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< Blog In the intricate world of finance, the role of an accountant is vital.💵 Succeeding in the field, your accounting firm, and getting ahead in your career is all about embodying a set of exceptional habits that keep you ahead. Whether you’re in the early stages of your accounting journey or you’re a seasoned certified public accountant looking to polish your ability, good habits are essential.👍 Source: Fit Small Business If you want to enhance your knowledge of what it takes to be a successful accountant and adopt some healthy habits, we’ve got you covered. We’ve created a list of 10 excellent practices of highly successful accountants so you can get ahead in your career.📈 Let’s get into it.  1. Communication Skills🗣 Good, effective communication is vital for accountants, especially those wanting to succeed. Being concise and clear is critical, especially when explaining financial data reports and collaborating with colleagues. Communication is key and according to statistics, “97% of workers say communication impacts their task efficacy on a daily basis.” 💬 Harvard Business School Online discusses effective communication in accounting stating, “Effective communicators break down complex topics into easily understood language to relay important information to those with less experience.” It also stresses the importance of providing context and data storytelling.📚 Interpersonal soft skills will help you interact with others effectively. If you need to deliver essential information, putting accountant concepts in simple tones and being direct and to the point is essential. Strike a balance between a personal and professional manner, ensuring non-experts can still understand.👩‍💻  Source:  Harvard Business School Online 2. Set Targets🎯 Setting targets is a great habit for accountants to get into. These targets create a goal that will keep you on track and focused. Making a to-do list 📝 is a simple way to do this, and you can aim to complete them within your day. This will give you a sense of achievement and motivate you to aim for bigger targets in the future.🤩 According to statistics, “Writing goals down is already 42% more effective than keeping them stored in your head.” So, keep track of what you want to achieve and tick it off as you go.  Source: Dominican University in California 3. Maintain a Work-Life Balance⚖️ Successful accountants balance their work and personal life. The demands of the job are often intense, so making time for yourself is essential. Maintaining a good work-life balance is crucial for mental health and studies show that 94% of employees think work-life balance is important.👍 Set your precise work hours ⏰ to avoid doing extra work in your spare time. Furthermore, if you’re working from home, create a schedule that ensures you don’t exceed your work hours. This will help to avoid burnout and keep you feeling motivated and productive with your job. Source: Clockify 4. Stay Organized👍 Keeping organized is so important for success. Organization skills are crucial for an accountant to have, as they can heighten productivity at work. To stay organized, you could arrange your workspace so that it’s streamlined and straightforward.🖥 According to a study, 27% of people said they feel disorganized at work, and of those, 91 percent said they would be “more effective and efficient if their workspace was better organized.” A clean desk can do wonders for your mindset, as it fosters a healthy attitude and motivation 🧠. Having a smooth workflow and keeping your paperwork and files in order is essential. This means you can easily find information or documents when you need it.  5. Practice Time Management⏰ Accountants tend to juggle multiple deadlines and tasks at once, so good time management is essential. Create realistic targets for yourself, and aim to do the most important ones first. This will also help to alleviate stress. Try to focus on one task at a time, completing them as you go. By creating time to do essential duties, you can ensure you won’t fall behind. Source: Zippia  6. Practice Problem-Solving🤔 Having the ability to problem-solve on your feet is a great personality trait for an account to have. Good accountants prepare for problems, making a note of pain points that may arise in the future. Preparing for what could go wrong may help you avoid mistakes or potential issues. Successful accountants look at the bigger picture, approaching problems with analytical precision and tackling situations head-on.🧠 7. Foster Lasting Relationships with Clients🤝 If you want to keep your success long-term, foster your relationships with your clients. To build a level of trust and build solid and lasting relationships with clients, take the time to understand their unique goals and requirements🎯. A survey shows that “91% of consumers say they’re more likely to make a repeat purchase after a positive experience.” The accounting profession is all about dependable relationships with clients. Show your clients the effort you put into your work and how you can collaborate to achieve shared goals.👩🏾‍🤝‍👨🏽 8. Utilize Technology📱 In most cases, technology is there to help you. Accountants generally have a lot of information, projects, and data to store, and technology can help with that. By using effective accounting software, scheduling tools, storage apps, or project management devices, you can streamline your workflow.  Try out a few different software options and see what works best for you. Use technology to your advantage and let it help you stay on top of everything. According to a study, using online social tools in the workplace can “increase the productivity of knowledge workers by up to 25%.” Tommy has an effective employee messaging software to keep everyone in the loop and connected.🔗 Source: Content Formula 9. Pay Attention to Detail🔎 An excellent habit for successful accounts to have is to pay close attention to detail. By having a keen eye for detail, you can review intricate information like financial records or documents. Try to aim to ensure accuracy in all transactions, removing the risk of errors or discrepancies. To get into this habit, look over all the work you

In this day and age, all local businesses should have a Google Business Profile (GBP). Formerly known as Google My Business (GMB), this profile is key for your online marketing strategy. Essentially, it gives you a detailed business profile on Google, ensuring that your customers can find you. To learn more about the GBP and how to get one, keep reading this complete guide. What Is Google My Business? 🤔 A Google Business Profile lets you provide details of your business, including photos, location information, and more. It’s a key part of your online marketing strategy, increasing your visibility across Google services. Notably, the Google Business Profile is only available for businesses that have contact with customers. This includes local businesses like stores and restaurants, or those that meet with clients in other locations, such as electricians and consultants. How to Get Started With GMB on Google If you want to create a Google Business Profile, you’re in luck. It’s really easy; just follow these step-by-step instructions. 1. Create a Google Business Account First, create a Google account. Anyone can create an account, and they’re easy to use. Chances are that you already have a business account to use tools like Google Analytics; the same account lets you access GBP. If you don’t have one, go to accounts.google.com, and click ‘Create an account.’ Then, you’ll need to add your business. You can do this with a free Google account, but you’ll need to verify your business.  2. Manage Your Account Next, head to google.com/business. Click ‘Manage now’. In the Google My Business dashboard, you can view your business information and start setting up a listing for your company. 3. Seek Out Your Business Add your company by entering the name in the drop-down box. If your company is listed, you can click on it and add it automatically. Otherwise, click ‘Add your business to Google.’ The name you choose should be identical to the official company name. Do not be tempted to stuff in keywords, as this is against Google’s rules. After adding your name, add other information about your business, such as the category. With this information, it will be easy for nearby customers to perform a local search for your business, ensuring it’s easy for people to find you. 4. Add Your Location 📍 One of the major advantages of a GBP is appearing in Google Search and Maps. For this to work effectively, you’ll need to list your location. Google requires you to validate the location by placing a pin on Google Maps. 🗺 Make sure the address you provide is exact, or customers might end up confused. 86% of customers use Google Maps to locate a business, so providing correct information is essential. Source: LinkedIn If you do not have a physical location, but you serve customers by attending their homes or doing deliveries, you can add your service locations instead. 5. Include Your Contact Information When creating a business profile, it’s important to add your contact information. This allows customers to get in touch to ask questions, make reservations, and so on. You can provide a phone number, but you don’t have to. However, it’s advised to add a website, email, or other contact method. The methods you include will appear in your Google My Business listing, so customers can get in touch in just a few clicks. 6. Keep Up To Date Before you verify the business, you’ll be asked if you want to receive helpful advice and recommendations from Google. You don’t have to opt in, but you might find it useful. 7. Verify The Company Google requires you to select a verification technique to prove the company is running and that you own it. Typically, physical businesses will receive a postcard in the mail 📩. Service-based businesses will receive an email. Whichever method you choose, you will receive a 5-digit PIN from Google. Enter this through your Google dashboard under Verify or Verify Business. 8. Add Your Working Hours 🕐 Another crucial aspect of local SEO is adding your business hours so that potential customers know when they can come to see you or contact you. Make sure your hours are correct. If your operating hours change, make sure you update them so that they’re accurate, or you risk disappointing your customers. This includes for a temporary change. 9. Add Your Company’s Description Your customers also need a description of your company so that they can understand what you do. Google allows a maximum of 750 characters, so keep it short and sweet. You don’t need to include tons of information, just provide a brief description of your services. For example, a restaurant could write: “Cozy Italian restaurant specializing in small plates and local wines.” It’s concise, easy to understand, and to the point. 10. Insert Photographs 📸 Using photos can assist searchers in visualizing the business and give them a sense of the brand. Customers can upload their own photos to the site when leaving a review, but it’s a good idea to leave some more professional pictures on your profile, too. 11. Respond to Customers Google profiles allow you to accept messages from potential customers. This is a great way to engage your audience, answer questions, and increase sales. However, you should only use this feature if you’ll use it, because unresponsiveness creates a negative user experience. Speaking of which, it’s also recommended to respond to reviews and show customers that you care. Don’t be rude to negative commenters, and, instead, make an effort to address the feedback. 3 Advantages of GMB for Your Business If a customer searches for you on Google and you don’t have a business profile, you only have search results to rely on. And guess what? If someone looks for your business and can’t find it, they’re going to click on another result. That’s just one of the reasons why you should create a GBP: It helps you communicate with local customers to show

Are you having a hard time choosing the right pricing model for your MSP? You are not alone! Grand View Research has found that the global managed IT services market is expected to grow at an annual CAGR of 13.5% between 2023 and 2030. For reference, it’s already valued at USD $267.35 billion. 📈 Source: Grand View Research With a rise in remote work and an increased need for remote monitoring, it’s no wonder this is the case. MSPs are more essential than ever, but competition is hot. To help you choose the right MSP pricing model, here are the things that you should consider. We’ve also specified the different models that you can offer to your clients. Read below to learn more! Common Managed Services Pricing Models (MSPs) MSPs come in different shapes and sizes. The most popular pricing models are broken down into the following categories. 1. All-You-Can-Eat 🍔 If you want to offer a comprehensive and flexible model, then consider this one. It’s like booking an all-inclusive vacation, where the client pays upfront and then browses the buffet to their heart’s content. One flat monthly rate covers on-site support, remote support, and lab or bench time. You may also charge for 24/7 services or only for certain hours during the day. Many clients like this model because they can estimate their expenses, and there won’t be any billing fluctuations. 2. Tiered 🪜 The tiered model offers different service packages that businesses can choose from depending on their budget and needs. The number of pricing tiers and what each one offers varies depending on the MSP. Generally, as the package’s price increases, the number of services increases as well. Clients can upgrade or downgrade their tier when they want to, giving them flexibility over their payments. Examples of packages are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. 3. Per Device 🧑‍💻 This is a well-known and straightforward pricing model where customers are charged a flat monthly rate per supported device. Many MSPs favor this model because it’s easy for clients to understand, so it’s something you’ll see frequently. Device pricing models charge for the number of the devices or the type of device, depending on the provider. This method can be complicated, though, because many companies allow employees to bring their own devices to work, or work from home. As a result, it’s hard to charge the right price. 4. Per User 👤 This is similar to the previous model, but the clients pay a monthly rate per user instead. It is simple to understand and adjust. It is also beneficial for companies that use many devices. Companies that use the user pricing model charge their clients a flat fee for each month. The user-per-month system makes it easy to understand how much money you will spend, making budgeting a breeze. 5. Monitoring-Only 👀 If your organization is on a low budget, consider this option. In this model, the MSP only handles the monitoring and alerting services for the customer. When your MSP detects an issue, you alert the internal IT team, who will take care of it. However, you can provide extra assistance for an additional fee when needed. 6. Value-Based Value-based pricing is also known as “cake” pricing because it includes the whole cake and not the individual ingredients. MSPs who offer this model provide all the IT services their clients need and serve as the outsourced IT department. They handle the clients’ pain points, latent needs, and tentative risks. 7. A La Carte 📝 This model is advantageous for clients but not for MSPs. In this model, businesses can choose the services that they need to fit a tailored plan for their organization. However, it restricts the profitability of MSPs and can consume their time in explaining their services. Factors to Consider When Choosing MSPs It can be tough to choose the right MSP based on pricing. Before you choose a strategy, think about these factors first: 1. Cost There are various expenses to consider when you are planning your pricing strategy. 💸 Here are some of them: Monthly expenses to run a business or fixed costs Expenses in delivering services or direct costs Labor expenses Cost of time Other potential costs  Profit margins By identifying these expenses, you won’t lose cash when you’re charging your clients. And you can maintain and grow your business. 2. Scalability As your business grows, you should apply standardization to your pricing model. It prevents stagnated growth, shortens sales cycles, and makes selling simpler and repeatable. When scaling your MSP business, it’s important to understand future trends in the industry. For example, in Q3 of 2020, the number of malware attacks increased by 128%. Cyber-security is becoming a critical threat, and this is a job for MSPs to handle. Consider the prices you need to set to scale effectively while handling these issues. Source: Security Magazine 3. Technology Technology is continuously changing, and you have to keep up with those changes. New tech can affect the pricing and service levels that you offer. For example, do you offer remote support, on-site support, or a combination of the two? With both, you can charge more. By knowing the technological landscape, which includes the costs, benefits, and drawbacks, you can set the appropriate strategy for your MSP. 4. Client Base Your pricing will also depend on the type of clients that you have. This is because the required scope and depth of services will differ per vertical. The associated costs per niche vary as well. Research your target industry in depth to hit the right price points. 5. Competition Make sure to check your competitors’ pricing to have an idea of how to price your services. As a small MSP, charge competitively based on prices in your niche. However, if you can provide more value, you can increase your prices without the risk of getting replaced. It’s a delicate balance, but one that’s worth mastering. Setting the Right Price for Your MSP

How do you find the correct people for the appropriate position at the right time? It may sound simple, but it’s more complicated than people think. All of those factors play a crucial role in a company’s success, so it’s important to get them right. To make the correct decision, workforce management should be done. And we’ll help you do that. Read below to learn more. Why Do You Need To Find The Right People? It is important to choose the correct people because they will determine if the project will be successful or not. That’s why you should hire people that are qualified for the position. Look into the employee’s history, skills, training, and certifications to determine who they are. If you know all of this information, you’ll surely choose the right people and finish projects the best way possible. Why Do You Need To Pick The Right Place? Location is a significant factor too. If most of your employees live nearby the location, it is a great chance that they will arrive to work on time. In this way, you’ll finish more tasks than expected. Why Do You Need To Consider The Right Time? Schedules and deadlines affect many things. When the tasks are finished early, or on time, employee success and customer satisfaction may increase. So, to keep track of assignments and staff availability, it will be helpful to use time and attendance systems, such as Tommy Stages: To be sure that you have the right people in the right place at the right time, you should have information and insight. It can be categorized into four stages: 1. Data This gives the core elements of understanding the people. It includes demographic information, number of staff, labor turnover, and others. 2. Information This stage is when raw data is analyzed. Examples of these are: Levels of productivity in the workforce Bench strength for talent Rewards that stack up against the competition 3. Intelligence The information from the second stage will then be used to make the organization more effective. It includes the optimum solutions for the new talent demand, the design for international expansion (if possible), and implications for organizational development. 4. Insight This is defined as the ‘accurate and deep intuitive comprehension.’ It requires the HR Department to offer knowledge about employees that will help the business differentiate itself. It also includes the consequences of company strategy for staff engagement and effective leadership in terms of cultural or organizational development. Conclusion When you find the right people, choose the right place, and consider the right time, then you’re setting yourself up for success. Hopefully, we helped you do that. Why Do You Need To Find The Right People? Why Do You Need To Pick The Right Place? Why Do You Need To Consider The Right Time? Stages

The Three-Legged Stool of Workforce Management Advantages of WFM