Small and medium-sized companies that are not in a position to hire a full-time Controller or CFO are often the companies that would benefit the most from the expertise of an experienced Controller or CFO.

We can take complete responsibility for the financial side of your business, or we can function purely as your part-time / virtual Controller or CFO, optionally, managing your existing accounting  and bookkeeping staff.  Every business and situation is different.

We can work with your accounting and bookkeeping staff, attorneys, bankers, insurance brokers and tax preparers at a fraction of the cost of a full time employee.

Outsourcing to us will reduce and control your internal operating costs, allow you to gain access to extensive additional capabilities, and allow you to focus on managing your business.

We are seasoned professionals and have the experience, expertise, education and qualifications to be your part-time / virtual / on-going Controller or CFO.

The types of services that we can provide include:

• Monthly Accounting, CFO and Controller Services
• Accounts Payable and Receivable Management
• Financial Statement Preparation
• Cash Flow Analysis and Management
• Inventory Management and Control
• Fixed Assets Reporting
• Bank Reconciliations
• Tax Return Preparation
• Payroll Tax Compliance
• Variance Analysis and Reporting
• Activity Based and Job Costing
• Revenue and Expense Analysis
• Staff Training and Utilization
• Business Consulting and Guidance
• Accounting Systems and Controls
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Risk Management and Controls
• Strategic Planning and Consulting
• Cost / Revenue Benefit Analysis
• Budget Preparation and Reporting
• Financial Forecasting and Modeling
• Treasury / Cash Management
• Negotiations for Financing and Operations
• Reorganizations, Mergers and Acquisitions
• Develop and Analyze Business Plans
• Software Selection and Implementation
• Software Training and Support
• Preparation of Policies and Procedures

We are headquartered in the Tampa Bay area; the majority of our work is handled remotely, yet, we are able to talk and work with you on a regular periodic basis.

We have over 40 years of Accounting, Management and Systems experience.  Contact us for a free initial telephone consultation to discuss the immediate and long term benefits that we can offer you.

Ask us for help – this is what we do.

Visit our website www.desmidtconsulting.com to learn more about our business.

Contact us http://www.desmidtconsulting.com/contactus.html

813-938-3608

Thank you,

Peter DeSmidt,

The mobile website is a new phenomenon. In fact, there are only three million compared to about 266 million desktop websites. Mobile marketers and business owners are often confused whether to have one or not. And some often ask me: ‘Is my mobile web presence important? The answer is yes and here is why…

1. To avail your information and showcase expertise.

It is common for clients who want to engage professionals, to check for some background information. Ideally they want to know your experience, competence, and to establish your credibility. This is a natural way of doing business. Everybody wants to know if he is making the right choice and a website can aid in that decision.

It would be unfortunate for you to be looking for mobile web design clients when you don’t have a mobile website. How do you convince clients that you can optimize their site when you don’t have one?

On the other hand, a business with mainly local clients could be losing big business if it has no mobile website. Most people who want information while on the move use a mobile device to get it. And the way mobile search engines work is that the local sites optimized for the device come up first on the search. That means, your competitor’s sites with mobile presence are showing up and getting the business while you complain about the economy.

By the way, mobile searchers are usually motivated buyers. They are eager to get a solution and ready to spend money. Otherwise, they can wait and use their computers at home or office.

2. To disseminate time- sensitive information.

An email can go for days without being read while an SMS – short message service – is read within 4 minutes and the open rate is as high as 97%. Now, if you have time sensitive information the best way to pass it on is by SMS. But there is a problem of 160-character SMS limit. That means you can’t say much on an SMS. So the best solution is to pass sensitive, but short information using your website. You then send an SMS to the effect. People who receive the text message will open your website to catch up with whatever you have to say. This is not a practical strategy if you are using a traditional website.

3. To tap into the huge market that is fast growing.

Mobile devices are now more than 5.3 billion worldwide. They have outnumbered PCs and TVs combined. In the US we expect 100% penetration soon and the number of smart phones that can read mobile websites is growing. I think more people will start surfing the web using mobile devices than the desktop computer. It is difficult to ignore this huge potential.

And by the way, the younger technology savvy generation has more advanced gadgets than the older generation. For anybody targeting this group, it would be very wise to have mobile web presence sooner than later.

Final thought…

Google is developing voice searches. You just speak and the results come on your mobile phone. Naturally only the 3 million mobile websites will show up on the results. Will your business be among them?

Mary Wilhite is a Mobile Marketing Specialist, also known as the Mobile Marketing Queen. Teaching small businesses, entrepreneurs, and internet marketers how to attract better customers with mobile marketing devices. Get more of her mobile marketing tips, tricks, and strategies today. Just click here http://marywilhiteblog.com

Ask us for help – this is what we do.

Visit our website www.desmidtconsulting.com

Contact us http://www.desmidtconsulting.com/contactus.html

813-938-3608

Thank you,

Peter DeSmidt, BA, MBA, PA

QuickBooks Certified Advanced ProAdvisor

Microsoft Certified Accounting Application Specialist

Microsoft Certified Installation Specialist

1. What is Cloud Computing?

The term ‘Cloud Computing’ was born in the middle of 2007. The word ‘Cloud’ is a metaphor to describe the Internet. So it can be explained simply as computing (applications, storage, services etc.) residing on the Internet which the users connect to.

For example, if you are using web applications from big firms such as Google or Microsoft, it means that you are using Cloud Computing. The web applications such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Hotmail, Salesforce, Dropbox and Google Docs are all Cloud Computing services because when connecting to those services, the users will access to massive integrated server groups on the Internet.

2. Why use Cloud Computing?

Generally, large corporations install certain applications on servers to provide lower costs (shared storage, management, architecture etc.) and distributed connectivity (e.g. global access). With Cloud Computing, resources are shared, so a single email server may serve 500 companies instead of 500 companies needing to buy their own internal email server for example. Therefore, it reduces the cost arising from individual companies hosting their own services locally. As saying above, the word ‘Cloud’ refers to the Internet.

Currently, many companies have posted their applications to the Internet and have integrated features through a web browser allowing connectivity from different computing platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux etc.)

3. What does Cloud Computing have to do for your business?

Easier: If they usually run their applications on their own servers that are placed in their offices, it requires local effort for maintenance, the cost and the time to keep things running continuously and upgrading. If they use cloud computing, they will still use the same applications but the applications will be implemented on an Internet facing server. In many cases, the maintenance, upgrading and running of the server is handled by a data center or application provider. Further, they can also let their users or associates use the applications without having to install anything to their computers.

More efficient: Have you ever thought that your company will use Office 360 or Google Docs instead of Microsoft Office or Open Office? From cloud services, the company doesn’t have to spend large amounts of money on licensing fees, maintenance, updating etc. It’s all carried out without the company needing to be too concerned.

The drawback of office application based cloud computing is that it is completely dependent on a reliable internet service. Also a slow internet connection can make the experience unpleasant if there are long delays between doing different functions.

Much cheaper: There are no capital expenditures upfront (no need to buy servers etc.) and most services grow as your needs grow so you only pay for what you need. The cost is also easier to bear for small companies.

Flexible: A global solution designed to suit your needs. It is quickly adaptable if your needs change. You might add or remove users and set up regular or spike access time.

Secure: More sophisticated security systems but interdependent with the company operating the servers and may not be suitable for confidential data.

Written by Lily Thi Tran

Ask us for help – this is what we do.

Visit our website www.desmidtconsulting.com

Contact us http://www.desmidtconsulting.com/contactus.html

813-938-3608

Thank you,

Peter DeSmidt, BA, MBA, PA

QuickBooks Certified Advanced ProAdvisor

Microsoft Certified Accounting Application Specialist

Microsoft Certified Installation Specialist

Starting up a small business can be difficult due to the size of the company. Irrespective of the selling power of the product you have, it’s still difficult as no one knows you are there. However, there is a large world out there called the “online social media” and there are many ways to promote your business using this tool – and it’s free!

You will need to be able to demonstrate why you are a unique company and why the customer / client should choose YOU over the competition. Irrespective of competition or not, it’s important to continue to make your company aware, as customers won’t just come to you, you will have to get to them.

Using Facebook is a good starting point – you can create a page for your business. Ensure you have your own personal profile separately then link in with your business page. You can then network through each. Facebook also allows you to comment and post to friends and get your business name out in the public arena. With local businesses you could ask members of the community who know you online to pass “like” and other such favorable comments on your business page. It won’t take long and more people from your area will be visiting your page and adding their comments, thus you are able to reach a good-sized audience, conveniently from your own home.

In addition to Facebook, you could have your own website or blog which enhances your business – remember it needs to be search engine friendly – and you can use it to provide much more informative details about your business and its services, in addition to using it as a way of communicating with potential customers. You are also able to offer them discounts or post advertisements at no extra cost!

Twitter is also another way of freely putting yourself into the public arena and obtain other people from there who may not be on Facebook. It’s a good place to market yourself and possibly give discount vouchers to offer interest in your company.

You can also make videos of your business, from your grand opening to demonstrating a certain product – these would then be put onto YouTube – again, a free way of advertising.

Another social media outlet is LinkedIn which is known as the ‘professional Facebook’ and can be advantageous to your business. Here you can find other local business and make acquaintances that in the future may become very useful.

Indeed, social media for small business isn’t a bonus, it’s vital to help your business by offering free advertising, plus it’s sociable and fun at the same time. You need business so it’s vital you get your name out there by social media marketing!

I invite you to take advantage of these tips on how to use social media for small business and to find out more about how social media can help you get your voice heard, please visit http://www.SocialMediaSorcerer.com for more ideas.

Ask us for help – this is what we do.

Visit our website www.desmidtconsulting.com

Contact us http://www.desmidtconsulting.com/contactus.html

813-938-3608

Thank you,

Peter DeSmidt, BA, MBA, PA

QuickBooks Certified Advanced ProAdvisor

Microsoft Certified Accounting Application Specialist

Microsoft Certified Installation Specialist

As we continue with the economic rebound – we need to take a close look at our interviewing, hiring and human resources operations.  As you review these steps and procedures, evaluate your own company’s hiring processes to see where you stand.

1     Get everyone on the hiring team to agree on what the real needs of the job and the company are.

2     Make your printed and internet job postings more about the career path, and future growth, not necessarily operations and compensation.

3     Have your new employee training and orientation program, either formal or informal, in place, before you start your interviewing process.

4     Develop a mentoring system, for the new employee to work with a person, who is not their supervisor.

5     Develop a “success profile” and a “path to success” guide, rather than using a job description.

6     Expand your network and referral program, to put the word out, before you start posting job opening ads.

7     Rather than listing requirements in your job opening ads, focus on describing opportunities within your business.

8     Create a printed performance review and disciplinary procedures manual.

9     Find a reputable company for conducting new employee background checks.

10   Make the interview time definitely worth the candidates’ time.

11    Specifically define the duties of the position, in writing, before you start your job posting process.

12   Make any necessary changes to the workplace and work space before you start your interviewing process.

13   Don’t have too many hands in the recruitment process, as that tends to make the recruitment process too step and sequence oriented.

14    Insure that your job interviewers have sufficient training, and know how, to address performance management and human resource issues, before interviewing new candidates.

15    Insure that your employee benefits are up to industry standards and the levels that you can afford and justify.

Companies that can hire the best and meet the future requirements of the business will be the companies that survive best in these recession and post recession times.

Ask us for help – this is what we do.

Visit our website www.desmidtconsulting.com

Contact us http://www.desmidtconsulting.com/contactus.html

813-938-3608

Thank you,

Peter DeSmidt, BA, MBA, PA

QuickBooks Certified Advanced ProAdvisor

Microsoft Certified Accounting Application Specialist

Microsoft Certified Installation Specialist

If you are having a difficult time with your QuickBooks, your monthly or annual reports, your chart of accounts, your understanding of your financial reports, or you have felt like you did not get off on the proper track with your QuickBooks setup, we can help.

Our QuickBooks Certified Advanced Pro Advisor, Controller and Accountant, Peter DeSmidt, will remotely perform data file review, analysis, corrections, and journal entries, of your company data file.  Act now, save money, time, and insure accuracy, on your current year, and year end, by having your QuickBooks file professionally reviewed and analyzed.

For a $200 fee we will

• Correct postings to incorrect accounts
• Review and analyze the company file
• Review the company setup and make recommendations as needed
• Insure items, fixed assets, sales tax, and chart of accounts are set up properly
• Fix unapplied customer and vendor payments and credits
• Review customer and vendor aging balances
• Evaluate 1099 accounts handling
• Correct undeposited funds accounts
• Adjust loan and credit line balances
• Write off customer bad debts
• Locate discrepancies in bank reconciliations
• Review and scrutinize your transactions for the year
• Discuss your business operations, accounting requirements, and reporting needs with you

This service is for QuickBooks 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 Pro, Premier, Online and Enterprise editions.  We will work with your accountants copy or portable copy and not interrupt your ongoing work and reply back to you, via email, with known issues, corrections and recommendations.  Not a long term commitment.  Even if you have an accounting and tax preparer firm, we can help.  We can also provide optional training, reporting, analysis, controller, coaching and hiring assistance.  We have over 40 years of Accounting, Management and Systems experience.

Email us or call us – to schedule your review and analysis, to learn more, and to discuss your requirements.  Free initial telephone consultation. Evening, weekend, and daytime telephone consultation appointment times are available. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you.

Ask us for help – this is what we do.

Visit our website www.desmidtconsulting.com

Contact us http://www.desmidtconsulting.com/contactus.html

813-938-3608

Thank you,

Peter DeSmidt, BA, MBA, PA

QuickBooks Certified Advanced ProAdvisor

Microsoft Certified Accounting Application Specialist

Microsoft Certified Installation Specialist

Business Consulting

Even the most qualified managers can benefit from competent, objective feedback. We can help your company’s management team develop long-term objectives and specific strategies to facilitate your business’ future growth and success.

We can provide your business with small business consulting, virtual, interim and temporary accounting, controller, and CFO services, business and financial planning, CEO and COO support, project management, cost control services, strategic planning, business valuations, business start up advice, lease purchase analysis, and outsourced accounting services.

Supply Chain Consulting

Global studies suggest that many executives rate supply related risks as the top threat to revenue. We can help you minimize risks related to supply interruptions, security threats, weather threats, labor disputes and customer demands.

We instruct our clients on how to identify, manage and monitor supply chain risks resulting in process improvements and improved efficiency.

Strategic Consulting

Strategic planning is a management process for evaluating your current business, determining your strategic direction, and road mapping your strategic plan into practical actions. A strategic plan explains why an organization exists, what it is trying to accomplish, and the tactics it will take to achieve its goals and objectives.

We will develop the business planning and financial modeling necessary to formulate a forward-thinking, evidence-based strategic plan. We can help you develop your strategic direction and then focus on specific actions to put your plan into action.

Profitability Management

Profitability Management involves integrating the pricing objectives of often conflicting functional areas of the organization into a comprehensive plan to effectively set and capture prices.

We can help you attain the greatest value for your pricing strategy by developing an optimal pricing strategy, implementing effective pricing processes, measuring and controlling price at the transactional level and integrating technology with the processes utilize for your pricing strategy.

Cost Reduction

We implement and expedite cost-savings initiatives for all types of organizations. We combine a data-driven procurement strategy with market proven purchasing techniques to provide significant cost savings to our customers.

We specialize in using financial information to identify those areas of the business that provide the greatest opportunity for expense reduction and cost savings resulting in improved value for the organization.

Policies and Procedures

Many businesses fail because they have the right strategies but are unable to put them into practice because of failures in the processes necessary to implement those strategies. Whether your business processes are broken or in need of improvements we can help you break through your execution problems.

By analyzing existing processes, identifying bottlenecks and redesigning or improving the processes we can significantly reduce costs and improve satisfaction for all stakeholders in your organization.

Systems Consulting

When considering the installation of an accounting software system, you want to be certain to get the one that’s best for your business.  We can provide your business with needs analysis, accounting systems design, chart of accounts design, software selection assistance, software installation,  implementation and setup, financial statement design, file conversion, training, support, and guidance.

Management Consulting

We can help your business identify areas negatively affecting profitability and growth and develop solutions that are practical and technically sound. In addition to acting as a sounding board for management, we provide comprehensive, flexible strategies that address the issues affecting your business.

We can provide your business with product line profitability analysis, inventory and purchasing control, employee benefits planning and analysis, operations and office procedure documentation and advisory services.

We have over 40 years of Accounting, Management and Systems experience.  Contact us for a free initial telephone consultation to discuss the immediate and long term benefits that we can offer you.

Ask us for help – this is what we do.

Visit our website www.desmidtconsulting.com to learn more about our business.

Contact us www.desmidtconsulting.com/contactus.html

813-938-3608

Thank you,

Peter DeSmidt

We provide QuickBooks help,  installation, set up, accounting, training, support, troubleshooting, implementation, consulting and controller services to small and medium sized businesses.  We also provide small business consulting  services to include cost control, financial systems, staff training, treasury  management, revenue and expense analysis, inventory management, and small business turnaround services.

You will always work with the same person at our firm; Peter has over 40 years of experience in Accounting, Systems and Business Management; he has been an Accounting Instructor at Mercer University and Georgia State University; and is a Certified QuickBooks Advanced ProAdvisor.

We are headquartered in the Tampa Bay South Shore area, and serve the metro area, and remotely serve Florida and the US.

Our Services Provided Include: 

• Monthly Accounting Services
• Accounts Payable and Receivable Management
• Financial Statement Preparation
• Cash Flow Analysis and Management
• Inventory Management and Control
• Fixed Assets Reporting
• Bank Reconciliations
• Payroll Tax Compliance
• Variance Analysis and Reporting
• Revenue and Expense Analysis
• Staff Training and Utilization
• Business Consulting and Guidance
• Accounting Systems and Controls
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Budget Preparation and Reporting
• Treasury / Cash Management
• Software Selection and Implementation
• Software Training and Support
• Controller and CFO Services
• Virtual, Part-Time, and Outsourced Services
• Cost Control / Cost Management Consulting
• Accounting Software Training and Support
• Strategic Planning and Consulting
• Business Planning and Forecasting
• Policies and Procedures
• Defining Job and Project Cost Elements
• Creating and Customizing Reports

QuickBooks is a user-friendly and easy to use system, provided the initial set-up is implemented properly.  In fact, the majority of QuickBooks problems discovered after implementation stem from improper initial set-up.  Get started on the right track, by working with us, and avoid costly problems in the future. You will receive a QuickBooks file customized for your business based upon the information that you provide.

Here’s a list of the services that we can provide during your QuickBooks setup:

• Evaluate your software requirements and overall accounting needs
• Determine your accounting and QuickBooks software needs
• Recommend the appropriate QuickBooks software and establish hardware requirements
• Software installation and set-up
• Design and set-up the chart of accounts and the entire accounting system– including payroll, accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable
• Determine your QuickBooks start date
• Customize the chart of accounts for your business and load balances as of your start date
• Customer and vendor set-up
• Item set-up including services, inventory parts, non-inventory parts, other charges and sales-tax items
• Set-up your outstanding accounts receivable and accounts payable details as of your start date
• Set-up your ending statement bank balances and outstanding checks & deposits in transit as of your start date
• Enter your transactions since your starting dates into QuickBooks
• Print a trial balance as of your starting date and compare it to your trial balance from your old system
• Train your staff in use of software to meet your accounting, management and tax-reporting needs
• Follow-up training to ensure you are on the right track
• Monthly, quarterly or annual review of QuickBooks to assist in tax preparation and management reports

Why our one on one training is the way for your company

• Training at your location, a quiet restaurant, or via shared desktop at a time that is convenient for you – including weekends
• Work on your live QuickBooks file
• Training is based on your skill level, and at your pace
• Focus on QuickBooks features that are relevant for your business
• Get answers your specific questions and concerns
• Training implemented in one to several 3 to 5 hour intervals – spaced over time

While a one-on-one instructor-led QuickBooks training class is more expensive than attending a group class, it is a good investment when you have specific QuickBooks issues to solve or you need to get QuickBooks started in the right direction with your QuickBooks accounting and bookkeeping needs. I can help you figure out the best solutions for your particular QuickBooks accounting issues, and give you a strategy for how best to pursue your short-term and long-term goals for your business. Getting off on an ill-directed path in QuickBooks accounting can be very costly in the long run; getting the right professional advice from the start will certainly be well worth the investment.

We can train on Pro, Premier, Online, industry-specific versions and Enterprise versions of QuickBooks.  Our one-on-one training is customized for your business. Email us or call us – to  schedule your implementation / training / support services to learn more,  and to discuss your requirements.  Free initial telephone consultation. Evening, weekend, and daytime telephone consultation appointment times are available. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you.

Ask us for help – this is what we do.

Visit our website www.desmidtconsulting.com to learn more about our business.

Contact us www.desmidtconsulting.com/contactus.html

813-938-3608

Thank you,

Peter DeSmidt, BA, MBA, PA

QuickBooks Certified Advanced ProAdvisor

Microsoft Certified Accounting Application Specialist

Microsoft Certified Installation Specialist

Small and medium-sized companies that are not in a position to hire a full-time Controller or CFO are often the companies that would benefit the most from the expertise of an experienced Controller or CFO.

We can take complete responsibility for the financial side of your business, or we can function purely as your part-time / virtual Controller or CFO, optionally, managing your existing accounting  and bookkeeping staff.  Every business and situation is different.

We can work with your accounting and bookkeeping staff, attorneys, bankers, insurance brokers and tax preparers at a fraction of the cost of a full time employee.

Outsourcing to us will reduce and control your internal operating costs, allow you to gain access to extensive additional capabilities, and allow you to focus on managing your business.

We are seasoned professionals and have the experience, expertise, education and qualifications to be your part-time / virtual / on-going Controller or CFO.

The types of services that we can provide include:

• Monthly Accounting, CFO and Controller Services
• Accounts Payable and Receivable Management
• Financial Statement Preparation
• Cash Flow Analysis and Management
• Inventory Management and Control
• Fixed Assets Reporting
• Bank Reconciliations
• Tax Return Preparation
• Payroll Tax Compliance
• Variance Analysis and Reporting
• Activity Based and Job Costing
• Revenue and Expense Analysis
• Staff Training and Utilization
• Business Consulting and Guidance
• Accounting Systems and Controls
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Risk Management and Controls
• Strategic Planning and Consulting
• Cost / Revenue Benefit Analysis
• Budget Preparation and Reporting
• Financial Forecasting and Modeling
• Treasury / Cash Management
• Negotiations for Financing and Operations
• Reorganizations, Mergers and Acquisitions
• Develop and Analyze Business Plans
• Software Selection and Implementation
• Software Training and Support
• Preparation of Policies and Procedures

We are headquartered in the Tampa Bay area; the majority of our work is handled remotely, yet, we are able to talk and work with you on a regular periodic basis.

We have over 40 years of Accounting, Management and Systems experience.  Contact us for a free initial telephone consultation to discuss the immediate and long term benefits that we can offer you.

Ask us for help – this is what we do.

Visit our website www.desmidtconsulting.com to learn more about our business.

Contact us http://www.desmidtconsulting.com/contactus.html

813-938-3608

Thank you,

Peter DeSmidt,