What's New in QuickBooks 2013

This information is reprinted from http://accountants.intuit.com/accounting/quickbooks/for-clients/quickbooks-pro/

New Features Available in QuickBooks Pro 2013

Improved, Modern Navigation makes QuickBooks easier

• Get to the information faster and easier with a simplified, more intuitive navigation
• We took the best of QuickBooks design and modernized the look and feel, but all of your everyday tasks are still there. No relearning required
• Bigger fonts, taller row heights on forms and registers, and updated colors dramatically improves readability so clients can focus on task at hand
• New icon bar on the left of the screen gives easy access to open windows and most common tasks, such as viewing account balances and favorite reports
• Easier on the eye with all the same powerful tools and shortcuts still there — we didn't remove anything, just made it all easier to find and use

Ribbon layout instantly shows your options

• Save time with the new menu ribbon by getting instant access to the most commonly used functions on invoices, estimates, sales orders and other forms
• See all the actions available at a glance without searching through drop-down menus
• Actions are consistently placed and grouped so it's faster and easier to accomplish key tasks
• Easily hide the menu ribbon to stay focused on tasks
  
  
  
  
  Customer, Employee & Vendor Centers put more information at the fingertips
  
  
  

  • See more of what's important with expanded contact information fields in the Employee, Customer and Vendor Centers
  • Customize up to 8 contact fields to include more phone numbers, emails, web addresses and more
  • Include multiple notes for each contact to keep important info in one place
  • New tab functionality shows "transactions", "contacts", "to dos" and "notes" on the same page — no need to launch new windows
  
  Additional improvements you've been asking for that make managing your books easier than ever
  
  
• Reports: Add favorite, recent and memorized reports to the home page
• Print Bill: Print a bill to route for approval or file for record keeping
• Billable Time and Expense Preference: When entering time or expenses, you now have the option to control whether QuickBooks automatically bills for them. Separate controls for time and for expenses

Get apps with a few clicks

• Take advantage of apps that integrate with QuickBooks and let you do more
• Shop for apps right from QuickBooks (additional purchase may be required) — no need to visit multiple websites to learn more
• Streamlined app setup, install and free trials — it's now one stop shopping with fewer steps

--Rhonda H. Smith
Your QuickBooks Coach
www.yourquickbookscoach.com

Outstanding Receptionist

Today I am heading to Philadelphia. I will be facilitating, "How to Become an Outstanding Receptionist" in Atlantic City, Cherry Hill, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg.  This class always packs in the attendees. So what are the qualities of an outstanding receptionist?

1. An understanding on the role and duties of the receptionist.  This includes greeting the customers, answering the phone, being prepared for an emergencies, and a variety of other tasks including but not limited to; ordering office supplies, making travel arrangements, and distributing mail.
2. An outstanding receptionist has a creates a positive first impression because s/he knows this impacts the customer's perception of the organization, therefore s/he has a professional appearance by being appropriately dressed and having a neat and organized workspace and reception area.
3. An outstanding receptionist has good communication skills. S/he understands the importance of listening and asking good questions.
4. Good telephone skills are a vital quality. The outstanding receptionist has a voice that is alert and pleasant. When answering the phone, the caller immediately knows they have dialed the correct number. The receptionist uses the caller's name and is ready to take a message.
5. Since the receptionist is juggling many roles and priorities throughout the day, s/he has excellent time management skills. 

In the class we cover all these points in depth, plus I share a strategy for dealing with angry and upset people.

--Rhonda H. Smith
Your QuickBooks Coach
www.yourquickbookscoach.com

Coaching and Team Building

Today I am preparing for an on site training program, "Coaching Skills for Supervisors & Managers."  Some key points I will share are:

1. Coaching is not managing. Coaching is listening, asking good questions, and focuses on the employee's best interest.
2. Good coaches practice Stephen Covey's  "7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
3. The Coach's Credo states, "Everybody has greatness within them. As a coach, it is my privilege to assist individuals to unlock their greatness and to release it for their career success."
4. To be a good coach a manager must understand the company's mission, the department's mission, and his/her mission.
5. In order to effectively coach the employee must be trained and know what is expected.
6. A good coach develops a good team by evaluating strengths and weaknesses then assigning tasks and duties accordingly.
7. A good coach helps their team set SMART goals.

If you would like to know more about Coaching vs. Managing or if you are interested in training at your facility, please contact me, I would be happy to help!

--Rhonda H. Smith
Your QuickBooks Coach
www.yourquickbookscoach.com

USB Winner Announced

The winner of the Duracell USB Memory 4GB is entry number 15, Kibbyster!  Thank you to everyone who entered. Watch for more giveaways soon!

--Rhonda H. Smith
Your QuickBooks Coach
www.yourquickbookscoach.com

DURACELL 4GB USB Memory

 Enter to Win!

DURACELL 4GB USB Memory

Giveaway is open to residents of US and Canada, 18+. Giveaway starts on March 12, 2012 and ends on March 31, 2012 at midnight. The winning entry will be verified. Winner will be chosen by Random.org, and will have 48 hours to respond and confirm, or an alternate will be chosen.

Enter with comment below.

--Rhonda H. Smith
Your QuickBooks Coach
www.yourquickbookscoach.com

Deducting Home Office Expenses

Tax season is here and many are wondering what the rules are for home office deductions.

Here's what the IRS has to say about it...

Tax Tip 2011-53, March 16, 2011

Whether you are self-employed or an employee, if you use a portion of your home for business, you may be able to take a home office deduction. Here are six things the IRS wants you to know about the Home Office deduction.

1. Generally, in order to claim a business deduction for your home, you must use part of your home exclusively and regularly:
     as your principal place of business, or
     as a place to meet or deal with patients, clients or customers in the normal course of your business, or
    in any connection with your trade or business where the business portion of your home is a separate structure not attached to your home.

2. For certain storage use, rental use, or daycare-facility use, you are required to use the property regularly but not exclusively.

3. Generally, the amount you can deduct depends on the percentage of your home used for business. Your deduction for certain expenses will be limited if your gross income from your business is less than your total business expenses.

4. There are special rules for qualified daycare providers and for persons storing business inventory or product samples.

5. If you are self-employed, use Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home to figure your home office deduction and report those deductions on line 30 of Form 1040 Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business.

6. If you are an employee, additional rules apply for claiming the home office deduction. For example, the regular and exclusive business use must be for the convenience of your employer.

For more information see IRS Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home, available at http://www.IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

One more thing you need to know is that home-office expenses are deductible only to the extent of the business’s net income, therefore if you have no net income you cannot deduct your home office.

This article is not meant to offer tax advice or tax strategy. Consult with the IRS or your CPA when filing your tax return.

--Rhonda H. Smith
Your QuickBooks Coach
www.yourquickbookscoach.com

3 Ways to Get More Out of QuickBooks

Repetitive Transactions: QB can automatically record recurring transactions, such as making payments either electronically or printed, recurring bills, and even recurring depreciation. Click Crlt M to set up your recurring transactions.

Batch Invoices: Available starting with the 2011 versions. Click the Customers drop down menu, then Create Batch Invoices.

Loan Manager:  Set each company loan's individual terms, automatically calculate loan payments and record correct principle and interest. Click Banking drop down menu, then Loan Manager.

--Rhonda H. Smith
Your QuickBooks Coach
www.yourquickbookscoach.com