February 2010 News

Some of these discussions are currently available as a free download from my website, but I realize that you sometimes don’t have time to check there.  This will be a great way to remind you of the free resources that I make available on my website.

Also, most of you have asked to be included in the announcements of my special events, workshops, classes and training.  This spring, my class schedule is pretty solid and many of the events are available to you; some are sponsored by the Nevada Small Business Development Center at a subsidized fee.  I want to share these dates with you as soon as they are confirmed so that you can plan your schedule.

A newsletter is also a great way for me to let you know when new materials are posted to the website — I know that you like to stay informed.

Many of my clients use QuickBooks and often ask how to “close” their records for the end of the year.  Closing a software package refers to the process of locking previous time periods, so that changes cannot be made (intentionally or accidentally).  Usually, if you need to correct a mistake, you are then forced to create a correcting or adjusting entry in the current period.  QuickBooks doesn’t have a standard year-end close feature, although it does have a “soft” close that is protected by your secret password.  Employees, or part-time bookkeepers, cannot make changes or corrections unless you share the password.   This is a two-second click that will save you anguish!  Learn how to use it — particularly if you have employees.

With that said, there are actions that you can take at the end of the year that will make your life and your business more productive.  You always want to be creative with your system and to think about what information your records provide you and how you can use those records to make decisions.  I have suggestions — all of them simple and straightforward – that I’ll share with you that will make your records and reports more accurate and timely.  Watch for your first tip in the next newsletter!

Understanding Construction Accounting with QuickBooks – Redfield Campus, Reno – February 16.  This class is designed specifically for contractors and builders and will be a full and intensive day.  Please register only if you are a builder, contractor, architect, plumber, electrician, etc.

Details http://www.marie-gibson.com/special-events/

eWeek Nevada

· Invited speaker at SilverSky Group Open House and Q&A

SilverSky Group invites you to join them at their Longley Lane office for a Q&A session.  A group of Reno professionals will offer general information as to how to start, run and maintain a small business venture.  Information and entrepreneurs go hand-in-hand. Small bites and refreshments will be served.  Join us!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: SilverSky Group, 5422 Longley Lane, Suite B

Price: $20 in advance /$30 at the door (All proceeds from this event will go to NCET a 501(c)3 organization.)

Details: www.silverskygroup.com to find out more about SilverSky Group.  Please contact Jacquelyn jfuzell@silverskygroup.com for more event-related information.

eWeek Nevada

· Presenter – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly:  Unfiltered Advice from a QuickBooks Pro Advisor; Common QuickBooks Mistakes and how to Prevent Them

Learn how your daily transactions feed through the Chart of Accounts directly to your financial statements.   Leave this session with confidence that QuickBooks is a program that you will LOVE!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 11:30 – 1:00

We’ll start promptly.  Light lunch included

Location: Morrison University, 10315 Professional Circle, 2nd Floor

Price: $15; proceeds to benefit NCET.org (a 501(c)3 organization.)

RSVP required – Sorry unable to accommodate walk-ins

http://www.marie-gibson.com/special-events/

NCET’s Entrepreneur’s Expo – Las Vegas – Friday, February 19.

NCET’s Entrepreneur’s Expo – Reno – Friday, March 12.  I’m delighted to help support NCET’s Entrepreneurial Expos and eWeek each year.  I will be a presenter and an exhibitor in Reno.  Details regarding the expos:  www.ncet.org .  If you live in the Las Vegas area and would like to schedule my help on Thursday or Saturday, please contact me ASAP.

Introduction to QuickBooks

A two-day workshop, sponsored by the Nevada Small Business Development Center, is specifically designed for new users planning to use QuickBooks. Learn to properly setup, prevent and correct common mistakes, prepare, read and understand common financial reports. Learn how to make your life easier! Attendees take a 200+ page workbook with them. Class is taught in traditional classroom style, eliminating hands-on computer use for optimum learning!

What you can expect from this class -

o Become a Confident User

o Master the Fundamentals of QuickBooks Accounting Software

o Expert training and advice

o Set up a simple, inexpensive, hassle-free accounting system

o Learn the Simplest Way to Track Income and Expenses

o Complete Accounting Tasks Quickly and Accurately

o Don’t Waste Time Through Trial and Error

o Prepare necessary records for governmental and other business purposes

o Understand your reports for business decision-making

o How-to manual with directions and examples to take home

Introduction to QuickBooks – Hawthorne – February 22 and 23

Details:  https://ssl.nsbdc.org/education/calendar

Introduction to QuickBooks – Pioche – February 24 and 25

Details:  https://ssl.nsbdc.org/education/calendar

Introduction to QuickBooks – Reno, Redfield Campus; March 17 and March 18

Details:  https://ssl.nsbdc.org/education/calendar

Introduction to QuickBooks – Winnemucca – March 22 and 23

Details: https://ssl.nsbdc.org/education/calendar

Introduction to QuickBooks – Lovelock – March 24 and 25

Details:  https://ssl.nsbdc.org/education/calendar

Stepping into your “Power of Profitability!” – Teleseminar Intensive – Starting March 29

Have confidence!  Take charge of your accounting for wise decision-making! If you want to succeed in business today, you need to be able to read and understand your financial reports.  You need to know how much money you earn and by which employees, which jobs and which clients.  You need to speak the language of business!

Even if you delegate this responsibility and have a bookkeeper take care of this part of your business, you will want to know how a system should work properly, how the numbers flow to your reports, how to read reports and how to use them to make your important decisions.  Many business owners abdicate this task completely and find themselves with a sense of anxiety, discomfort and lack of confidence.

Details: http://www.marie-gibson.com/special-events/power-of-profitability/

Business owners no longer need to avoid accounting.  Here’s a magnificent tool to make financial reporting an enjoyable adventure.  Whether you have an assistant to handle accounting functions or you do it yourself, SMART BOOKS = SMART BUSINESS is the handbook you need to understand your business’ financial picture.

Marie Gibson, award-winning business Instructor, University Lecturer in Managerial Accounting, Advanced QuickBooks Pro Advisor, and business owner has worked with hundreds of businesses.  Gibson is a member of Intuit’s National Trainer and Writer Network and is a NxLevel Instructor for the Nevada Small Business Development Center.

For Details:  www.marie-gibson.com

How to make your CPA happy and stop your end-of-year panic

Request your copy of the audio recording where you’ll hear me share some of the best tips for your end-of-the-year records.  You’ll save money with these few, simple suggestions and create a better working relationship with your CPA. Details: http://www.marie-gibson.com/solutions-and-products/happy-cpa/

ShoeBox 101 – Basic Bookkeeping for New Business Owners

This special teleseminar, hosted by Meggin McIntosh and led by Marie Gibson, is for those smart people who are not necessarily knowledgeable about what to do with their "books."  Maybe you’re fine with your personal finances (or maybe not), but you’re not so great at tracking what’s coming in and what’s going out…and then being ready for preparing your taxes each year.  Details: http://www.meggin.com/ShoeBox101.php

Over the next few months, we’ll be implementing a new automated client and contact list system.

If you wish to continue receiving my newsletters and emails, please “Opt-in by visiting my website at www.Marie-Gibson.com, and typing your name and email address into the “Free Special Report” box in the upper right hand corner of the website.  As a thank-you for signing up, you’ll love receiving the special report that gives you 12 Key Steps to Run Your Business Profitably!

Please remember that if you don’t Opt-in, you won’t be able to receive future newsletters.  You may, of course, register again at any time, although the previous newsletters won’t be available.

If you wish to be removed from my contact list now or at any time in the future, I’ll be sorry to see you go, but you may unsubscribe at any time simply by replying to this – or any future email – with the word Unsubscribe in the subject line.

I’m excited to be growing my business this year, and my warmest appreciation for your patience as we make some major changes to our operations.

Please include this complete blurb with it: Marie Gibson is devoted to helping business owners make wise business decisions by taking charge of their accounting and running their business profitably! Register for her free weekly guide or her “12 Key Steps to Run Your Business Profitably” at www.marie-gibson.com . The information presented in this article is for informational purposes only and should not take the place of professional financial consultation.

Marie Gibson Management & Consulting, LLC

P.O. Box 17323

Reno, NV  89511