The Accountancy Services Website

I run a small services business and our major overhead is the telephone. We are looking to make a major step and move into a serviced office building with secure Cisco networks, and I am looking to avoid their huge monthly telephony costs by putting in place a good VoIP solution to give us a more professional image.

There are 4 of us … we want to someone to be able to dial a main company number and be greeted by a company introduction message, and then presented with options on who they would like to be directed to. We want this solution to have all the normall business things you would expect like voicemail, call forwarding, message indicator, etc. Up to now I have been looking at the following solutions: Skype (obviously too basic for proper business purposes), SIP (like sipgate and voipfone … these look pretty good to me) and Primus Telecom.

Taking into account the functions we are looking for coupled with good value call rates what would you recommned?

Well, there are several aspects to look at for your system.

One is the line provider – do you want normal PSTN or ISDN lines? Or do you want to be entirely VOIP, and therefore use a web based phone provider? I can’t really advise on this aspect, as it really does come down to your specific needs. I would contact a selection of normal providers and look at organisations such as Vonage for a VOIP solution and compare the costs.

The other aspect is the PBX itself. Personally, I am comfortable setting up and maintaining an Asterisk based system, but this can require some significant technical knowhow, or require the need to pay for someone to do the initial setup and a support contract (which, as I a business is a must really). You could look at trixbox

The other possibilities include VOIP systems by Cisco, Alcatel and many others. Your best option here is to get some quotes and compare.

I have a name and some accounts already, how do i go about getting a business license and patenting my business’s name? Also – how would i do the taxes?

It all depends on how far you want to go.

The library has books on how to register your own LLC with your state. You can also register a DBA (doing business as).

There are many orginizations that can help you on your way.

Check to see if there is a local SCORE office. http://www.score.org/index.html They are volunteers, retired executives that can help you with many questions regarding starting a business.

If you have employees, you will need to register with the IRS and get an employer ID.

I can imagine if you’re reading this the laughter.
But I’m as serious as I am "poor".

In a nutshell, I’m trying to help a friend(at not cost to her) set up accounting books for her small business.
Her business is running a childcare. It’s purely a service business with no assets to speak of, or inventory.
From the library I borrowed "Small Business Accounting/Simplified" which suggested she operate under a modified "single-entry accounting system" since the business is pure service with all income in cash or checks.

At the end of this book are copies of all income tax forms which a small business might find necessary (with instructions for each). I have not read any of this section.

What I hope to find is probably a retired accountant who can give me a few hours of his/her time to make sure I know what I’m doing. (at the moment I’m not confident at all).

I live in New Rochelle, N.Y and the childcare is also located in this city. I can travel to most parts of Westchester County or New York City if necessary to receive instructions.

Thanks for any advice.
Tony

Tony I can tell u don’t have a clue and that is ok most of of us are asking question because of this very exact reason. So form the outset, assets in this case would be the business it self if it is making money. Next inventory, is anything that help you run the business from a daycare prospective i imagine that you would have books, toys, cots, easels, mats, book shelf’s, these items would be inventory. Inventory is somethings that you can sell and get some money back. this is called tangible assets, liquid assets are monetary items stock, bonds, bank CDs these things. All you need is a basic accounting book for money in-comings is what the parents pay you weekly and what you pay out electric,gas,you purchase food, pampers,clothes, or anything that you pay for and you write these things down just like you do in your everyday home expenditures. this is your basic need there is a sheet in that book like that just look for in and copy it several times. Where to get attorney help, On inline type SCORE.COM this is an organization that help small businesses get started on the advise you are looking for, hope this helps. Yes they have retired attorneys.

I’ve been a contractor for 3 months and have had Giant, an umbrella company, process my pay. I take home under 60% of what I make despite claiming (very humble) expenses. I have just won a new contract on a lot of money so want to make sure I do the right thing and don’t get ripped off. I’ve been told that my contract definitely falls outside of IR35 and has been especially written that way. I’m thinking I should go limited company and do the company formation myself, or would I be better getting an accountant to deal with everything for me or a specialist online contractor accountant service or something. I’ve found so much conflicting information online but it’s all biased, before I started last time Giant gave me a quote telling me I’d get over 75% before I started and that was clearly rubbish! What do you guys do/ recommend? Any responses gratefully received! PS. I’m based in Berkshire so any accountants etc. around there even better!

I would go and speak to 2 or 3 accountants – any good firlms will be willing to offer you an hour of their time to explain the pros and cons of each alternative and to tell you what their fees are. I have to say that putting the company and PAYE stuff in the hands of a good, local accountant will save you loads of hassle, fines, etc.

I am currently in the process of completing my Bachelor’s in Accounting. I would like to start my home based business for bookeeping, taxes, payroll etc. In the state of Florida, is it REQUIRED to have the degree or license. I know I will have more clientel once I graduate, but for now I have about 20 customers for taxes and would like to start my business.
I know that once I graduate, more people will confide in my services. For now I just want to be informed about wether or not I need a license…thanx.

You don’t need a degree or certification to keep books or do taxes or payroll. You only need them if you’re auditing books, and certifying the results of your audit. And if you’re doing the audit under the supervision of someone who’s already a CPA, you don’t even need them then.

…once i finish (2 years) what jobs can i apply for?

You can apply for a financial analyst or accountant’s job .

These people keep sending me official looking documents in the mail claiming I may have won a million dollars but they want 21.95 for a report, then they go on to say that they cannot guarantee the winnings nor are they affiliated with the sweepstakes sponsors or affiliates

Guess what?!? If I could fool enough people into sending me $21.95, I’d be rich! Ten of them would be $219.50. Fifty of them would be $1,097.50, and so on. Somehow these scammers have gotten your address, probably from something you’ve entered and perhaps forgotten about. Ignore it, you ain’t gonna get money, and will end up losing at least the $21.95, and possibly a lot more. They’d love to have you send them a check, or use your debit card to pay this, and then they have your information and you have no money left! The round file is the place for this, or the shredder if you have one. You can’t return them, just get rid of them and forget about getting rich quick.

you can go for Google for these companies list , just search accounting services companies in UK.you will find desirable result.

Im looking to take the CPA EXAMS here in the states but would like to know if i qualify having had my degree from abroad.If i dont qualify what would be the best steps to take?

Not knowing more of the facts, it is unlikely you will be eligible to take the International Qualification Examination (IQEX). In general, the exam enables accountants from (certain) other countries who have comparable accounting education, experience and in some cases possess certification from a recognized body to obtain certification in the US.

There are 54 different offices in the U.S.A. to which you can send an application to become a U.S. CPA. Each of the 50 states issues its own CPA certificate, as do Washington D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At the time of this writing, there are about 26 states do not require that you be a resident of the state or a U.S. citizen to earn a CPA certificate issued by that state – this link lists them: http://www.ais-cpa.com/outside.html#RESIDENT

In some states you can become a CPA with no employment time if you have a master’s degree. Some states will grant a CPA certificate with no experience, but require evidence of experience before a "permit to practice" is issued. If you just want a U.S. CPA certificate for your resume, you might investigate these states: http://www.ais-cpa.com/outside.html#EXPERIENCE

Most states have adopted a 150-university semester hour educational requirement. A few states require only a four-year university degree. Each state has specific requirements for evaluation of your transcripts, so you must pick a state before you can have your transcripts evaluated.

To get started, one must
(1) Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from a recognized educational institution and present a valid transcript from that institution that shows degree credit for not fewer than 30 semester hours of accounting courses

The university on the following link is from a random Google search. The courses are similar to those I had to take when I sat for the CPA exam. The list is not comprehensive but it should give you an at least general idea. The accounting educational requirements are similar for most CPA candidates. For now, disregard the part that explains the 150-hour Master’s Degree requirement. Read the courses that are required along with the course descriptions – not the Internship part at the bottom.
http://www.stmarytx.edu/business/accounting/?go=list

There is a possibility you have taken similar courses in another country. If this is the case, it may be possible to receive credit for those courses and you may not have to repeat many of the comparable, basic courses.

***I am uncertain the advise you received from the organization who evaluated your education. The reliable source to evaluate your education is an academic counselor or an otherwise knowledgeable person. As previously mentioned, each state in the U.S. has specific requirements for evaluation of your transcripts, so you must pick a state before you can have your transcripts evaluated.********

A nearby college or university might help or you could contact the Board of Accountancy in the state you are interested. Most state boards have a site on the web that might be able to direct you. If you know the state in which you would like to apply, see the state boards. If you aren’t sure in which state to apply, http://www.ais-cpa.com/boards.html. If you are from another country http://www.ais-cpa.com/outside.html
Good luck

I am now a Regions customer and have been really unsatisfied with their services. I have never had so many problems with a bank before. The overdraft fees, the poor customer service, and I just recently found out from a teleservice representative at Regions corporate that the corporate offices gave each bank branch power over the accounts they open. Meaning, if a branch manager decides that he/she doesn’t want to refund overdraft fees regardless of the reason, he/she does not have to. Does anyone reccommend a bank and/or bank account that is student-friendly?

credit unions are the best in my opinion. i love the one that i am with