Please Join Me at the Ultimate Accounting vCon — it will be a GREAT conference you won’t want to Miss!
It is exciting to see so many CPAs, accountants, bookkeepers, QuickBooks ProAdvisors, consultants and others who have already registered to attend the Ultimate Accounting vCon next week (May 16 and 17). Sandi Smith Leyva and I (Michelle Long) have been finalizing the presentations and materials and all I can say is WOW! We have soooooo much great information, resources and ideas to share with you that will help you grow your business and serve your clients better that it is amazing! It’s not too late to register to join us and you will be glad you did! All the sessions are recorded so you can listen to them later as needed. Hundreds of your peers have already registered — don’t get left behind! Read more
6 Steps to Easier Profits and Better Service in Your Accounting or Consulting Practice
Having your own business is hard work, but there is a smart way to serve clients well and make the income you want without putting in hundreds of hours per week. The skills and tools you need to move from one level of income in your practice are different from the ones it took to get where you are. Stop relying on peers who are at or behind your level of income and start relying on mentors like Michelle and Sandi who have already been where you want to go and are fully dedicated to serving the accounting profession. Read more
Do you know the secrets to easier profits in your accounting practice?
It’s super-easy to grow your business as big as you want and without struggle. All you need to know is the right set of skills. Unfortunately, they’re not accounting skills – they are practice management skills. And that’s one secret to growing a business that most entrepreneurs never learn.
There is a second secret: that it’s not that hard to learn these practice management skills. The problem is most people don’t know that that’s what will help them leapfrog their revenue and serve their clients better. Read more
Need help with estimating, pricing, client communications, becoming a cloud CFO, and more?
Are you looking for fresh ideas to grow your accounting business, practical sessions to update your skills, or fun ways to connect with peers, all on a shoestring budget (and that doesn’t take you too far from home)? If you answered yes, then we’d love to introduce you to the Second Annual Ultimate Accounting vCon.
If you answered yes, then we’d love to introduce you to the Second Annual Ultimate Accounting vCon, a 2-day virtual conference designed to help you: Read more
The Deadline is Friday, February 22, 2013
Just a quick note to let you know that Sandi Smith Leyva’s Accountant’s Accelerator program is closing to new members on Friday, February 22, 2013.
As an affiliate for Sandi, I personally know dozens of her clients and the great results they have had from the program. If you are looking for solid, proven ways to build your practice, serve clients better, and work smarter, then this program delivers. Here is just a little taste of what you get:
Women CPAs Host Virtual Accounting Conference
The Second Annual Ultimate Accounting vCon will be held on May 16-17, 2013 in the comfort of participants’ own offices. The all-virtual, cloud-based Ultimate Accounting vCon (which is short for virtual conference) is the brainchild of Michelle Long and Sandi Smith Leyva, two popular accounting industry speakers.
Michelle Long, CPA and owner of Long for Success, runs the 21,500-plus member LinkedIn group called Successful QuickBooks Consultants, is a popular QuickBooks speaker and trainer, and is author of two books, including “Successful QuickBooks Consulting.” Read more
The Ins and Outs of Value Pricing for Bookkeepers, Accountants, CPAs, Tax Pros and more
Join Michelle Long (Owner of Long for Success) and Ian Vacin (VP of Marketing & Product at Xero) for a 1 hour webinar on Value Pricing.
You’ll learn:
- What is value pricing?
- How to bundle your services
- Tips on how to set price
- How to take the first steps to increase your practice’s profitability.
- Plus we’ll give a wealth of tips and tricks from folks we interviewed while creating the content (like Ron Baker, Jody Padar, Sandi Smith Levya and others). Read more
Are You Tired of the Same Old, Work-Your-Tail-Off Tax Season Routine?
The difference between accounting practice owners that make a meager living and those that are far more comfortable financially can often come down to just one or two skills that are easily learned.
Most accounting professionals build their technical skills – far more than they need to – but they ignore the more important set of practice management and development skills that will help them take their practices to the next level. They keep reaching for technical credentials because that’s the more comfortable road.
But it’s also the less profitable road. Read more
Focus on Referrals
It’s that time of year again – tax season. Only accounting professionals truly understand the grueling busy season, which usually means little time for sleep, meals, or family and friends. Many will have their nose to the grindstone with their sole focus on getting the work completed. Who has time for networking or marketing during busy season? If that is how you think, then you may be missing a great opportunity for referrals! Read more
Transform Client Relationships from Transactional to Consultative
Accountants, CPAs, Bookeeepers and others who want to start or grow their accounting practice will find this free webinar contains valuable and beneficial information.
Join Ian Vacin (Vice President of Marketing & Product at Xero), Michelle Long (CPA, MBA – Owner of Long for Success) and Steve Chaney (CPA – Owner of Chaney & Associates) as they share proven strategies and experiences on how accounting professionals can leverage modern cloud solutions to transform their relationships with clients from 
transactional, hourly relationships to consultative ones that place the accounting professional back as the Trusted Advisor. Specifically, learn the process (with easy to follow steps) to move your once a year clients (like write-up / tax clients) to be monthly paying consultative relationships. Gain perspective on the process, the conversations,and the outcomes of these new relationships and revenue streams. Read more
Want to start, grow, or accelerate your accounting or QuickBooks practice in 2013?
If you are looking to start, grow, or accelerate your QuickBooks accounting practice in 2013, I’m excited to let you know about a program that’s generating quite a buzz. It’s especially for QuickBooks ProAdvisors, ISPs, EAs, CPAs, and bookkeepers who want to take their accounting, IT, or QuickBooks consulting practice to the next level.
Here are some excerpts from 2011 and 2012 members: Read more
Make more, work less, serve clients better in your accounting practice
If you’re looking to grow your practice, increase your marketing skills, & find done-for-you, almost-ready-to-go marketing materials, I’ve discovered a practice growth program that I want to share with you. Accountant’$ Accelerator is a program for QuickBooks ProAdvisors, IRPs, EAs, CPAs, and bookkeepers who want to take their accounting, IT, or QuickBooks consulting practice to the next level.
Here are some excerpts from 2011-2012 members: 
- “I am getting so much out of the exposure to new ideas and new developments!” – Tracy
- “Three or four more leads per week.” Jemel
- “It gave me motivation and clarity to what I need to do to generate more income.” —K.K.
- “You put together great programs!” –Diane
- “The Revenue Clarity program was a big eye opener.” — Cherri
- “I love your products and am enjoying my training so much. … you are an inspiration to women and to me.” – Brigid
- “I appreciate how much I have learned from you.” — Cindy
- “Immediately useful. She understands accountants, our weaknesses and turns those into strengths through her program. –Jeff
In 2012, Sandi Smith Leyva, founder of Accountant’s Accelerator, had over 200 members from roughly 40 states and 3 countries. The all-new 2013 program is a full year program from November 1, 2012 through October 31, 2013.
Sandi will be delivering around 14 hours of quality marketing, technology, and practice development training, accountability, and group coaching designed to take your practice to the next level. Plus you’ll get more done-for-you items than ever before: marketing plans in-a-box, almost ready-to-go marketing materials and client leave-behinds.
As an affiliate for Sandi, I’m so excited to announce that the Accountant’$ Accelerator 2013 is open to new member registrations right now! And Sandi is offering her program at $100 off until midnight, October 31, 2012. You can see the offer right here:
Don’t miss this chance to discover a refreshingly new solution to learn how to fill your accounting or consulting practice and grow your revenues.
To your success!
Best Marketing Ideas from Exhibitors at The Sleeter Conference
I just returned from The Sleeter Group’s Accounting Solutions Conference in Anaheim, California (i.e. right by Disneyland). As usual, there were many exhibitors giving away promotional items. When my kids were little, they liked it when I would bring home ‘goody bags’ for them but that doesn’t work now that they are older. Plus, I have a drawer full of pens, sticky notes or note pads. I don’t need squishy balls or T-shirts. I never seem to win the good prizes like an iPad, Kindle or gift cards; however, I did win bunny slippers from InsynQ! Thus, I like to look for new, unique marketing ideas from the exhibitors. Here’s a couple of the best marketing ideas I noticed from The Sleeter Conference this year: Read more
Accounting Professionals — Sneak Preview into Accountant’s Accelerator 2013
If you want to grow your accounting practice, then I want to share this information with you. You may have heard about Sandi Smith Leyva’s practice growth program, Accountant’s Accelerator. It’s just about to get started for 2013, and if you looking to work less, make more, and serve clients better, then I’d like to invite you to a complimentary webinar this Thursday, “A Sneak Preview into Accountant’s Accelerator 2013.” Read more
Accounting vCon – Accelerate Your Success – Save over 50% if Register by Aug.31
Sandi Smith Leyva and I are thrilled that many of you have already registered for our First Annual Accounting vCon. We also hope you enjoyed our complimentary sneak preview call, “11 Ways to Accelerate Your Success in the Cloud,” and we wanted to be sure to remind you that tomorrow, AUGUST 31, is the deadline for the Early Early Bird price that saves you over 50%.
If you haven’t registered yet, you can right here: http://accountingvcon.com/register/
There were so many great comments and questions from all of you on the webinar. We’re continuing the momentum by opening up our Community Forum this week: You’ll have two full months to connect with peers and exhibitors, download materials, and post your questions on the discussion boards, even before we start the vCon. Read more
First Annual Ultimate Accounting vCon – for Accounting Professionals to Accelerate your Success
Introducing A High-Content Accounting Conference With a Price Tag You Won’t Believe…
Are You Looking for Fresh Ideas to Grow Your Accounting Business, Practical Sessions to Update Your Accounting Software Skills, and Fun Ways to Connect with Peers, All on a Shoestring Budget (and That Doesn’t Take You Far from Home)?
If you answered yes, then I’d love to introduce you to the First Annual Ultimate Accounting vCon, a 2-day virtual conference (November 8-9, 2012) designed to help you: Read more
Do you want to Reach QuickBooks ProAdvisors or Accounting Professionals for your Product, Service or App?
Would you like to reach QuickBooks ProAdvisors, bookkeepers, CPAs and accounting professionals? Do you wish they knew more about your product, service or app? If so, then I encourage you to consider the sponsorship / advertising opportunities with Michelle L. Long, owner of Long for Success, LLC. Read more
Last Chance for Accountant’s Accelerator 2012 Program – Take Your Business to the Next Level
Many of us in the accounting profession work way too hard when we don’t really have to (I did, serving QuickBooks and bookkeeping clients, for years and years). And one of the biggest reasons is that our marketing skills are weaker than most other professionals. This causes us to:
- Deliver employee-level service while grossly undercharging for it.
- Fail to fire clients we hate working with because we need their revenue.
- Fall short of our revenue goals because we don’t know how to market for new clients.
- And much more Read more
Do you want more revenue but work way too hard already?
Have you relied on referrals for most of your career, but find there simply aren’t enough referrals any more to keep your practice full?
Are you just starting (or starting over) your accounting business and need help to find clients?
Do you swear every tax season that you are not going to work as hard NEXT year?
Do you want to proactively grow your practice so you can reach and help more clients? Read more
Accountants, Want to Learn Some Low-Cost Ways to Get More Clients?
Have you dabbled in social media and are wondering how to make it pay off? Do you want to find a way to use social media for marketing, but get overwhelmed at how much time it takes up? Do you need to attract more clients so you can get to the revenue level you desire?
If you said yes to any of these questions, then I’d like to introduce you to a new webinar series “Monetizing Social Media for Accountants” that’s being put on by Sandi Smith Leyva, CPA, CITP, CGMA, and Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. It’s designed for accountants, bookkeepers and QuickBooks consultants who want to: Read more
Are You Ready to Earn Six Figures This Year and Beyond? (Discount Extended + Free Webinar Series – Monetizing Social Media)
You might remember from an unscientific study in my first book, Successful QuickBooks Consulting, that many QuickBooks ProAdvisors — a full 85% — are stuck at an annual revenue of five figures with no idea of how to get to six figures. As service professionals, if we don’t fill our inventory of hours, that time goes unused and unbilled forever; we can never reclaim that revenue.But that’s only part of the problem. What if we don’t want to work that hard, but still earn more? What happens when we burn out? 
Read more
QuickBooks ProAdvisors, CPAs, Accountants and Bookkeepers — Are You Ready to Finally Earn Six Figures This Year and Beyond?
You might remember from an unscientific study in my first book, Successful QuickBooks Consulting, that many QuickBooks ProAdvisors — a full 85% — are stuck at an annual revenue of five figures with no idea of how to get to six figures. As service professionals, if we don’t fill our inventory of hours, that time goes unused and unbilled forever; we can never reclaim that revenue.But that’s only part of the problem. What if we don’t want to work that hard, but still earn more? What happens when we burn out? Read more
Results of Billing Rates Poll of Accounting Professionals
Frequently accounting professionals will ask questions like: What should I be charging for my services? What is the average billing rate for bookkeepers? Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors? Accountants? Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)? Enrolled Agents (EAs)? Tax Professionals? Should I charge an hourly rate or fixed fees? Unfortunately, the answer is usually — it depends. There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to billing rates for accounting professionals. It depends on your education, experience, expertise, geographic location and more. The good news is that there is information available to help you get an idea of average billing rates to help you determine and set your billing rates and policies.
I put a quick poll on my website asking accounting professionals for their most common billing rates. Here are the results based on almost 1,000 replies:
For more detailed information on average billing rates for accounting professionals, check out these resources:
- Intuit’s Average Billing Rates Survey
- National Society of Accountants Survey of Average Tax Preparation Fees
Remember billing rates should be established based on a number of criteria and considerations. Keep in mind the value of your education, experience, skills and more. Please do not set your billing rates too low. It may be tempting when you are new to the profession or just starting your business or whatever, but it devalues your services and does not help you get quality clients.
Intro to Social Media for Accounting Professionals and Small Business Owners — Free Webinar by Michelle Long
In this webinar, Michelle Long presents an Introduction to Social Media. If you want to learn the basics to get started with social media for your business, then you need to watch this free webinar. Michelle covers the basics of getting started with Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter and demonstrates important things about each. Also learn about tools and tips for managing social media efficiently and effectively including using HootSuite to help monitor and schedule posts and more. Read more
FREE Webinars – Intro to Social Media and Intro to Pivot Tables
Michelle Long and Chuck Vigeant are offering you free webinars in December. Pivot tables provide the most powerful option to analyze business data from a variety of angles and Chuck will help you learn the basics of using pivot tables. Social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and more) is a revolution (watch the video below to see the importance and magnitude) and Michelle will show you the basics to help you get started. Also, please take a few minutes to complete Michelle’s quick survey to provide general information about yourself and your feedback and comments. Read more for details on everything. Read more
Social Media
