[Question] Can I list bookkeeping/accounting as a skill?

[VirtualAssistant]

Hi Everyone,


I am in the process of starting my VA company and am working on a list of skills that I can offer and am looking for some opinions...I did all of the accounting for a non-profit entity that I worked for about 20 years ago. I did the receivables, payables, journal entries at month end, month-end bank account reconcilliation, and payroll with tax deposits. I assume that all of the basics are the same and would like to learn how to use quickbooks. I always enjoyed doing all of these tasks because there was no "gray area". It was straight-forward and there was only one answer when the task was completed. Can I list bookkeeping as a skill even though I haven't done it in such a long time? Any suggestions?


Thank you,


Jody
My Virtual Assistant Service

[VirtualAssistant]

And now that I think about it, I have been reviewing and verifying time on work in progress (WIP) reports and preparing invoices for the two large corporations that I worked for during the last five years. I know THAT is a skill that I can list for sure. WooHoo!!! ;0)

Jody

[shelly311]

I'm curious about the response you are going to get. I was thrown into my current position as an office manager & I handle all the bookkeeping. As far as quickbooks, it's a wonderful tool! I had no clue how to use quickbooks when I was put into my position. It is so user friendly, I won't use anything else. You can google quickbook tips & you tube offers a lot of tutorials. Best of luck & keep us updated as you go.

[leedrozak]

Jody,

You can list anything you have experience in. However, accounting and bookkeeping are two different skill sets. I would caution that you are financially responsible should you make errors while keeping others books. Often times small business owners just want a "record-keeper" and that is fine for most who have basic knowledge. But for those who want a full charge bookkeeper it is best to leave that to those with up-to-date knowledge and experience.

I am a full charge bookkeeper/accountant, however I sub out any bookkeeping work that I do get which is above and beyond organizing receipts, sending invoices. I keep up on IRS changes and rules because of my own business but leave the client work to those who devote to the profession full time. And I never so tax prep for anyone other than myself and family.

If this is a service you would like to add, I suggest you learn QB and also some of the online programs that are available. I use Freshbook for a client to set up his yearly recurring invoices and Outright to review books for a long term client who just wants to make sure she is booking expenses correctly.

[Office Goddess]

I agree with Lee. You really should have up-to-date skills before offering this service to others. I also recommend you take some QuickBooks classes as there is a lot more to the program than most people realize! Intuit (makers of QuickBooks) provides some training solutions here.

[VirtualAssistant]

Thank you for the suggestions and information. I don't think that I want to do more than recievables and payables....basically (as you said) record keeping. Simple and straight forward....and I don't think there would be legal responsibility there....is that right?

Thank you for any info you can or have provided...

Jody

[Office Goddess]

Thank you for the suggestions and information. I don't think that I want to do more than recievables and payables....basically (as you said) record keeping. Simple and straight forward....and I don't think there would be legal responsibility there....is that right?

Thank you for any info you can or have provided...

Jody

Yes, there IS still legal responsibility involved. If you were to pay the wrong amount, or late, or incorrectly apply a payment received, etc. there could be some legal repercussions. For instance, the wrong amount/late payment could cause a late fee to be charged, interest rates to increase, etc. And, an incorrectly applied payment could have the same net effect in reverse. Not to mention, receivables could you set up for potential theft charges if incorrectly handled (even if you didn't actually do anything wrong) or if you had access to your client's bank account/credit card accounts using their login/password and money 'disappeared' from their account (if using their login you couldn't prove it wasn't you)...