Good communication skills are part of any process and by definition it entails more than just talking. Today, it’s the phone, emails, faxes and it includes the flow of soft documents.
Of course, talking is a major part of it. Most of us would be lost without our cell phones. With internet access the cell phone and with a handful of applications the newer smart phones replace the need for a traditional land line, fax machine, laptop, desktop computer or camera.
Many people already go to their bank, move money, pay bills, pay for services. Banks have added the technology where you can stop going to the bank altogether, with the bank’s app., you can snap a picture of the check and deposit into your account from your customers location.
It’s a mobile environment and for construction contractors accessing their QuickBooks in the cloud is just an extension of technology that is already being used. Seems like a new concept when a person can go to the office supply store, purchase a copy of QuickBooks that traditionally would be installed on your desktop, have your construction accountant (Fast Easy Accounting) have it loaded on a remote server approved by Intuit and be able to access the file with the ease of going online to your bank.
The principle applies to Outsourced Accounting. Clients want the reports and to know that all their paperwork has been handled. They do not find it necessary to handle every piece of paper. The Five Key Reports will answer the many questions a construction contractor will have about their business. Fast Easy Accounting can customize additional reports as needed. http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/key-performance-indicators-kpi-reports/
Our clients call asking all the “What About” questions you can think of (from job deposits, accounts payable, etc) the questions and issues are easy to solve with the proper tools are available. Fast Easy Accounting is that extra piece of “thinking” management support for our construction contractor clients.
By using the Five Key Reports along with my Cash Management processes clients are able to keep on top of the operations side of their business. http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/free-contractor-cash-flow-diagram/ Several of our clients have embraced the “Outsourced Accounting” model. They review reports, and make decisions all without entering any data into their QuickBooks file. Here’s How!
Managing Paperwork: Clients come to our office and multi-task on their paperwork. They work on their Estimates, Customer Invoices, sorts their mail for new bills, receipts for Fast Easy Accounting to enter into QuickBooks. Client is working on the parts of the business that only they can do. At the same time Fast Easy Accounting staff prints up the Five Key Reports.
Managing Accounts Payable: Client reviews, marks all the bills they would like to have paid, returns the report and computer checks back to staff to print checks.
Client reviews printed checks, signs and staff will stuff envelopes and mail. Client continues working in his alternate office making phone calls, etc until ready to move to his next task.
Client is in control. Leaves any new bills and receipts that need to be entered into QuickBooks and show up on the next Accounts Payable report. This process is repeated as often as a client wants to come in. Our office becomes part of a regular loop of business activities usually before or after going to the bank.
A quick why it’s an important process….Construction Contractors always want to keep good subcontractors happy. Occasionally, what happens is an accounts payable check has been cut in the office and mailed; not knowing this the subcontractor asks for a check and receives a handwritten one in the field. It is much easier to find any duplicate payments when all vendor bills has been entered into QuickBooks as bills and paid from the accounts payable report.
For our clients who want to use hand written checks or who are out of the local area slight adjustments are made to the process. We recommend all clients have access. Only if a remote client wants to print computer checks from within the QuickBooks file – then having online access to QuickBooks File is required. Otherwise reports can be generated on a regular basis.
Our niche is smaller construction contractors like you and now the only question is how can we be of assistance to you? What would you like your QuickBooks to do that it isn't doing now? Is it the file or the person doing it? There’s “No Cost” for us to take a “Quick Peek” at your existing QuickBooks file. Register for your FREE client portal access: http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/log-in/
We can set up a new QuickBooks file / Clean-Up existing file / customize invoices / payroll / financial reports. We help “A Little or A Lot” depending on your needs. We provide ongoing services as needed. Your stuff doesn’t have to be perfect! And we can solve that “To Do” pile.
For Further Assistance: We begin with us chatting about your issues and then meet in person (when local) to discuss how we can be of assistance. Please call me when you get a chance for a quick chat. I’m looking forward to your call. Ask for Sharie - I can be reached at 206-361-3950
About The Author:
Sharie DeHart, QPA is the co-founder of Business Consulting And Accounting in Lynnwood Washington. She is the leading expert in managing outsourced construction bookkeeping and accounting services companies and cash management accounting for small construction companies across the USA. She encourages Contractors and Construction Company Owners to stay current on their tax obligations and offers insights on how to manage the remaining cash flow to operate and grow their construction company sales and profits so they can put more money in the bank. http://www.fasteasyaccounting.com/sharie-dehart/