I am a CPA, where my focus is on public accounting. I help a lot of different businesses. Many days, I wish there were more than 24 hours, as there is a lot to do, including helping my clients with accounting and taxes.
I no longer wish to do bookkeeping, nor will my clients pay my fees to do these tasks. And, frankly speaking, not all my clients have the time or desire to work on their books. In my world, I know a lot of colleagues who prefer this job and have made a business out of doing bookkeeping. I therefore refer my clients to these professionals.
In the past year, I was informed of a bookkeeper named Andy, who had his own business and team. He was reasonably priced. "Okay," I said, "let’s give it a whirl." So I referred a client to him and they were quite pleased. Andy did not do taxes, but he knew what I needed for a clean set up book at the end of the year.
Well, one referral to him led to two, then three, and many more. Because he handled so many of my clients, I found myself chatting with him more frequently than my other referral sources. I knew I needed to hone his skills to get me what I needed for my work to continue and what the client needed—a tough position to be juggling. Andy had many ideas and ways of handling clients and his own business practices.
He was young and did not have the experience I had. He hadn’t fallen off his professional bicycle and got up, dust himself off and try a different way of doing things. So, I kind of took him under my wing and became a mentor. We had many conversations on how to handle the business, clients and other accountants that send him business.
I also noticed he was very hot-headed and sometimes made foolish decisions. It took some work, but I was not going to give up on him, nor was he on me.
I have gone to many accounting conferences. I knew the value of attending and getting the most out of these events. When I first approached him about attending one, he came up with every excuse in the book. Too costly. A new client required his time and attention. And there were others, too.
I made a tough decision. I thought, "How can I make a difference to him and show him how valuable the experience would be?" And I was planning on going to the conference and already bought my ticket.
I said, "Let’s go together."
Still, he was not budging.
So, here is what I told him. I said I was transferring my ticket to him. All he had to do was pay the airfare, hotel and ground transportation. After he went, if he hated it, I would never mention it again. But, if he went and he got a lot out of it, he would reimburse me for the ticket. I was not taking no for an answer. I chose to give back to my profession and especially the younger generation.
We are in an industry that is slowly dying, as today's youth find the accounting profession too much to want to pursue a career in. I gave selflessly, and hoped my colleagues would one day pay it forward—like sponsoring someone they know on the value of our profession.
Like they say, "sometimes it takes a village" to help those who want it.
You cannot imagine the pride I had when I received the funds in my account a week after the show ended. Two people had great success with the purchase of one ticket. If you are a professional in my shoes, I dare you to do the same. The benefits may really warm your heart.
Rich Kane, CPA, is a QuickBooks Professional Advisor and member of Intuit’s Trainers Writers Network. Based out of Chicago, Rich received his undergraduate degree from Northeastern Illinois University and MBA from Loyola University of Chicago. He loves to help clients with accounting and tax work. He has been working with QuickBooks since 1996.
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