Since 1980, Small Business Tax and Management has been providing services to business owners. Lots of resources on this site. www.smbiz.com/

Bookkeeping and Tax Programs: Quicken, QuickBooks, Turbo Tax www.intuit.com/products_services

Taxes and Accounting www.quicken.com/small_business axes_and_accounting http://www.peachtree.com/

The Top 10 Essentials for Making a Hobby Into a Business http:/ opten.org/public/AA/AA82.html Dealing Effectively with IRS http:/ opten.org/public/AN/AN23.html

CPA or Bookkeeper? Besides trading on Wall Street, I was an Operations & Accounting Manager. At one point, I had bookkeepers and a few CPA's working for me. I was able to sign off on work performed by bookkeepers but I wasn't unable to sign off on any internal audits. Why? Because I didn't have a CPA License!

So you can see, there is a difference between a CPA and Bookkeeper. Now-a-days, with Quicken and Peachtree, many of us can set up our own bookkeeping and send out invoices - if that is how we choose to use our time.

If you are a sole proprietor, you can 1) hire a CPA firm that will also do your monthly bookkeeping 2) hire a CPA firm that will help you set up your monthly bookkeeping system and then you can do your bookkeeping or hire a bookkeeper 3) hire a bookkeeper to do your monthly bookkeeping 4) do it yourself.

Personally, I did my own bookkeeping for many years (I was an accounting manager) and then brought my records to a CPA yearly. I keep up with as many tax laws etc. as I can, I guess because I like that sort of thing. Many folks don't though! Know which you are!

As my business grew, I hired a bookkeeper and worked with them to set up a monthly bookkeeping system. The system was set up as suggested at IRS Tax Class I attended - with categories names and in close order to tax forms I'll use as a sole proprietor (Schedule C & Form 8829). I'll choose names of sub-categories based on how I spend money. They also suggested that you set up your file cabinet with similarly named files.

Enjoy my article on CPAs. It's called "10 Ideas To Help You Choose a CPA" http://www.coachmaria.com/articles/cpa.html

Maria Marsala, Business & Life Coach-Consultant. Maria works with successful individuals as they take their success to an even higher level. They're designing, and grow their lives, professionally and personally around what they love to do. Subscribe to "Helping You and Your Business Grow" our free weekly online newsletter. http://www.CoachMaria.com

ð They are loved when they are good sports. They support others, support competition, congratulate them, and are gracious. These are people that everyone LOVES. They learn from competition, and study their training methods and moves. As for you, be kind to your competition, and don't knock them. Learn from them, and let them help you learn to be wiser about your business.

ð The athletes have learned not to cheat, and many have learned that experience and opportunity to be at Games is satisfaction, and a medal isn't everything. Find satisfaction in each victory you get, and realize that as every competition cannot be won, neither can every sale. Don't cheat - it catches up to you.

ð One great aspect of competition - audience loves to see athletes smile. This warms them to audience and gives a good feeling. People connect with you. In your business, smile with your clients, and smile on phone and on emails - it shows through!

I have seen a lot of this in many years. Years ago I worked at Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, under Bob Mathias as my manager. Talk about a great role model for kids to look up to. He showed so much class and sportsmanship. These days, I follow my daughter on her competitive journeys in figure skating. I see whole gamut of competitive behavior. But you know which kids others gravitate toward. These are ones who behave as above, and have same qualities that make Olympic athletes special.

I believe if same qualities are used in business, you will see a positive effect in your sales and following. Try it!