NALH Bookkeeping » QuickBooks

Movin’ On Up – Quickbooks 2010 Upgrade Now Available

NALH Bookkeeping Services — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:31:01 +0000

The newest version of Intuit’s QuickBooks accounting software program, QuickBooks 2010, is now available and there are numerous reasons to upgrade your version. The most significant update to the program in several years, 2010 offers a host of new and improved features, including:

Company Snapshot Screen
Easier sorting of customers and vendor lists
Improved multi-currency functionality & much more!

Want more information about upgrading? Contact our office or call us at 604-412-3885 to learn more.

This article is an excerpt from the NALH e-Newsletter. Click here to read the current issue.

Missed an issue? You can also read all previous issues in our newsletter archive. Want to join our subscribers list? Visit our site to subscribe to our newsletter.

Contact Our Help Desk for Assistance Getting Your Business HST-Compliant

NALH Bookkeeping Services — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:14:59 +0000

HST is a topic we’ve covered a number of times over the past several months, due in large part to the anxiety that seems to be associated with its implementation. HST has a lot of business owners scratching their heads. What will it mean for a particular industry? What if you serve clients in other provinces? And the list goes on and on.

Do you need help understanding how HST applies to your specific business? Do you need tax codes adjusted in your accounting software to facilitate the charging of HST? Do you need your invoice templates customized to show the new HST charge?

In order to ensure that your QuickBooks data file is set up to properly charge and track HST, contact us for help making the necessary changes to your file.

This article is an excerpt from the NALH e-Newsletter. Click here to read the current issue.

Missed an issue? You can also read all previous issues in our newsletter archive. Want to join our subscribers list? Visit our site to subscribe to our newsletter.

Spiff Up Those Invoices!

NALH Bookkeeping Services — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:37:44 +0000

Did you know that NALH can design a custom QuickBooks invoice template for your company?

Ask us about our invoice design service and make sure that your invoices are consistent with your company’s corporate identity.

This article is an excerpt from the NALH e-Newsletter. Click here to read the current issue.

Missed an issue? You can also read all previous issues in our newsletter archive. Want to join our subscribers list? Visit our site to subscribe to our newsletter.

HST Is Here

NALH Bookkeeping Services — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:51:20 +0000

And, without further ado, we bring you the newly-implemented HST in BC and Ontario. Many a business owner will no doubt find themselves running into a few hiccups along the way when transitioning into the new tax’s sometimes-confusing rules, particularly with regards to place of supply when doing business with customers in other provinces.

Have questions about what changes you need to implement to be HST-compliant?

We’re Here to Help
Our job is to help set your business up for success. Need assistance getting your business HST ready? Contact our office or give us a call at 604-412-3885 to discuss the specifics of your business put a plan of action in place.

This article is an excerpt from the NALH e-Newsletter. Click here to read the current issue.

Missed an issue? You can also read all previous issues in our newsletter archive. Want to join our subscribers list? Visit our site to subscribe to our newsletter.

Free HST Webinars by Intuit

NALH Bookkeeping Services — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:16:53 +0000

Quickbooks software maker, Intuit, is offering free webinars on HST for businesses in Ontario and British Columbia.

Ontario HST Webinar
June 16, 2010 at 11:30am (local time)
Hosted by Richard Krummenacher, CA, CPA, CFP, Certified ProAdvisor

BC HST Webinar
June 24, 2010 at 11:30am (local time)
Hosted by Eileen Reppenhagen, CGA, Certified ProAdvisor

Visit the Intuit Canada web site to register for the free HST webinars.

12 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Bookkeeper

NALH Bookkeeping Services — Thu, 06 May 2010 17:47:00 +0000

Without sounding like alarmists, the fact is that hiring the wrong bookkeeper can destroy your business. Before choosing a company with whom to work, it is imperative to clearly define what you expect from your bookkeeper.

Choosing a company to assist you in maintaining your financial records is an important decision. We at NALH we want you to be confident in your choice and encourage our clients to ask questions. Below, we have compiled a list of questions – and our answers – that are important to ask – and have answered clearly – before you select a company to handle your accounting and bookkeeping needs.

WHAT TO ASK ABOUT THE COMPANY

1. How long has the company been in business and how many clients does it serve?
NALH has been in business for over 27 years and has an active client roster of nearly 200 companies.

2. What is the size of the firm’s average client?
Asking this questions will help determine what size business the bookkeeper is most experienced in dealing with.

Over the years, NALH has had the opportunity to work with companies of all shapes and sizes – from 2 employees to 200. Each business is unique and our systems are tailored to each company’s specific requirements.

3. Does the company specialize in working with specific types of businesses or industries?
NALH has had the opportunity to work with companies in a diverse range of industries and specialties – from language schools, video and film production, biotech, transport and a host of others.

4. Is the company a full-time business for the vendor or a side job?
Depending on your needs, you’ll be either be comfortable with someone who is only available part time or you’ll need someone who is committed to providing bookkeeping services full-time.

NALH is strictly a bookkeeping organization and has earned a reputation for using the right combination of people skills and technology to provide professional bookkeeping services, support and training.

5. Can the company provide contact information for existing clients with whom they work?
NALH is happy to provide any prospective client with contact information for current customers who will be more than happy to provide you with feedback on their experience in working with us. In contacting referrals from bookkeepers, you may want to ask:

- How long have you been working with your bookkeeper service?
- Does the company complete the work accurately and on time?
- What value-added services do they provide?
- If unavailable when you call, do they get back to you in a timely manner?
- Are you able to reach them 90% of the time?

6. Does the company offer the opportunity to visit their office to tour the facility and meet the staff?
NALH is happy to have prospective clients visit our office and meet our staff. All of our team members are friendly and approachable and you will have the chance to observe how we handle each individual client effectively. Our internal procedures provide a consistent system on how we handle each client individually effectively. We have specific templates customized to be able to consistently move paper and files efficiently and effectively. Look for this when you visit your potential bookkeeping service. Please feel free to contact us to schedule a visit to our office.

7. Is the company a single person operation or do they employ support staff?
At NALH, we have an infrastructure of numerous accounting technicians so that you are not left in chaos if your technician gets sick, takes holidays, or finds a better opportunity. With a stable background of 27+ years in business, you can rest assured that we will always be available.

WHAT TO ASK ABOUT PROCEDURE & WORKFLOW

8. What is your procedure for checking work before it goes out?
It is important to find out if the bookkeeper has any procedures for checking their work or follows any type procedures, to be on a consistent basis. At NALH, our procedures are applied consistently, whether the task be handling petty cash or GST filing.

9. How is filing handled? What does the company present to you upon completion?
If you prefer not to spend time doing your own accounting software data entry, you may also prefer to leave filing to your bookkeeper as well. You may simply want to have all your information prepared and returned to you in a manner that allows for easy storage and quick accessibility when needed. NALH can remind you when your instalments are due, calculate the payments and remit your cheques.

10. How much does the company charge? What is included? Are there extra charges for filing, folders, pick-up and delivery?
Before engaging a company, it’s crucial to find out how their fees are calculated. Will the bookkeeper charge you for every phone discussion? To avoid friction later, it is essential to discuss the bookkeeper’s fee structure. If the bookkeeper uses a time-based system, discuss the hourly rate of the bookkeeper and staff.

NALH offers competitive rates for both on-site and off-site services. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our services and fee structure. Please feel free to contact us at: info@nalh.ca or 604-412-3885.

WHAT TO ASK ABOUT TECHNOLOGY & SECURITY

11. What kind of software is used and how is my data stored?
A good bookkeeper should use the right software to keep and process your financial data – ie: Windows or Web-based instead of DOS; industry-standard legal accounting software instead of Excel spreadsheets.

NALH provides a full range of bookkeeping services using QuickBooks, SimplyAccounting, MYOB and other accounting software, helping clients assess expenditures and prepare electronic books for quarterly and year-end accounting requirements.

NALH has worked with Fully Managed, based in Vancouver, BC, to establish a solid network structure to house and secure all of our client data. Fully Managed implemented a network server that is maintained on a regular basis. To ensure NALH always has the most current data secured, our server is backed up daily.

12. What security and privacy measures are utilized to preserve the confidentiality of financial information?
Maintaining the privacy and security of sensitive financial information is important to every business. NALH’s team members treat all client information with respect and care and consider all information provided to us by our clients as confidential.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS GROWTH FOR YOUR BUSINESS
NALH would be pleased to answer any questions you may have about how our services might benefit you and address your company’s specific needs. Please visit our web site at: www.nalh.ca or contact our office at 604-412-3885 or info@nalh.ca. We look forward to working with you soon.

Bookkeeping Tip: Match Receipts to Statement Items

NALH Bookkeeping Services — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:55:07 +0000

Once again, our tip will focus on small changes you can make to your paperwork prep routine. Putting your receipts and statements into good order before bringing them in helps make the most efficient use of your bookkeeper’s time which will, in turn, save your business money!

When you receive your monthly credit card and bank statements, write a number next to each item on the statement. Then, find the corresponding receipt for each transaction and write the same number on the receipt that goes with that item on the statement. Sort receipts in number order and attach all receipts to the relevant statement. This will save your bookkeeper a significant amount of time sorting receipts and matching them to the correct statement and will reduce your bill as a result.

We hope you enjoy our weekly bookkeeping tips! Have a suggestion for a tip we can share with our readers? Contact us to submit your time-saving techniques for keeping your paperwork in order!

Bookkeeping Tip: Label Receipts at Point of Purchase

NALH Bookkeeping Services — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:53:29 +0000

Here’s a quick tip that will save you significant time when you sit down to sort receipts and get your paperwork ready to drop off at your bookkeeper’s office. When you make a purchase at a store, restaurant or other vendor, when the clerk hands you your receipt, quickly write on the receipt which account was used to pay. Was it your business chequing? Company credit card? Personal debit card? Cash? Use labels or abbreviations that will make sense not only to you, but to your bookkeeper.

Labeling your receipts as you go along will save you a lot of time you’d otherwise spend scrutinizing the fine print on your receipts to check account numbers and figure out if the purchase was made with debit, credit or cash.

We hope you enjoy our weekly bookkeeping tips! Have a suggestion for a tip we can share with our readers? Contact us to submit your time-saving techniques for keeping your paperwork in order!

Manage Your Business Finances with QuickBooks

NALH Bookkeeping Services — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:42:58 +0000

Unless you’re a trained accountant or bookkeeper, there’s a good chance that you find managing the financial aspects of your business to be among the most challenging. If you own and operate a small business, investing in QuickBooks is one of the best things you can do. Fortunately, with this user friendly software application, you don’t have to be a Certified Public Accountant to handle the day to day bookkeeping duties associated with running a business.

Read the full article on the American Banking News web site.

If you’re interested in QuickBooks training for your business, contact us for more information on our QuickBooks training services.