February 1st 2018 Meeting Notes

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February 1st Meeting Notes Bulleted By Linda Lagraff

Technology: What's Working and What's Not.

February 1, 2018

Vice President Melissa Barton opened the February 1st meeting with a discussion of what is working and what isn’t with technology.  She told about a small manufacturing company that was trying to do too much in QB, when what they needed was to only track finance in QB and move everything else out.  She got them using ShipStation.

  • Discussion followed regarding other programs
  • LightSpeed was recommended for restaurants and small to medium size retail businesses. It integrates with QBs
  • Adobe, at the paid dues level, allows you to transfer pdf files to either excel or word programs.
  • The pdf2qbo program makes transferring bank statements to QuickBooks easier
  • com was highly recommended. It has authorizations features and allows clients to set up systems to assure those that need to see and approve bills prior to payment can.

Discussion then turned to 1099s and what worked or changes to consider for 2018

  • Have all vendors fill out a new W9 in Jan every year. This way all information is current and not waiting until a vendor reaches the $600 limit before remembering to collect a W-9
  • Clients should set up a policy that vendors will not be paid until the W-9 is received

As tax season is upon us questions were presented to the CPAs in attendance for their advice

  • Most liked to receive back-up or portable QB files.
  • Most liked that their clients used account numbers
  • Most also agreed that they like to be able to discuss things with a client’s bookkeeper. If your clients allow it, introduce yourself to their CPAs

March 1st meeting will be a demonstration of XERO software.  Presented by staff from XERO.  There will be time for questions.   Meeting will be at Meals on Wheels locatons at 7710 SW 1st Ave., Portland, OR 97219.  11:30-1:00 pm and it is a bring your own lunch style meeting.

Meeting Minutes May 5, 2016

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The meeting this month was held at the WeWork Offices in downtown Portland.  Kim introduced our group.  Renee Trump facilitated the meeting.  Renee’s first question for the group was “What has been your strategy to keep up with apps and technology?” Melissa mentioned that she reads “Leader Report”.  Other sources included Charlie Russell, Linked-In Groups, QBO Power Hour and Sleeter Group.  Kevin Minkoff reads the Technology Today Magazine.  Renee uses HubDoc – a bank feed version.  HubDoc doesn’t work with On Point but integrates with QuickBooks online. Receipt bank software was discussed.  The client helps describe the transaction and take a picture of the receipt with their phone.  Alicia stated that she uses T-Sheets.  It is an app that can assist classifying timesheets including employee’s time and phone calls.  It integrates with your desktop computer. Next Renee mentioned a quote from Mike Michalowicz’s book “Profit First”.  The theme of the quote related to the fact that software is changing so quickly that to survive, the accounting industry will need to be more consultative and less transactional.  Although it is true that software enables consumers more tools to do things previously relegated only to bookkeepers and accountants, proper use of the software requires skills and understanding not held by many consumers.

The next All Star Accounting Professional meeting will be held on June 2, 2016 at Kevin Minkoff’s office on the Eastside of Portland.  Diana Chung will facilitate the meeting.