart, PMP, QPA, Lynnwood, Washington | Sep 07, 2012

    Sally,

    Thank you for your comment!

    Warm Regards,

    Randal

    Contractors Accounting And Bookkeeping Services