Recommended Reading List for Tax Preparers
“The best effect of any book is that it excites the reader to self activity.” – Thomas Carlyle
“I often feel sorry for people who don’t read good books; they are missing a chance to lead an extra life.” – Scott Corbett
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney
Whether you have an established tax practice or you’ve been thinking about starting one, you can benefit from the advice of others who have gone before and, in one way or another, achieved success. Once again, we’re helping you find books that will enable you to achieve your business goals. This week we took a cue from Entrepreneur.com to supply you with 5 book recommendations that others have found helpful, in no particular order.
Bill & Dave: How Hewlett and Packard Built the World’s Greatest Company by Michael S. Malone (Portfolio, 2007)
This book follows the rise of corporate giants William Hewlett and David Packard, examining those characteristics that made them both successful. The San Francisco Chronicle calls it “a lesson plan for managers…” while Businessweek calls it “…a biography, management guidebook, and business history, all in one.” What sets this book apart from others is that Malone focuses on the honesty and integrity upon which Hewlett and Packard built their empire.
New Ideas from Dead CEOs: Lasting Lessons from the Corner Office by Todd G. Buchholz (Collins, 2007)
Author Todd Buchholz follows the lives of 10 successful CEOs, including Estee Lauder, Ray Kroc, Walt Disney and Mary Kay Ash. Buchholz himself describes the book’s purpose upfront: “I dare you. Search this book for the solitary secret that will guarantee riches while protecting you from being flung against the wall by competitors. You won’t find it. Not because I have failed to divulge the lives and lessons of great CEOs, but because I tried to reveal the simple truth about making it big: It does not take a village, a Harvard MBA, or even a rich uncle. It takes passion, and obsession with turning a great idea into a sweeping revolution.”
Your Management Sucks: Why You Have to Declare War on Yourself…and Your Business by Mark Stevens (Crown Business, 2006)
This book enables anyone in a management position to reevaluate his/her approach and identify weaknesses that must be overcome in order to run a successful business. In fact, this book presents a week-long “battle plan” that, in Stevens’ own words, “challenges assumptions about success and provides a road map for taking your business to the next level.”
Buddha: 9 to 5 – The Eightfold Path to Enlightening Your Workplace and Improving Your Bottom Line by Nancy Spears (Adams Media, 2007)
This book takes the Buddhist practice called the Eightfold Path and gives it a corporate spin, complete with practical exercises and case studies that enable readers to see the Eightfold Business Path in action. Focusing on the Buddhist concepts of intention, mindfulness, and right action, this book provides a very zen approach to better managing your business, your employees and your work environment.
Red to Black in 30 Days by Allen Bostrom (Universal Accounting Center, 2008)
Small businesses are failing right and left; we hope yours is not one of them. Red to Black in 30 Days enables readers to learn the Universal Project Management Model that will enable them to save failing businesses. This book is a guideline for financial professionals who work with disheartened small business owners in need of a good turnaround plan.
Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process. Simple steps are outlined from initial contact through stabilization and profitable growth. This can be the guide through your first turnaround experience or it can enhance the management skills of even the seasoned tax preparer. You may find that in offering turnaround services your business (and those of your clients) will be the few that thrive in these difficult financial times. For the cost of this one book you can enhance your value to current and prospective clients. Order your copy now.
Resources
Edelhauser, Kristin. “10 Biz Books to Read This Summer.” 31 May 2007 Entrepreneur.com

“The best effect of any book is that it excites the reader to self activity.” – Thomas Carlyle






Step One: Ensuring Client Satisfaction
Universal Accounting is a company that is making a difference in the lives of their students! For those who are pursuing or looking into the possibilities of pursuing a career path into the Accounting, Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation services, you need to get to know more about what all Universal offers in their comprehensive training programs.
We could all probably agree that your beliefs influence your actions. If you believe that your business will succeed if you work hard enough, than chances are you’ll work hard to see the success of your business. We’d like to take that thought a bit further and say that your beliefs not only influence your actions, but they also influence your experience. If you believe that people generally treat each other well, than chances are you’ll not only treat others well but you’ll experience others treating you well.
Obviously successful business owners are in the black. They recognize the value of increasing prosperity in order to expand their business and enhance their success, using their belief system and proven principles of profitability. Allen Bostrum, president and CEO of 
