Taking a bit of time to clean-up QuickBooks and prepare it before giving it to your tax preparer could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in income taxes.

Handyman Contractors Are High Profit Low Risk Construction Niche

Lately we have been tracking how many new clients own and operate Handyman Companies and the results are surprising. We have always known them to be a high-profit low-risk type of business that for the most part is not as severely impacted by ups and downs of the economy. Nowhere near other segments of the construction industry

When the economy starts slowing down a predictable shift takes place:

• Spec house builders start building custom homes and lose money because the dynamics of Spec Vs. Custom.
• Custom home builders feeling competitive price pressure from spec house builders start doing remodels lose money.
• Remodelers feeling competitive price pressure from custom home builders become handyman and lose money.
• Handyman contractors notice some of their opportunities dry up so they tend to have more time for add-on sales.

When the latest recession began in early 2009 contractors were hit especially hard and are just now beginning to recover. If you earn your living as a handyman here is some important information just for you starting with a Podcast interview of Dan Perry founder of Handyman Startup.

Outsourcing Your Construction Bookkeeping Works Best When:

• Your construction company is small with 1-10 employees and doesn't need a full-time bookkeeper.
• You need someone with more skills than the receptionist or office manager can provide.
• You need someone skilled in construction accounting who knows how to handle job deposits, progress billings, etc.
• You don't have the time, energy or money to setup an office, hire a bookkeeper and babysit them!
• If the bookkeeper is out on maternity leave, or if there will be a vacancy of several months.
• You need a Contractor Champion who is your advocate helping make certain things get done!

Is QuickBooks A Mess? Perhaps It Is Time To Start Over

Sometimes contractors get into a position where their QuickBooks file is a hopeless mess and it would cost more to fix it than it would to simply start over. Here is a list of warning signs that can help you decide:

1. Nothing inside QuickBooks Makes Any Sense to you
2. None of the Financial or Job Costing Reports make any sense to you
3. Your bank balance in QuickBooks is completely different from your last bank statement
4. Your credit card balance in QuickBooks is completely different from your last credit card statement
5. Your bookkeeper put credit card statement charges in bulk using Journal Entries destroying Job Costing

Merry Christmas 2015!

This Is The Time Of Year For Reflection On All The Good Times Of 2015

Time To Bask In Your Successes, Lessons Learned From Your Challenges

And To Look Forward To A Brighter And Better Year...

Wishing You And Yours A Very Merry Christmas!

Contractor Champions At Fast Easy Accounting

Contractor Champions at Fast Easy Accounting are like concierges at a five star hotel. You get all the services at a fraction of the cost.

Thanksgiving Is A Time - To give thanks for all that we have and for the men and women who are part of the greatest industry on earth, Construction. You make civilization possible for everyone!

I am a huge fan of Michael E. Porter because of his grasp and understanding of how business works and his ability to convert complex business strategies that anyone can easily understand.