Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi everyone, I have recently started my own interior decorating business, and I have been struggling through the financials using Quick Books.  Though the software is great, I would still like the advice of a small business accountant specifically in the Chicago, IL area.

- Does anyone know of a good small business accountant in the Chicagoland area?

- What are some characteristics I should look for in a small business accountant?

- What are typical rates?

Thanks for your feedback everyone.

 

Bill Cherne

Design Inside

http://www.designinsidechicago.com

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Bill
Design Inside
http://www.designinsidechicago.com

Hi,

Sorry, I can`t recommend anyone, but this article might help you prepare to choose an accountant...

Choosing An Accountant

Good luck.


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Read About Double Entry Accounting & The Accounting Equation

I don`t have any recommendations  for your area,  but I was able to find  a great small business accountant through my local chamber of commerce. Perhaps that might be a good resource in your area also.

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Janice - Splash Virtual Assistance

You might want to post an ad on Craigslist for your area (http://chicago.craigslist.org).  It`s free and attracts a ton of visitors.

Rates range from $20 - $50/hour, depending on the complexity of your business, which QuickBooks version you are using and individual experience

That being said, however, I certainly wouldn`t spend more than $30-35/hour for a bookkeeper, especially if they are not a CPA.  CPAs can charge an arm & a leg, so turn to your CPA in the beginning to ask about setting up your books and any tax advantages that may be available.

Good luck!

Hi Bill,

I`m glad you`re starting out your business and are looking for an accountant at the outset. Good for you!

You`ll find questions to ask an potential accountant when you interview him/her before establishing a long-term relationship, in this article. http://www.taxmama.com/Articles/hiringtaxpro.html

Unlike a bookkeeper, expect to pay about $150 and up for a tax professional who understands your business and your industry.

Oh, on the last page of the article, you`ll find links to organizations that tax professionals belong to  http://www.taxmama.com/Articles/hiringtaxpro3.html

Also, look at www.natptax.com

You can find someone locally and, often, by area of specialty.

Best wishes

Eva

 

 

 

Excellent advice, Elli. 

I placed an advertisement on Craigslist 4 weeks ago.  I signed 2 new clients the first week and another one this week.

My new clients have a combined total of 10 companies I`ll be responsible for.

I have my roommate to thank for nudging me in the direction of Craigslist.  He has a handyman business and works ALL the time just from people placing want ads.

It IS free so it never hurts to check it out.

Best wishes in your search, Bill.

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Bill,

Here is another thought:

Why "..struggle through the financials using Quick Books"?

Try a very simple accounting software:

Small Business Acoounting by RealEasyBooks www.RealEasyBooks.com

• You do not need accounting knowledge
• It has only the features you need and has
• Reports you can understand
• 30-day Free Trial
• Only $99 

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Ed Lichtman, RealEasyBooks.com ... accounting software for the busy entrepreneur 925-280-7769

 

Good Morning,

This is an area that I am not good at, so please help., today I finally received the fax that I have been waiting for since Hurricane Wilma. I applied for a S.B.A. loan. Today I was faxed "Business Projection Form". I am slighty overwhelmed. Since I work at home and my office is part of my living room, when Hurricane Wilma hit. My home suffered a great deal of damages. I believe this is a report that I have to send S.B.A. or can I pay someone to assist me? It is four pages of questions. I know that I am being approved they are trying to figure out how much. Please, I don`t want to blow this oppurtunity.

Yours Truly,                                                                                 Rose M. Palinkas        & ;nbs p;         & ;nbs p;         & ;nbs p;         & ;nbs p;         & ;nbs p;         & ;nbs p;     http://secondhandroseboutique.com

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Yours Truly, Rose M. Palinkas, secondhandroseboutique.com

Rose,

The following template should help:

With RealEasyBooks 4 Year Profit & Loss and Cash Flow Template (Excel format) you enter only a few assumptions about your business and get a complete 4-year (1st year by month) forecast of Profit & Loss and Cash Flow.

http://www.realeasybooks.com/small-business-accounting-softw are-cashflow.htm

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Ed Lichtman, RealEasyBooks.com ... accounting software for the busy entrepreneur 925-280-7769

Thanks for all of the great replies everyone.  I am in talks with an accountant in my area, lets hope things turn out for the best, and I find an accountant that is willing to help me deal with the millions of dollars I plan on making in a few years. 

 

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Bill
Design Inside
http://www.designinsidechicago.com