Work with Time, Not against It

Practice 10 Time-Saving Techniques

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. – Benjamin Franklin

Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back. – Harvey MacKay

You know what they say, time is money. So if you can learn to better use your time, you’ll increase your bottom line. So how do you go about practicing better time management in order to log more billable hours, making your workday more productive? We’ve gathered ten time-saving techniques that should help.

1. Practice delayed gratification
Often we perform the most appealing tasks first. The problem with this approach is that it often causes the dread for those less-appealing tasks to build, tempting you to delay them even longer and waste more time in the long run. Approach the more consuming tasks at the beginning of your day when you have the most energy; the rest of your day will prove to be more enjoyable (and productive!).

2. Prioritize
At the beginning of each day determine which tasks are most important and timely. That way you ensure that you’re not only productive but responsible, completing those jobs that need your attention first.

3. Make a To-Do List
Using the list of priorities from above, create a To-Do list. You can fill in your list with other less crucial, but still necessary tasks (like running errands or returning phone calls).

4. Plan ahead
While it’s important to plan your daily schedule you should also look ahead and see how you can plan for future projects. For example, as tax season approaches are there things you can do now to prepare, making that crunch time easier and less stressful? As you use down time to manage future tasks you’ll find that you’ll complete them more quickly, giving you even more time for other duties and activities.

5. Organize
Taking the time to organize your office, your files and your supplies will help you work more efficiently. That time you spend organizing now will pay off in the long run because you’ll avoid wasting time later trying to find those things you need.

6. Group like tasks together
You can save time by completing similar tasks at the same time. For example, return phones call all at once, catch up on all your email, or send all your faxes together. You’ll be focused on the task at hand and can maximize that time it takes to open your email, search for phone numbers, and operate the fax machine.

7. Power shop
As with number six, when you run your errands all at the same time (and buy supplies in bulk) you’ll save a significant amount of time.

8. Avoid unnecessary meetings
Countless hours could be saved in avoiding unnecessary meetings. Evaluate all appointments currently on your calendar and ask whether or not you could eliminate any by corresponding over the phone or via email. Some people spend hours at meetings designed to gather information or answer a series of questions that could easily be addressed through some other, more time-efficient means.

9. Get it right the first time
Do a job right the first time. It may take longer, but it will ensure the quality of your work and eliminate the need to revise your work or redo it altogether.

10. Take a break
You can’t imagine how much time you save in taking reasonable and necessary breaks. Working hard for days on end without interruption or that occasional vacation will eventually take its toll, either through job burnout or illness, costing you in productivity later.

Everyone can improve their time management, and thankfully, it takes little time to implement any of these ten time-saving techniques. Try applying just one a day to see the difference it makes. Imagine all the hours you can save in one month of utilizing these time-saving tips.

A Safety Net

What cannot be achieved in one lifetime will happen when one lifetime is joined to another. -Harold Kushner

Because tax preparation doesn’t require much interaction, at times you may feel lonely and isolated. To counter that you must build a support system. Not only will this provide you with involvement in a professional community, but interacting with your peers can also help you discover ways to improve your business. Here are some places to look for like-minded business professionals.

Professional Organizations

There are many organizations you can join in order to network with other tax professionals. Some of these include the National Society of Accountants (NSA) and the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP). The NSA represents more than 30,000 independent practitioners who provide accounting, tax, auditing, financial, and estate planning and management services to 19 million individuals and businesses. The NATP is a non-profit organization designed to provide taxpayers with vital information and knowledge. It exists to serve professionals who work in all areas of tax practice and has more than 17,000 members nationwide, including tax preparers, enrolled agents, public accountants, accountants, attorneys and financial planners.

There are also organizations designed to help the self-employed. The Small Business Association is an independent agency of the federal government designed to assist, promote, and protect the small business owner. Their site contains many useful resources including free newsletters.

Local Organizations

You’d probably be surprised to discover there are local organizations designed to support the community while providing business owners with networking opportunities. One of the best places to start is with your local Rotary Club. Comprised of local business owners, the Rotary Club will expose you to potential clients and networking associates. And because the Rotary Club maintains high ethical standards, it is a good organization with which to be associated.

You may be surprised at what you find when you start doing a little research. There are countless local organizations (some of them non-profits) designed to help small businesses succeed. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to get the support you need.

Online Forums

It can be difficult to find a group of small business owners with whom you can ask questions, share insights, and offer advice. Luckily there are online discussions groups, listservs and forums to help you connect with these individuals, including the Small Business Community Forums.

There are also a lot of online tax and accounting forums designed to help financial professionals connect. Universal Accounting Center has developed a forum for accountants and tax preparers to provide just that community environment you may have been searching for. Please join us and make our community stronger. Members are free to ask questions, provide resources and take advantage of the resources others may offer. We also ask that you give us feedback on our articles and suggest topics you’d like us to cover. Join us today!

Picking the right organization(s) to frequent and possibly join will not only expose you to professionals like yourself, but will alert you to key conferences, workshops and other events where you can meet even more potential members of your support system.

References
National Association of Accountants (NSA)
National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP)
Rotary International
U.S. Small Business Association
Small Business Community Forums

It’s mid-summer and you’re probably experiencing a lull in business; not too many are interested in taxes this time of year. What are some things you can do? We have a suggestion. Why not use this time to enhance your skills and become a full service financial provider? You’ll be able to increase your service offerings and turn your business into a full-time, year-round venture. It’s finally time to quit your day job and give yourself a raise.

How Easy Is It?

You may think that adding accounting services to your offerings would require a lot of time, energy, and money. That’s simply not true. In 60 hours you could not only have the skills, but the confidence to perform small business accounting for a growing niche market. Universal Accounting Center’s Professional Bookkeeper (PB) Program provides hands-on training in the day-to-day accounting tasks required by small businesses. From payroll to bank reconciliations, you’ll learn how to manage more than your clients’ books; you’ll also become their Profit Expert, informing them how they can increase their business’s profitability and success. Imagine how valuable that service would be to small business owners who often struggle to last longer than 5 years.

Testimonial: This course has really helped open options I never thought I had before. The training was easy to understand, and the hands-on work emphasizes that understanding and know-how.-Barbara W.

How Much Could You Make?

We’ll do more than give you an average income range; we’ll share an equation that will help you calculate how many clients you will need to earn the income you desire. You can charge the average client $300/month. If you have 20 clients you’re earning $6000 per month. That’s $72,000 in one year, and that number doesn’t even take into account how much you earn during tax season. Depending on your needs, you can increase or decrease the number of clients in order to hit your target income.

Testimonial: As of July 1st, I am leaving my job of 15 years and working my business full time. I already have enough clients, on contract, to give me a larger annual income than I had working for my employer.-Robbie Ursu

How Many Clients Could You Have?

We challenge you to take a drive down your main street or thumb through the yellow pages of your local phone book. How many small, local businesses can you find? And that doesn’t even include the countless entrepreneurs working from their homes. Your potential client base is huge and continues to grow every year.

Testimonial: After completing UAC’s training I opened my business. I now have 15 clients, and have only had one meeting that did not result in a new client.-Victoria Richardson

How Long Would It Take To Get Started?

The Professional Bookkeeper Program is designed to teach you everything you need to know to get started. And because operating an accounting and bookkeeping practice from your home requires little to no startup costs, you could have your practice up and running as soon as you’re ready. This program is practically a ready-made business; you add confidence and stir.

Testimonial: I did not imagine that I could face this world out there and talk confidently about accounting and bookkeeping, let alone start my own business in it. But having this class, I have developed the confidence that I need to go out there and be on my own and the confidence to make a go at it. I’m ready to face the world!!!-Julie M.

Now is the perfect time to take advantage of a lull in business to grow your clientele and become a full-service financial provider. It’s not only easy, but profitable and can take just a couple months to get started. You’ve already got a strong base with your tax preparation business. Why not take advantage of your standing by growing your business this summer?

The Professional Bookkeeper Program

It’s never been so easy to grow your tax practice into a full-service financial consultancy.  By adding bookkeeping services to your menu your business becomes busy year-round, enabling you to quit your day job and live your dream as a self-employed financial professional.  Don’t delay your future; enroll in the Professional Bookkeeper Program today!

(Part One of a Two-Part Series)

You still have a few weeks until the April 17^th deadline, and chances are you’re swamped with tax forms and to-do lists. And while you probably recognize that the busier you are the more lucrative the season, it doesn’t make the stress go away. But there are some things you can do to better manage the stress and alleviate some of the anxiety. Here are 10 of 20 stress relieving techniques that we hope will help.

1. Get up 15 minutes early.

Having the extra time to get ready for the day ahead is always good. Use the time to take a deep breath, enjoy a good breakfast, or plan your day.

2. Take the time to plan your day.

Sometimes we let ourselves get caught up in the chaos of the day without really planning for it. Take some time before you start working to order your priorities and make lists of what needs to be done.

3. Be realistic.

When planning your day, be realistic. Have a list of must-do’s and another list of would-be-nice-to-do’s. When we have unrealistic expectations, we invite stress into our lives.

4. Avoid procrastination.

Procrastination causes stress. And you might be surprised at all the time you waste worrying about those tasks you’re procrastinating. Don’t put off anything you could realistically do today.

5. Tackle unpleasant tasks first.

People generally procrastinate unpleasant tasks (and procrastination causes stress). When planning your day, see that you tackle the unpleasant tasks first. You’ll find the rest of the day is much more enjoyable.

6. When you’ve reached maximum stress-capacity, take a break.

We all know the feeling; we’ve lost our focus and every task we undertake seems to be going wrong. That’s a sign that we’ve reached maximum stress-capacity and need a break. Do something enjoyable to give your brain a break.

7. Schedule breaks into your day.

Everyone needs a break to clear their mind and start again refreshed. Don’t just wait for those times when you’ve reached maximum stress-capacity; every couple hours take a break, even if it’s just to push yourself away from your desk to get a breath of fresh air.

8. Everyday treat yourself to something you enjoy.

Live is a dreary thing if you don’t enjoy it. Be sure that everyday you take the time to do something that makes you feel good: exercise, watch a favorite program, listen to music, talk to a friend.

9. Do things right the first time.

Never walk away from a task or project with the understanding that you’ll probably have to “fix” it later. If you know that it’s incomplete or incorrect, go back until the job is properly done. It saves you the time worrying about it later.

10. Get enough sleep.

It’s easier to face a full and chaotic day when you’ve gotten your sleep.

While stress is inevitable this time of year, you can still manage that stress so that you don’t burn out. Take the time to take care of yourself. And return next week to read 10 more stress-relieving techniques.

(Part Two of a Two-Part Series)

When you have a big deadline just weeks away, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. We congratulate you for all the good business, but know you need more than our good wishes in order to survive the stress. Last week we gave you these 10 stress-relieving techniques to help you better manage the chaos of tax season and other big deadlines:

1. Get up 15 minutes early.
2. Take the time to plan your day.
3. Be realistic.
4. Avoid procrastination.
5. Tackle unpleasant tasks first.
6. When you’ve reached maximum stress-capacity, take a break.
7. Schedule breaks into your day.
8. Everyday treat yourself to something you enjoy.
9. Do things right the first time.
10. Get enough sleep.

Here are 10 more that we hope will carry you through the rest of the year for all your big deadlines and for next year’s tax season.

11. Rethink all current appointments; think twice before scheduling anymore.

When facing a big deadline, it would be a good idea to look at all your appointments and question their necessity. People will understand if you must reschedule when faced with a lot of pressure. And don’t schedule any new appointments unless absolutely necessary.

12. Schedule time for yourself and your family.

Your family probably wonders if you’ll ever resurface and spend quality time with them. While it may not seem like you have any time to spare, it can be extremely rejuvenating to take an hour or two and do something relaxing with your family. It also can give you the perspective you need to make it through the most hectic times.

13. Work one project at a time.

When you look at all the files on your desk or imagine the tasks you still have left to do, it can be paralyzing. But rather than thinking of what’s left to do, take it one project at a time. And be sure to congratulate yourself at the successful completion of each task.

14. Recognize when things go well and be grateful.

At stressful times in our lives we have a tendency to look at the negative and feel discouraged by all the things that seem to go wrong. Instead, make a conscious effort to acknowledge the positive and be grateful when things go well. This will help your mood tremendously which will make tackling all those tasks much easier.

15. Organize your office space.

Often we feel stressed because our work environment is cluttered and chaotic. Piles of paperwork and a messy desktop not only cause stress, but it makes you less productive. Imagine all the time you would save if everything was where it belonged. And imagine how good you would feel to work in a clean and organized workspace.

16. Have something to do in case you have to wait.

Getting stuck in rush-hour traffic or in a backed-up doctor’s office can be stressful, especially if you spend that time thinking about all the things you could be doing. Anticipate these moments and carry work with you. Just be sure it’s travel-friendly and kept safe.

17. Don’t spend your free time worrying.

When you do finally get some free time to spend relaxing or with your family, don’t let the stress of work follow you. Give yourself permission to take a mental vacation from work so that you can enjoy the time and recharge your battery.

18. Do something for someone else.

Often the best cure for personal worry and stress is to do something kind for someone else. It will help shift the focus from you to someone in need, and you’ll feel good. Chances are you’ll be able to recognize the value of your deed and will be the object of someone’s gratitude.

19. Delegate.

When possible, delegate tasks. Your family will probably be more than willing to help if it means they can spend more time with a less stressed you! Consider simple tasks that don’t require your knowledge or expertise (filing, organizing, mailing, etc.).

20. Plan your celebration.

You should always take the time to reward yourself for work well done. And planning some type of celebration, regardless of how small, will give you something to look forward to when it’s all over.

Be sure to take care of yourself; you’ll be surprised at how much easier work seems when you’ve taken the time to relieve stress. Good luck!

To read more stress-relieving techniques, visit the National Headache Foundation.

5 Decompression Tips That Will Make You a Better Business Owner

The man who doesn’t relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on. – Elbert Hubbard

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. – Ovid

Tax season is finally over and with it many of the demands on your time and energy. After the hectic three-month stretch of being over-scheduled and over-worked, it’s time you gave your mind and body the break they need. Unfortunately too many small business owners feel that running at break-neck speeds is the only way to get ahead, and while that may be true for awhile, neglecting your own needs will soon catch up with you and take a toll on your professional and personal lives. To avoid that you should take this opportunity to decompress and energize. We believe you’ll find it will make you a better business owner in the end.

Here are 5 tips on rejuvenating yourself and your business.

1. Take a vacation
The most obvious thing you can do to relax is take a vacation. Whether you leave now or in three months, often the planning of this vacation will begin to make a difference in your overall temperament. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy yourself. Consider what would best help you relax and then make your plans; a three-day weekend spent camping can make be just the thing you need to return to work with a new and improved state of mind.

2. Attend a professional conference
We should note that you don’t have to choose between tip #1 and tip #2. It would be great if you could take a vacation and attend a professional conference because both serve different, yet important, purposes. When you attend a professional conference you may be able to relax and unwind while learning new things that will enhance your business. Remember, your expenses are tax deductible and should be considered a personal investment that will make you a better financial professional.

3. Exercise
We’re guessing that the busier tax season became, the more you neglected your personal needs, like exercise. The great thing about exercising is it can help you relax and relieve stress. If you’ve gotten out of the habit, or were never in the habit begin with, now is the time to schedule in regular exercise in order to get your blood flowing, your muscles flexing, and the endorphins releasing. You’ll find that it helps you become a healthier and happier business owner.

4. Reconnect with friends and family
Tax season can feel like a state of hibernation during which you lose touch with loved ones. Now is a good time to reconnect. This can be accomplished in the simplest of ways: via email, on the phone, or over lunch. If you’re craving more interaction consider entertaining a large group of people at a barbeque or dinner party. Just ensure that reconnecting doesn’t cause more stress in the process.

5. Start meditating
Regular meditation can help you decompress daily. As you take the time to regroup and relax, you’ll find you’re more peaceful and productive. If your schedule is tight, work in 10 to 15 minutes a day. Scheduling a regular time for meditation and reflection in your daily planner will pay large dividends in the long run.

You deserve a pat on the back for all that hard work you did throughout tax season. But more than a pat on the back, you’re in need of some serious relaxation. Only when you take the time to take care of yourself will you be well prepared to be the best business owner you can be. Go ahead-Relax!

(Part One of a Three-Part Series)

Minding Your Landline Manners

As a business owner you know that communication is vital. Whether that communication takes place electronically, face-to-face or over the phone makes no difference; you want all your correspondence to be clear and effective. Communication via phone can be extremely efficient because it’s much like a face-to-face meeting where you’re able to manage issues in real time. However, it also poses some significant challenges; for instance, you can be easily distracted by something completely unrelated to your phone conversation.

In addition to enabling you to communicate effectively, phone conversations also enable you to build a stronger relationship with clients; what you do on the phone can make or break your professional image. In order to sustain a positive reputation as a tax preparer you need to practice good phone etiquette. Here are some things to remember when making and taking calls:

Making a Call

There are a few things to remember when making a call. Sometimes you won’t get through to the person you intended to reach, but you’re still required to make those interactions as purposeful and polite as possible. Here are four things to remember:

1. Remove all distraction. As discussed above it’s important that your listener feel that you’re focused on the conversation at hand. This means you shouldn’t work while talking. You should also ensure that other family members won’t be interrupting you while in the midst of your phone call.

2. Speak slowly and clearly. In order to be successful you must be understood. Whether you have a natural inclination to rush through presentations or you become nervous and speak quickly, you must practice achieving a good pace, one that enables you to annunciate your words well enough that your party doesn’t have to work at understanding you. Also remember that you must warm up your vocals before you make that first call of the day. Even though you may have been awake for a few hours, if your throat hasn’t gotten that wake up call with a little speaking practice you may end up sounding like you’re making the call from your bed.

3. Identify yourself, your business and the purpose of your call. Nothing is more disconcerting than getting a business call from someone who doesn’t identify themselves, their business and the purpose of their call. You must remember that every call should have a purpose, and if you’re unable to communicate that purpose effectively than you’re wasting time. Whether you’re talking to a receptionist or the intended party, you want your communication to be clear and effective, and that requires you to identify yourself and your purpose upfront.

4. Estimate the length of your business. You should prepare the listener for the length of your business. Don’t tell your party it will only take a minute if it really requires 20. That will end up frustrating your business associate, making it more difficult for you to accomplish your purpose. Be honest, and if necessary, reschedule a time that will better accommodate your schedules and your objectives.

It’s important that you remember that all correspondence contributes to your professional image, and that includes each and every phone call you make. By attending to a few simple rules of phone etiquette you’ll be able to maintain that professional image you’ve built your business upon.

Come back next week when we’ll talk about using proper phone etiquette when answering a call and using voicemail.

(Part Three of a Three-Part Series)

Minding Your Cell Phone Manners

Last week we discussed the importance of answering your business phone properly. In this last article of this series on phone etiquette we will discuss proper etiquette when using your cell phone. Cell phones enable us to keep in touch despite location. They’ve become a great convenience and have advanced our ability to remain in contact with our businesses and all the contacts that make those businesses thrive. Unfortunately, cell phone users can take it a bit too far, making their business everyone’s business by talking about private issues in very public places, taking calls regardless of the company they’re in, and disregarding many cell-free zones like libraries and hospitals. If you have a cell phone it’s important that you mind your wireless manners, because when you don’t you endanger your professional image and irritate those around you.

Consider the following 7 rules of cell phone etiquette:

1. Respect cell-free zones.
Libraries, museums, theaters, hospitals, dentist offices, churches, and all other cell-free zones should be respected. Otherwise you appear unprofessional and disrespectful which may be discouraging to potential clients.

2. Don’t take personal calls when doing business.
Unless an emergency, it is rude to take personal calls when meeting with other professionals. In fact, it’s a good idea to turn your cell phone off before you enter meetings, presentations, or lunch appointments with associates.

3. Maintain a safe parameter when carrying on a conversation in public.
While at the library a few weeks ago a man began carrying on a very private conversation with his mother where he talked about his drug addiction, the halfway house where he was currently residing, and the twelve-step program he was having trouble following. Not only was it a cell-free zone, but he was surrounded by about 5 people in a very quiet area; at the end of his call we all knew more about him than we wanted to know. Whether a personal or business call, no one wants a conversation thrust upon them, especially when it is one of which they did not agree to participate.

4. Wear an earpiece to better hear your caller and gauge your voice level.
If you know you’ll be in a noisy area it’s good to wear an earpiece which helps you better engage with your caller.

5. Demand that employees follow your rules of proper cell phone etiquette.
If you have employees it is important that you enforce your own version of cell etiquette when they are in your office. One unprofessional misstep could send the wrong message to your clients.

6. Inform callers that you are speaking on a cell phone.
It is good to let listeners know when you are on a mobile because they will be better prepared for the common interferences associated with cell usage.

7. Avoid loud and annoying ring tones.
While it may be fun to find unusual and distinct ring tones, they can sound annoying to listeners. And because you use your cell phone for business, everything about your wireless conversations should be professional, including your ring tones and its volume level.

With every great technological advance come some disadvantages. While accessing business associates may be more convenient with your cell phone, you must recognize that sometimes that comes with a price. If you don’t want to disturb those around you and come across as rude and inconsiderate then you must follow simple rules of cell phone etiquette. The seven listed above will help you get started.

(Part Two of a Three-Part Series)

Minding Your Landline Manners

With one thoughtless flick of the wrist you can answer the phone and compromise your career. We can’t stress enough the importance of practicing good etiquette in all your correspondence. Because regardless of your intentions, each time you communicate you’re speaking for your business.

Last week we discussed the importance of practicing phone etiquette when placing a call. This week we’ll examine the significance of answering a phone properly.

Answering a Call

Whether you or your secretary manages this task, you should never underestimate the importance of taking calls. The way in which your business phone is answered speaks volumes of your professionalism. Consider the following when tackling this important responsibility:

1. Identify yourself and your business. Each time you or your secretary answers the phone your business must be identified. This orients the caller and assures them they’ve reached their intended party. And imagine how disconcerting it is for a caller to place a business call only to have someone answer with a simple, “hello?” They may wonder if they have dialed the wrong number.

2. Watch your tone. It’s important that whoever answers your phone speaks with a friendly and approachable tone. The more personable your answering service, the more approachable your business.

3. Ask for permission to put someone on hold. If you must put someone on hold, ask for their permission first and estimate the length of their wait. This demonstrates respect for the caller and his/her time.

Voicemail

Yes, there is a certain amount of etiquette required when recording your voicemail message. Like any other correspondence, your outgoing message contributes to your professional image. A lackluster or incomplete voicemail recording may not inspire your callers to leave their message, thus loosing potential business. Remember to include the following when creating your recording:

A few moments pause. This time enables callers to prepare for your recording and process everything that will be relayed. Also remember how important it is to speak slowly and clearly.

A greeting. All work and no greeting can leave callers feeling short-handed. While it may be a business call, it doesn’t have to be sterile. Consider a greeting that will set the tone of your recording.

Your name. Before leaving a message your caller wants the assurance that they’ve reached their intended party.

The name of your business. Whether they were calling you specifically or your business, stating the name of your business will again reassure callers that they’ve called the right number.

The date. How frustrating is it to call a number that can no longer take calls because the voicemail is full. When your outgoing message includes a current date your callers realize that you manage you voicemail regularly and don’t allow messages to pile up. This assures them that you will return their call in a timely manner.

Estimated wait for a return call. Whether it is 24 or 48 hours, providing callers with an estimated wait for a return call is respectful and professional.

An emergency number. You don’t want callers to take advantage of an emergency number, but you do want them to have the help they need when they need it. When you provide callers with your home phone, the number of a business associate, or a call service, you enable panicked callers to talk with a person who can put them at ease.

You’d be surprised at how much impact your phone etiquette can have on callers. Not only can it help promote your professional reputation, but it’s the perfect start to a good track record with customer service. You’re promoting retention when callers feel as if their needs are being met.

Come back next week when we will discuss cell phone etiquette.

Serving You with Our Free Newsletters

We enjoy sending you information that we hope improves your work as a tax preparer. Our three newsletters, AB Tips, Tax Tips, and Career Tips, are intended to help professionals like you advance in whatever their current position in the financial field. The AB Tips Newsletter is designed to share accounting and bookkeeping tips with subscribers. Intended for individuals with their own accounting practice or for those who would like to start their own practice, we specifically include tips on how to market your services, how to streamline tasks, how to organize your office space, etc. Our Tax Tips Newsletter is for tax preparers or those interested in tax preparation. We provide tax news, information on starting your own business, tips on building your clientele, etc. And finally, we have our Career Tips newsletter, for those who work or would like to work in the accounting field. In this newsletter we include information on getting the right job, advancing in your field, moving into management positions, etc.

As we learn more about your needs, we alter our approach in order to better serve you. We’re adding a few things to the newsletter that we hope you enjoy. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included and how we hope it helps you.

Two articles

Since we began running our free ezines over two years ago, we have included two articles every issue that offer accounting and tax information, tips on running and marketing a small business, career guidelines and promotional pieces. The newsletters provide us with the opportunity to share our products and services with those we believe they best serve. Universal’s programs are top of the line and life-changing; we promote them because we know they help people like you achieve career goals and realize your business dreams.

We also use the newsletter as an opportunity to expose you to our many free resources, including personalized information from our President and CEO, Allen Bostrom in Allen’s Blog, UAC’s accounting and tax forums, the newsletters, and the Universal video tour.

Recently we’ve responded to requests for purely informational pieces as well. Last summer we asked newsletter subscribers to tell us what you wanted to read about. For the past six months we’ve tried to include articles on all suggested topics. Each newsletter contains one, if not two, informational pieces. We continue to welcome your feedback as we write articles intended to help you improve your financial services. Please visit our forums for a chance to give us feedback on past articles and suggestions for future articles.

Press Releases and New Products

We want you to be in the know about everything Universal, so we include all press releases, enrollment offers, and information about new products in our newsletters. From our new interactive testing center to our customized Professional Bookkeeper Program for Canadian residents, we want you to be the first to know what’s happening at Universal Accounting Center.

Quotable Quote

Everyone could use a little inspiration now and then, so we like to include a quotable quote in each issue of our newsletters. Funny quotes, somber quotes, quotes that make you want to get up and accomplish something, we try to include a variety that inspire and uplift.

“The Bottom Line”

And last but certainly not least is an upcoming addition to our newsletters: a video clip we call “The Bottom Line.” In the serious world of financial statements, taxes, and projected profits, the bottom line is that we like what we do and can enjoy a good laugh about our profession. The humorous clip is intended to help lighten your load and improve your day. We hope you look forward to this new feature and share it frequently with coworkers, family, and friends.

We want our newsletter to help you move forward in your goals as a financial professional. So stay tuned as we continue to improve our newsletters so that they can better serve your needs. We appreciate your support.