Apr 28, 2017
Because we do it every day, Monday through Friday and some
holidays. This makes it over 300 days per year. With multiple
clients, we are not new; it’s not new.
The same goes in your field of Construction. You do many of the
same things over and over again. The end result is so clean and
tidy when the customer is watching you it looks like it was
effortlessly done. That’s so simple “Why Couldn’t I Do That.” When
I tried, it seems to be “A Lot Harder.”
Everyone has a skill set. Construction Bookkeeping and Construction
Accounting is what we do. I confess – we think we find it easier
having come from a Construction Background (for Randal growing up
in a construction family and for us personally having started,
owned, operated several Construction Companies).
We can speak with conviction about the basics and the more complex issues as you grow your Construction Company, Handyman Company, Trade Contractor or any one of the dozens of Construction Company types we serve.
Brand New Construction Company Handyman Company
Cabinet Installer HVAC Contractor
Carpentry Contractor Insulation Contractor
Carpet And Tile Contractor Interior Designer
Commercial Tenant Improvement Contractor Land Development Company
Concrete Contractor Landscape Contractor
Construction Company Masonry Contractor
Construction Manager Mold Remediation Company
Contracting Company Moss Removal Company
Contractor Painting Contractor
Custom Deck Builder Plumbing Contractor
Custom Home Builder Pressure Washing Company
Demolition Contractor Remodel Construction Company
Drywall Contractor Renovation Contractor
Electrical Contractor Restoration Contractor
Emerging Contractor Roofing Contractor
Excavation Contractor Spec Home Builder
Finish Millwork Contractor Specialty Contractor
Flipper House Contractor Subcontractor
Flooring Contractor Trade Contractor
Framing Contractor Underground Contractor
General Contractor Utility Contractor
Glass Installation Contractor Construction Employees
Gutter Installation Company Construction Support Specialist
QuickBooks Set Up Templates
Solopreneur
QuickBooks Chart Of Accounts
Free Stuff
QuickBooks Item Lists Templates
Consulting
You must decide for yourself the benefit and value of having W2 employees. Other options include using a Staffing Service, subcontractors, becoming a consultant or Project Manager, 1099 Contractors or keeping the company smaller where no outside employees are needed.
All of us need employees. The question is “Are They, Ours? Yes, we have direct employees. I can tell you we do not have as many direct employees as when we were Construction Contractors.
Do we ever intend to have that many direct employees again? No
Never, not ever in this lifetime.
When we are reviewing software and services; we look for the larger
companies who HAVE employees. We want to have access to their
Customer Support and Tech Support (all are indirect employees).
Outsourcing means we have access to highly qualified staff without all the headache and expense of in-house employees. This is what it takes to keep everything running smoothly (Plus good equipment).
Fast Computers, Multiple Monitors, each office with their own printer, Hi-Speed Internet, Hi-Speed Scanners, good office environment with large “L” shaped desks, plus additional tables as work areas, comfortable office chairs, and finally working HVAC system.
Hats off to
Construction Companies who have 20, 30, 50 or more
direct employees:
· As you grow, there are additional regulations
that come with more and more employees.
· Recommend using a 3rd Party Payroll Service
with an HR Component.
· Suggest paying Bi-Weekly unless mandated to pay
weekly.
· Use Electronic Timecard. Limit Employee
Advances.
· Give Perks and Benefits that employees will
appreciate.
· Pay Well – There is a balance between Under
Paying and Over Paying your employees.
· Reward the productive employees.
· Have written Coaching Reports for those who
need a little reminder.
· Don’t be afraid to “Let Someone Go” if it is no
longer a “Good Fit.”
· Some employees want to leave and just don’t
know how to Quit.
· They do not want to leave and have “Hard
Feelings, ” but they want to move on.
Many challenges “Big or
Small” are exactly the same for all companies:
· Keeping Track of Paperwork
· Developing Processes
· Creating Estimates
· Getting Signed Change Orders
· Creating Customer Invoices in a Timely
Manner
· Presenting The Invoice To The Customer
· Asking For Money
· Paying their Bills
· Focusing On Tomorrow
· Dealing With Today
· Learning From Yesterday
How can you do all of
those things all at the same time?
It is simple; but not easy. It takes practice
Finding a “Good Bookkeeper” who understands construction and your
issues is a First Start.
Note – I did not say find a bookkeeper who will come to your house,
pick up your mail, open it.
Decide what is important. Deposit the checks, Write the checks, Pay
the bills. That is a role for you, your spouse or a partner – not
an outsider. Do not give a bookkeeper TOO MUCH AUTHORITY or you
could wake up one day and be a victim of Bookkeeper
Embezzlement!
I have known bookkeepers who have “Presented themselves as part of
Management” (as a Partner) which upon further questions to the
actual owner I learned that was not true. (Just The Bookkeeper)
Same has been true for Project Managers, Estimators, and other
Field Employees who go beyond their authority. It is easy to spend
“Other People’s Money” it is so much easier than spending our
own.
The local paper recently had an article about a “Bad Bookkeeper”
who had been caught embezzling the Contractor’s funds for several
years. The hardship to the Contractor and the loss of money is
enormous. The Bad Bookkeeper was convicted, but even if restitution
is 100%, it will take years and years to be pay off.
In the meantime, the Contractor has a Problem – A Huge Problem.
That money is GONE! Fast Easy Accounting presents and provides a
“We Solution” Our focus is mostly “After The Fact” Accounting. We
never want any Government Agency to say we “Should Have Paid
Something.”
We also never want for our Clients to worry that we spent their
money on Anything. The only funds we touch is our own fees – we
auto receive Weekly (on Mondays) or Monthly (1st Day of the month)
depending on the services provided.
All services are Month-To-Month; ending on last day of the
month.
We Enter All Of Your Paperwork Into QuickBooks Desktop Version In
The Cloud
Accessible 24/7 From Your Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Tablet, Smart
Phone
Any Web-Enabled Device Including iPads, iPhones, Apple, MacBook
We use a Commercial Host approved by Intuit. Access it like
going to the Bank – log into your account, view, print reports,
move money between accounts and chose if you want to use “online
bill pay” feature. We embrace Cloud Services (especially those with
a Master Dashboard).
State Governments are also
embracing Cloud Access for many Government
Services. All the State of Washington agencies work together; if a
contractor is audited The Agency involved is asking for documents
beyond what they need to help the other agencies.
What does this mean?
· Good Recordkeeping
· Customer Invoices
· Customer Payments
· Timecards
· Employee Paystubs
· Bank Statements
· General Receipts
· One which includes a Cloud based Document
Management System where you send your documents
· You can forward emails, scan, snap a picture,
scan and send PDFs, whatever is easy for you.
· If you use a “Main Stream” bank with enhanced
images, you can link the bank feeds to our paperless server and get
your contractors bookkeeping service running almost 100%
autopilot!
What Does "Full-Service Contractor Bookkeeping” Mean To You?
For many contractors, it means Hire someone – usually anyone at all
who says Yes – I will do everything.
Giving that BRAND NEW Person all the user names, passwords,
authorization to sign checks and run back out to the field as fast
as possible and “Forget About It – Everything Is Handled”
For many Construction Contractors That Answer Is Wrong | Very Bad |
Leads To Painful Results!
I’m Sorry for those who were hoping – This is not “How We Work.”
In our system – It is a “We Process” We want YOU to “Help Us Help
You.”
A Major Part of this process is that “You Control The Money.”
· Receiving The Money
· Paying the Bills
· Hiring
· Promoting
· Coaching
· Firing Employees.
You are an Owner, not a Manager – Making Decisions Is A Daily
Activity
Though there is a lot of managing the day-to-day activities of
owning and operating a business.
Our part is getting every scrap of paper (income or expense) in an
accounting system.
We use QuickBooks Desktop so that you have the reports you need to
properly make decisions.
Your Tax Accountant understands the QuickBooks layout and maps
their Tax Software to it.
I am reminded of a book about decision making I read to our son as
a small child.
David Decides About Behaviors: A Story for Children, a Guide for
Parents by Susan Heitler
The same principle applies to everyone. Each one of us is David.
We make decisions every day about everything. No decision is
a decision.
We are here to help – If you will let us!
AND if you will do Your Part it can be a seamless activity without
undue stress on either side.
With good accounting, you are able to focus on getting your work
done.
You do not have to explain to use How To Do The Bookkeeping – We
Know What To Do!
I recommend being an S-Corp over an LLC or Sole Prop. (call me, and
we can discuss why)
For The Do-It-Yourself Contractor Fast Easy Accounting Store
Have The Perfect Solutions To Fit Your QuickBooks Setup Needs
The choice is yours – Either way we are looking to Help You with
your Accounting Needs.
Enjoy your
day.
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/ 206-361-3950 or
sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com
I trust this podcast helps you understand that outsourcing your contractor's bookkeeping services to us is about more than just “doing the bookkeeping”; it is about taking a holistic approach to your entire construction company and helping support you as a contractor and as a person.
We understand the good, bad and the ugly about owning and operating construction companies because we have had several of them and we sincerely care about you and your construction company!
That is all I have for now, and if you have listened to this far please do me the honor of commenting and rating podcast www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast Tell me what you liked, did not like, tell it as you see it because your feedback is crucial and I thank you in advance.
I trust this will be of value to you and your feedback is always welcome at www.FastEasyAccounting.com/podcast
One more example of how Fast Easy Accounting is helping construction company owners across the USA including Alaska and Hawaii put more money in the bank to operate and grow your construction company. Construction accounting is not rocket science; it is a lot harder than that, and a lot more valuable to construction contractors like you so stop missing out and call Sharie 206-361-3950 or email sharie@fasteasyaccounting.com
Thinking About Outsourcing Your Contractors Bookkeeping Services?
Click On The Link Below:
This guide will help you learn what to look for in outsourced construction accounting.
Need Help Now?
Call Sharie 206-361-3950
Thank you very much, and I hope you understand we do care about you and all contractors regardless of whether or not you ever hire our services.
Bye for now until our next episode here on the Contractors Success MAP Podcast.
Warm Regards,
Randal DeHart | The Contractors Accountant
#1 EZ Step Interview inside QuickBooks Setup
#2 Asked Their Tax Accountant To Setup QuickBooks
#3 They Attended A How To Setup QuickBooks Class Or Seminar
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