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Member You - Small Business - Is The Accounting Profession Ripping Them Off?
Four Simple Steps To Brainstorming Your Business Niche
Have you ever envied, as I have, those fortunate individuals who seemed to know from a very early age exactly what they wanted to do with their lives? And who seemed easily to avoid the series of false starts and disappointments with which most of us have to contend early in our careers.They had their setbacks, no doubt, but dealt with these confidently and comfortably in the knowledge that they were securely embarked on their true course in life.Most of us are not so lucky, and if we come eventually to the idea (the very sound idea) that our future lies in having our own business we face a bewildering range of possibilities, to say nothing of the untold hazards and pitfalls.So the question is: just where do you start?Richard Branson, multi-millionaire creator of the Virgin empire, is one stupendously successful entrepreneur who has no doubt. “Have fun and the money will come”, he likes to say. Easy enough for
rkshop was intended to drag participants into the 20th century.Have you ever envied, as I have, those fortunate individuals who seemed to know from a very early age exactly what they wanted to do with their lives? And who seemed easily to avoid the series of false starts and disappointments with which most of us have to contend early in our careers.They had their setbacks, no doubt, but dealt with these confidently and comfortably in the knowledge that they were securely embarked on their true course in life.Most of us are not so lucky, and if we come eventually to the idea (the very sound idea) that our future lies in having our own business we face a bewildering range of possibilities, to say nothing of the untold hazards and pitfalls.So the question is: just where do you start?Richard Branson, multi-millionaire creator of the Virgin empire, is one stupendously successful entrepreneur who has no doubt. “Have fun and the money will come”, he likes to say. Easy enough for
“Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years”, he told us. The 25 participants were shocked. These represented vibrant accounting firms from all around Australia, both large firms and small. They were at the cutting edge of the industry. Otherwise they would not have been at this kind of workshop.
To a person they resented that comment and one fellow wanted to punch him on the nose. (It wasn’t me, but I would have held his coat).
By the week’s end we discovered how we were charging high fees for things that our clients couldn’t understand, couldn’t use and didn’t need. At the same time we were neglecting the information that they did nee
Tele-selling Training Materials
When teleselling training material to corporations or midsize businesses it is very important to make sure you are talking to the decision maker. Generally in a large corporation there will be someone who is head of training and they will have things that they need. Since training is the key to the survival of any large company you will have the exact audience you need to pitch your products.One of the best ways to do telephone sales for training materials is while you have the customer or potential client on the line have them go to the web site and walk them through a demonstration and a video. By doing this they can see exactly what it is that you are selling and this will increase sales tremendously.There are hundreds and thousands of customers in the United States that are fairly large businesses that need more training material and they cannot get enough. With all the rules and regulations and potential lawsuits they
My 16 year-old daughter said, “Gee Dad! You look just like an accountant”
When teleselling training material to corporations or midsize businesses it is very important to make sure you are talking to the decision maker. Generally in a large corporation there will be someone who is head of training and they will have things that they need. Since training is the key to the survival of any large company you will have the exact audience you need to pitch your products.One of the best ways to do telephone sales for training materials is while you have the customer or potential client on the line have them go to the web site and walk them through a demonstration and a video. By doing this they can see exactly what it is that you are selling and this will increase sales tremendously.There are hundreds and thousands of customers in the United States that are fairly large businesses that need more training material and they cannot get enough. With all the rules and regulations and potential lawsuits they
And she wasn’t being complimentary.
Accountants are perceived to be boring, stodgy and conservative.
Over the years we’ve been the butt of many jokes. I’ve heard them all.
Why did the accountant cross the road? Because he looked up the file and that’s what they did last year! Ha Ha!
What do accountants use as a contraceptive? Their personality! Ha Ha!”
Why do accountants become accountants? They don’t have the charisma to be undertakers! Ha Ha!
What do they call an accountant at the bottom of the sea? A bloody good start! Ha Ha!
I think I am the exception.
That’s why I’ve begun to call myself a business strategist and counselor. “You’re still an accountant,” says teenage daughter.
I am still an accountant and I’m still as passionate about it as the day I started. Because accountants have an impact on people’s lives. The advice we give changes people’s businesses which in turn changes their lives. I’m excited in my role of accountant.
Accounting is not stodgy. Accounting is exciting. Accounting is cool! My ambition is to become the “cool dude of accounting”. (do they still say “dude”, do they still say “cool”. Remember that song: When I say, “cool, man, cool, I don’t mean cool, man, cool, I mean you leave me cold, Jack”)
We were throwing some ideas around with some of our clients as we do from time to time, looking for that unique benefit that our firm gives to our clients. That unique something that distinguishes us from other accounting practices.
One said, “You have helped me to improve my business. Not only am I making more profits and have more to spend, but I also have more time to spend away from the business. The more time I spend at home with my family the happier my life is. And the happier I am the happier my wife and children seem to be.
When my wife is happy all sorts of good things happen – even our sex life improves. That’s it! You can advertise that using Kelvyn Peters CPA and Associates improves your sex life”
I don’t think so!
Sorry, we haven’t accepted his idea. You’re completely on your own in that department, but we can help you improve your business and consequently your life. And your goal might not be extra profit but extra time for living! We know we can because we are doing it for others.
We repeat ourselves so often because the truth is the truth and there is only a limited number of ways to tell it. You’ve heard this before. If you are spending every waking moment in a hassle about your business, there must be a better way. There is!
Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years
In 1973 I attended a workshop for accountants at the Finance Management Research Center then headed by Dr Keith Cleland. The workshop was intended to drag participants into the 20th century.
“Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years”, he told us. The 25 participants were shocked. These represented vibrant accounting firms from all around Australia, both large firms and small. They were at the cutting edge of the industry. Otherwise they would not have been at this kind of workshop.
To a person they resented that comment and one fellow wanted to punch him on the nose. (It wasn’t me, but I would have held his coat).
By the week’s end we discovered how we were charging high fees for things that our clients couldn’t understand, couldn’t use and didn’t need. At the same time we were neglecting the information that they did need
Money Clips: The Perfect Executive Gifts for the Savvy Giver
If you think hurdling the job interview had been tough, wait until it's time to give executive gifts. Selecting executive gifts can be a terrifying and time-consuming process, particularly because this is a time for confusion and self-doubt. What in the world can you buy for the boss who has everything? Or for the officemate whose cubicle is right next to yours? What do you give to that special client whose single real estate purchase helped you meet the downpayment for your new car?The most useful thing to remember in choosing executive gifts is to consider the personality of the recipient. Paperweights with humorous sayings, for example, won't meet much appreciation from that serious vegetarian who sits three cubicles to the right. Similarly, a bouquet of flowers will only meet blank looks from your dour, 58-year-old male boss who is always to busy he doesn't have time to smell his newly cleaned office, much more a bunch of poinsett
s why I’ve begun to call myself a business strategist and counselor. “You’re still an accountant,” says teenage daughter.If you think hurdling the job interview had been tough, wait until it's time to give executive gifts. Selecting executive gifts can be a terrifying and time-consuming process, particularly because this is a time for confusion and self-doubt. What in the world can you buy for the boss who has everything? Or for the officemate whose cubicle is right next to yours? What do you give to that special client whose single real estate purchase helped you meet the downpayment for your new car?The most useful thing to remember in choosing executive gifts is to consider the personality of the recipient. Paperweights with humorous sayings, for example, won't meet much appreciation from that serious vegetarian who sits three cubicles to the right. Similarly, a bouquet of flowers will only meet blank looks from your dour, 58-year-old male boss who is always to busy he doesn't have time to smell his newly cleaned office, much more a bunch of poinsett
I am still an accountant and I’m still as passionate about it as the day I started. Because accountants have an impact on people’s lives. The advice we give changes people’s businesses which in turn changes their lives. I’m excited in my role of accountant.
Accounting is not stodgy. Accounting is exciting. Accounting is cool! My ambition is to become the “cool dude of accounting”. (do they still say “dude”, do they still say “cool”. Remember that song: When I say, “cool, man, cool, I don’t mean cool, man, cool, I mean you leave me cold, Jack”)
We were throwing some ideas around with some of our clients as we do from time to time, looking for that unique benefit that our firm gives to our clients. That unique something that distinguishes us from other accounting practices.
One said, “You have helped me to improve my business. Not only am I making more profits and have more to spend, but I also have more time to spend away from the business. The more time I spend at home with my family the happier my life is. And the happier I am the happier my wife and children seem to be.
When my wife is happy all sorts of good things happen – even our sex life improves. That’s it! You can advertise that using Kelvyn Peters CPA and Associates improves your sex life”
I don’t think so!
Sorry, we haven’t accepted his idea. You’re completely on your own in that department, but we can help you improve your business and consequently your life. And your goal might not be extra profit but extra time for living! We know we can because we are doing it for others.
We repeat ourselves so often because the truth is the truth and there is only a limited number of ways to tell it. You’ve heard this before. If you are spending every waking moment in a hassle about your business, there must be a better way. There is!
Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years
In 1973 I attended a workshop for accountants at the Finance Management Research Center then headed by Dr Keith Cleland. The workshop was intended to drag participants into the 20th century.
“Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years”, he told us. The 25 participants were shocked. These represented vibrant accounting firms from all around Australia, both large firms and small. They were at the cutting edge of the industry. Otherwise they would not have been at this kind of workshop.
To a person they resented that comment and one fellow wanted to punch him on the nose. (It wasn’t me, but I would have held his coat).
By the week’s end we discovered how we were charging high fees for things that our clients couldn’t understand, couldn’t use and didn’t need. At the same time we were neglecting the information that they did nee
Cosmetics & Toiletries - Global Outsourcing & Private Label Manufacturing
Hi, My name is Rasik Botadra, am currently working as an Analyst with business news magazine & new papers.I am writing this article in view of India emerging as Highly potential Global Outsourcing & Solutions Provider for finished Consumer products & General Merchandise. India has always kept her stand in Global competition right from the beginning for Finished Products such as Cosmetic & Toiletries but limited to certain market segments.After recent globalization and change in policies the opportunities for manufacturers & exporters have widen. Today we can say that the producers are coming-off their age from traditional methods. The developments are becoming trend setting. The Manufacturers are versatile to cope up with the vibrant consumer behavior.The globalization in terms of foreign trends & acceptability has penetrated finely into the Indian buying market and so is the Local manufacturer’s struggle to captivate th
ith some of our clients as we do from time to time, looking for that unique benefit that our firm gives to our clients. That unique something that distinguishes us from other accounting practices.Hi, My name is Rasik Botadra, am currently working as an Analyst with business news magazine & new papers.I am writing this article in view of India emerging as Highly potential Global Outsourcing & Solutions Provider for finished Consumer products & General Merchandise. India has always kept her stand in Global competition right from the beginning for Finished Products such as Cosmetic & Toiletries but limited to certain market segments.After recent globalization and change in policies the opportunities for manufacturers & exporters have widen. Today we can say that the producers are coming-off their age from traditional methods. The developments are becoming trend setting. The Manufacturers are versatile to cope up with the vibrant consumer behavior.The globalization in terms of foreign trends & acceptability has penetrated finely into the Indian buying market and so is the Local manufacturer’s struggle to captivate th
One said, “You have helped me to improve my business. Not only am I making more profits and have more to spend, but I also have more time to spend away from the business. The more time I spend at home with my family the happier my life is. And the happier I am the happier my wife and children seem to be.
When my wife is happy all sorts of good things happen – even our sex life improves. That’s it! You can advertise that using Kelvyn Peters CPA and Associates improves your sex life”
I don’t think so!
Sorry, we haven’t accepted his idea. You’re completely on your own in that department, but we can help you improve your business and consequently your life. And your goal might not be extra profit but extra time for living! We know we can because we are doing it for others.
We repeat ourselves so often because the truth is the truth and there is only a limited number of ways to tell it. You’ve heard this before. If you are spending every waking moment in a hassle about your business, there must be a better way. There is!
Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years
In 1973 I attended a workshop for accountants at the Finance Management Research Center then headed by Dr Keith Cleland. The workshop was intended to drag participants into the 20th century.
“Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years”, he told us. The 25 participants were shocked. These represented vibrant accounting firms from all around Australia, both large firms and small. They were at the cutting edge of the industry. Otherwise they would not have been at this kind of workshop.
To a person they resented that comment and one fellow wanted to punch him on the nose. (It wasn’t me, but I would have held his coat).
By the week’s end we discovered how we were charging high fees for things that our clients couldn’t understand, couldn’t use and didn’t need. At the same time we were neglecting the information that they did nee
8 Ways to Boost Service Business Revenues Part 2 of 2
If you want to boost your service business revenues consider these ways to improve customer loyalty and generate more sales - without investing in expensive advertising campaigns.6. Evaluate your customer portfolio to identify high-value segments. It may not sound nice to say, but not all clients are equal. So it is important to assess which clients are profitable for you.Identify the characteristics that make your good clients valuable to you. Review your sales records, data on previous clients and other sources to determine the profile of your ideal client. This enables you to define a segment that you can consequently target with your marketing efforts. Consider:The type of service your clients are buying from you.The nature of their 'need' that you have addressed.Their type of business - by industry or by size (e.g. sales, employees, facilities).The degree of their knowledge of your services. Sorry, we haven’t accepted his idea. You’re completely on your own in that department, but we can help you improve your business and consequently your life. And your goal might not be extra profit but extra time for living! We know we can because we are doing it for others.
We repeat ourselves so often because the truth is the truth and there is only a limited number of ways to tell it. You’ve heard this before. If you are spending every waking moment in a hassle about your business, there must be a better way. There is!
Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years
In 1973 I attended a workshop for accountants at the Finance Management Research Center then headed by Dr Keith Cleland. The workshop was intended to drag participants into the 20th century.
“Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years”, he told us. The 25 participants were shocked. These represented vibrant accounting firms from all around Australia, both large firms and small. They were at the cutting edge of the industry. Otherwise they would not have been at this kind of workshop.
To a person they resented that comment and one fellow wanted to punch him on the nose. (It wasn’t me, but I would have held his coat).
By the week’s end we discovered how we were charging high fees for things that our clients couldn’t understand, couldn’t use and didn’t need. At the same time we were neglecting the information that they did nee
“Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years”, he told us. The 25 participants were shocked. These represented vibrant accounting firms from all around Australia, both large firms and small. They were at the cutting edge of the industry. Otherwise they would not have been at this kind of workshop.
To a person they resented that comment and one fellow wanted to punch him on the nose. (It wasn’t me, but I would have held his coat).
By the week’s end we discovered how we were charging high fees for things that our clients couldn’t understand, couldn’t use and didn’t need. At the same time we were neglecting the information that they did need to increase their profits and safeguard their businesses.
20 Years Later what’s Changed?
I attended a week long seminar hosted by CPA Australia in 1993 which was to train us in “client based accounting”. Dr Cleland presented the initial module. He did not openly criticize accountants this time, after all, it was the CPA’s hosting it, but he gave almost the same speech (same jokes, too) as he had 20 years before.
“These things aren’t taught in Universities”, he said, “so the accounting profession has mostly ignored them. They have let small business down but things are changing”.
Know-it-all, Kelvyn Peters had to jump to his feet and say that the doctor had said exactly the same thing 20 years ago. Where were the signs of change? Universities were still not teaching accountants how to help their clients.
“This seminar with CPA Australia and the suggestion they might make client based accounting a speciality is a good sign”, he replied.
10 Years Later…
Nothing has changed. Our hopes have withered on the vine and small business must look elsewhere for help.
Recently I was called in to assist an ailing restaurant. We were happy to work with their existing accountant. We’d rather do the fun stuff and let the accountant do the boring tax returns and compliance work.
In this case the client insisted we take over the whole of the accounting function.
The accountant was most unhappy. “They are difficult clients”, he said, “I have kept the fee lower than it should be and I have done extra to help them”.
Indeed, he had! The financial statements were beautiful to behold with colored graphs and key ratios compared against industry average. (most accountants still don’t do that.
I had advised that both wages costs and cost of foodstuffs were too high. Our focus was to form tactics to reduce them.
“But I had already told them that”, said the Accountant, “what do they need you for?’
I told him that the client knew the kitchen wages were too high and what he wanted was for someone to show them how to reduce the wages in the kitchen.
“I can’t do that”, he said, “I’m an accountant”. I would have to camp down there in the restaurant to see what’s going on. And they wouldn’t pay the fee”.
Yes they would. They were going to pay me.
Most accountants see their role as being the provider of financial statements, cash-flow projections and tax returns, and there’s the rub.
Each of these is a tool not an end in itself. It’s like giving the client a hammer and saw and telling him to go build a house. He needs more than the tools, he needs to be shown how to use them.
Of course the client will complain about fees whatever the level if all he receives are not useful to him.
Accountants generally are flat out preparing financial statements and tax returns. Meeting dead-lines.
If you want to boost your service business revenues consider these ways to improve customer loyalty and generate more sales - without investing in expensive advertising campaigns.6. Evaluate your customer portfolio to identify high-value segments. It may not sound nice to say, but not all clients are equal. So it is important to assess which clients are profitable for you.Identify the characteristics that make your good clients valuable to you. Review your sales records, data on previous clients and other sources to determine the profile of your ideal client. This enables you to define a segment that you can consequently target with your marketing efforts. Consider:The type of service your clients are buying from you.The nature of their 'need' that you have addressed.Their type of business - by industry or by size (e.g. sales, employees, facilities).The degree of their knowledge of your services. Sorry, we haven’t accepted his idea. You’re completely on your own in that department, but we can help you improve your business and consequently your life. And your goal might not be extra profit but extra time for living! We know we can because we are doing it for others.
We repeat ourselves so often because the truth is the truth and there is only a limited number of ways to tell it. You’ve heard this before. If you are spending every waking moment in a hassle about your business, there must be a better way. There is!
Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years
In 1973 I attended a workshop for accountants at the Finance Management Research Center then headed by Dr Keith Cleland. The workshop was intended to drag participants into the 20th century.
“Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years”, he told us. The 25 participants were shocked. These represented vibrant accounting firms from all around Australia, both large firms and small. They were at the cutting edge of the industry. Otherwise they would not have been at this kind of workshop.
To a person they resented that comment and one fellow wanted to punch him on the nose. (It wasn’t me, but I would have held his coat).
By the week’s end we discovered how we were charging high fees for things that our clients couldn’t understand, couldn’t use and didn’t need. At the same time we were neglecting the information that they did nee
Web Sites that Help You Doing Business in China
In this article, we will talk about different web sites that are useful when doing business in China, includes search engine, business directories and some other websites.According to latest research made in fourth quarter 2005, there are over 100 million Internet users in China. (China rank second just after U.S.) However, it just covers 7.9% of the population. More important is that 63% of these Internet users have performed online purchase. Over the past ten years, the growth rate of Internet user is 300%. We can expect that the online market in China have enormous potential.First We will introduce different search engines in China and Hong Kong. (Hong Kong is always the gateway for your business to get into China, so we will get it in count). If you want to get your website be searched by 100 million Internet users, you'd better make submission to the following search engines. Most of these search engines welcome website in
rkshop was intended to drag participants into the 20th century.In this article, we will talk about different web sites that are useful when doing business in China, includes search engine, business directories and some other websites.According to latest research made in fourth quarter 2005, there are over 100 million Internet users in China. (China rank second just after U.S.) However, it just covers 7.9% of the population. More important is that 63% of these Internet users have performed online purchase. Over the past ten years, the growth rate of Internet user is 300%. We can expect that the online market in China have enormous potential.First We will introduce different search engines in China and Hong Kong. (Hong Kong is always the gateway for your business to get into China, so we will get it in count). If you want to get your website be searched by 100 million Internet users, you'd better make submission to the following search engines. Most of these search engines welcome website in
“Accountants have been ripping off their clients for years”, he told us. The 25 participants were shocked. These represented vibrant accounting firms from all around Australia, both large firms and small. They were at the cutting edge of the industry. Otherwise they would not have been at this kind of workshop.
To a person they resented that comment and one fellow wanted to punch him on the nose. (It wasn’t me, but I would have held his coat).
By the week’s end we discovered how we were charging high fees for things that our clients couldn’t understand, couldn’t use and didn’t need. At the same time we were neglecting the information that they did need to increase their profits and safeguard their businesses.
20 Years Later what’s Changed?
I attended a week long seminar hosted by CPA Australia in 1993 which was to train us in “client based accounting”. Dr Cleland presented the initial module. He did not openly criticize accountants this time, after all, it was the CPA’s hosting it, but he gave almost the same speech (same jokes, too) as he had 20 years before.
“These things aren’t taught in Universities”, he said, “so the accounting profession has mostly ignored them. They have let small business down but things are changing”.
Know-it-all, Kelvyn Peters had to jump to his feet and say that the doctor had said exactly the same thing 20 years ago. Where were the signs of change? Universities were still not teaching accountants how to help their clients.
“This seminar with CPA Australia and the suggestion they might make client based accounting a speciality is a good sign”, he replied.
10 Years Later…
Nothing has changed. Our hopes have withered on the vine and small business must look elsewhere for help.
Recently I was called in to assist an ailing restaurant. We were happy to work with their existing accountant. We’d rather do the fun stuff and let the accountant do the boring tax returns and compliance work.
In this case the client insisted we take over the whole of the accounting function.
The accountant was most unhappy. “They are difficult clients”, he said, “I have kept the fee lower than it should be and I have done extra to help them”.
Indeed, he had! The financial statements were beautiful to behold with colored graphs and key ratios compared against industry average. (most accountants still don’t do that.
I had advised that both wages costs and cost of foodstuffs were too high. Our focus was to form tactics to reduce them.
“But I had already told them that”, said the Accountant, “what do they need you for?’
I told him that the client knew the kitchen wages were too high and what he wanted was for someone to show them how to reduce the wages in the kitchen.
“I can’t do that”, he said, “I’m an accountant”. I would have to camp down there in the restaurant to see what’s going on. And they wouldn’t pay the fee”.
Yes they would. They were going to pay me.
Most accountants see their role as being the provider of financial statements, cash-flow projections and tax returns, and there’s the rub.
Each of these is a tool not an end in itself. It’s like giving the client a hammer and saw and telling him to go build a house. He needs more than the tools, he needs to be shown how to use them.
Of course the client will complain about fees whatever the level if all he receives are not useful to him.
Accountants generally are flat out preparing financial statements and tax returns. Meeting dead-lines.
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