Questions:
- What Does Carlson Accounting Service Do?
- Who Do We Work With?
- How long does it take to clean up and balance problem books?
- Can you make sure our QuickBooks was set up properly and also train us on how to use QuickBooks?
- We are using QuickBooks and know something is wrong because our numbers are off. Can you help us get things in order?
- Can you review what we're currently doing with QuickBooks and make any suggestions on how we can speed things up and operate more efficiently?
- What geographic areas do you cover?
- I currently do all my accounting with a checkbook and spreadsheet program, what are the advantages of using QuickBooks?
- Why shouldn't I set up QuickBooks myself?
- My books are a mess and I'm really stressed, what should I do?
- How long does it take to learn QuickBooks?
- How often should QuickBooks be backed up?
Frequently Asked Questions
At Carlson Accounting Service, my goal is to help educate you as a small business owner by getting you involved with your accounting process without turning you into an accountant. It is important for you to know what's happening with your businesses finances at all times. If you do not know what's happening with your businesses finances, chances are you could be losing money.
Answers:
What Does Carlson Accounting Service Do?
A - Carlson Accounting is essentially, me, Leslie Carlson, and my expertise in accounting, specializing in cleaning up and balancing problem QuickBooks, and working directly with small business owners. I also specialize in personalized QuickBooks training based on your business model. All accounting consulting services are provided here in the Greater Seattle Area. I also have the ability to remotely login and help you with trouble shooting problems in your accounting and provide monthly/quarterly/or annual “fix ups” to your accounting system.
Carlson Accounting specializes in the accounting aspect of QuickBooks instead of technical support.
If you're a CPA or CFO and do not have the time or the resources to clean up and balance your clients bookkeeping messes, look no further. Carlson Accounting can quickly step in and get your clients QuickBooks cleaned up and balanced and ready for you to perform your duties. We take care of all the nuts and bolts, detailed type work. We will also train your clients on how to properly operate QuickBooks so future engagements will be smooth and seamless. Call Carlson Accounting now at 425-885-3702.
I am not a CPAs, I am a QuickBooks Specialists and am here to help you no matter how bad it seems!
Review, Cleaning Up, Balancing Problem Books and Personalized Training
Customized Setups and Personalized Training
Who Do We Work With?
A - Carlson Accounting specializes in QuickBooks accounting services, and numerous other specialized accounting software programs for the following:
Start-ups and existing companies
Service based companies
Non-profit organizations
People who are tired of struggling with QuickBooks
People who successfully need to manage and operate QuickBooks
People who understand the value of knowledgeable professionals
People who need QuickBooks in order and balanced so they can generate accurate financial reports
People who need to track profitability of projects
People who want QuickBooks CPA ready in 5 minutes or less at tax time.
How long does it take to clean up and balance problem books?
A - Most people have the misconception that problem books can be cleaned up in an hour or two. The truth of the matter is it took months or years to get to this point so there is a high probability it is going to take more than a few hours to unravel things. The longer you wait, the longer it will take to get things straightened out and the more it will cost you to clean up your books. One of the worst things you can do is to procrastinate cleaning up your books and keep entering data which only compounds the problem even more. The best thing to do is have Carlson Accounting clean up your books ASAP and then train you on what to do and what not to do so it doesn't happen again. Training is key. This is why most people have trouble in the first place. Once you know what to do and what not to do, it are highly unlikely things will go haywire again!
Think about this, when you have problem books, not only are your financials off, you're probably losing money (a lot of money) due to inadequate tracking of monies.
We had QuickBooks setup by someone without any accounting experience and we are not sure if it is set up properly. Can you make sure QuickBooks was set up properly and also train us on how to use QuickBooks?
A - Yes, we can review your QuickBooks program to ensure it is set up correctly. If there are problems, we can correct them. We can also train your staff on how to properly use QuickBooks.
We are using QuickBooks and know something is wrong because our numbers are off. Can you help us get things in order?
A - Yes, we can review your QuickBooks program for any problems and correct them. Once your QuickBooks program is in order, your numbers should be accurate and your books should balance.
We've been using QuickBooks for several years now and I'm not sure we're using QuickBooks to its fullest potential. Can you review what we're currently doing and make any suggestions on how we can speed things up and operate more efficiently?
A - Yes, we can conduct a full review of your QuickBooks program to ensure QuickBooks is being used efficiently and correctly. Once the review has been conducted, we can make suggestions, corrections and provide any new training as needed.
What geographic areas do you cover?
A – I am located in the Redmond, WA area and service all the greater Seattle, WA area. I prefer to meet face to face and not depend solely on internet based transactions. I feel in person training and review of your accounting is a much better way to learn. Of course, online support and quick solutions and fixes can certainly be done; I much prefer to work directly with you.
I currently do all my accounting with a checkbook and spreadsheet program, what are the advantages of using QuickBooks?
A - First, operating out of a checkbook and/or using spreadsheets cannot quickly and accurately provide the financial detail needed which is crucial for the day to day operations of a business. The advantage of using accounting software is having detailed financial data at your fingertips so you can determine the financial health of your business on the fly. Accurate financial records can also make the difference between getting that line of credit or loan that is crucial to the survival of your business or not getting the financing you need to keep your doors open.
Secondly, it's about being in control of your finances. Why wait to know where you stand financially. Imagine being able to run financial reports any time you want!
And last but not least, getting things done in seconds by clicking a few buttons in QuickBooks to generate the data your CPA needs to complete your company's taxes instead of you having to spend countless hours, days or weeks rummaging through receipts and mountains of paperwork. Wouldn't you rather be doing something enjoyable with the extra time you save instead?
Decide now to make the switch! It's easier than you think. We can help get you up and running in QuickBooks in no time. Call Carlson Accounting Services now at 425-885-3702. You'll be glad you did!
PS - If your current accounting software is not cutting it, you may want to consider switching over to QuickBooks. Carlson Accounting Service can help you make the move. We can do everything from setup, training and consulting for QuickBooks.
Why shouldn't I set up QuickBooks myself?
A - Unless you have an accounting background, odds are in your favor that you will set up QuickBooks incorrectly resulting in costly discrepancies down the road. The monies you will spend to correct these discrepancies later on will have far exceeded the costs of hiring an accounting professional to set up your QuickBooks in the first place.
Think about this, would you have an attorney draw up an important legal document for you or would you try and do it yourself?
The same goes for accounting which is the heart and soul of a business. If someone does not have an accounting background, why would they take it upon themselves to perform complex accounting routines that are crucial to the success of their business?
My books are a mess and I'm really stressed, what should I do?
A - Call us. Carlson Accounting Service specializes in reviewing and cleaning up QuickBooks. We can review your QuickBooks and correct any discrepancies. No matter how bad it seems, there is always a solution so don't despair! Call us now at 425-885-3702! The sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you get your QuickBooks in order so you can track your business's finances.
How long does it take to learn QuickBooks?
A - You will be amazed at how quickly you can learn QuickBooks with the proper training. Our personalized training allows you to only learn what you need to learn in the shortest amount of time possible as in hours vs. days! Our training is based on how your business operates.
One of the things our training will teach you is how to understand and manage your Chart of Accounts!
You will also learn about financial reports and how to create them on the fly!
How often should QuickBooks be backed up?
A - The question should be how much data can you afford to lose? Carlson Accounting Service recommends backing up your QuickBooks data every time you use QuickBooks. Unexpected power outages, power surges, hard drive crashes, viruses, theft, fires and human errors are some of the most compelling reasons to back up your precious QuickBooks data. Any of the above can result in the loss of some or all of your QuickBooks data and all your other data.
Not only must QuickBooks and your other data be backed up, it should be stored off the premises at another location or you can subscribe to an online backup service. If storing backed up data off the premises is not possible, then invest in a fireproof media safe. Media safes are heavy and expensive.
Battery Backups: One of the best investments you can make is the purchase of a battery backup for your computer. A battery backup is a powerful battery that allows your computer and monitor to run for 10 to 15 minutes or longer even after the power goes out which allows for a safe shutdown. Power fluctuations can damage a computer and destroy data. Abruptly turning off a computer can result in data file corruption which leads to data loss not only in QuickBooks, but in other software programs as well not to mention damaging your Windows operating system. A damaged Windows operating system can be a financial and technical nightmare.
Battery backups are inexpensive, easy to hookup and worth their weight in gold!
End the frustration today and put your QuickBooks problems behind you by calling 425-885-3702
(Carlson Accounting Service does not offer income tax, or investment services. Serving the greater Seattle area only! I am not a CPAs, but am a QuickBooks Specialists! Carlson Accounting Services is not affiliated with Intuit)