Customer Reviews

Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation: Start and Build a Prosperous Bookkeeping, Tax, and Financial Services Business

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you have some basic bookkeeping and tax skills/interests, this book will show you how to put them to use for yourself in straightforward language. The author offers practical advice on all aspects of the business from employees to software to layouts for home businesses. This book is not a detailed book, but it wasn't meant to be. It is obviously designed to be the first book for any would-be entrepreneur interested in the bookkeeping and tax preparation field - and it accomplishes this in spades!

After reading the reviews for this book, I was anxious to start reading it right away. Unfortunately,I returned the book the same day I received it. I am in the process of starting a bookkeeping business out of my home and Mr. Lewis's book did not help at all. As I skimmed the book I quickly realized that he prefers tax accounting and a commercial office environment. If you are looking for an overview for setting up shop as a tax accountant, with employees, in an office this book will be perfect.
If you want particulars on starting a home based bookkeeping business keep looking.

Where I travel, this book travels (work, bed, bathroom, you get the idea). I've been running my own bookkeeping business for a year now, and this has just given me GREAT ideas on how to build it up even more! This book is a must!

I read this book but the author goes heavily into tax accounting rather than bookkeeping services. If you hate working with taxes and want to learning about starting a home based bookkeepping service for clients, and let their tax accountant do the taxes, don't buy this book. It's not helpful.

This book not only gives practical advice on how to start and run a business, but more importantly includes the ethical basis for decision-making. I wish more professionals understood the value and long-term advantage of honesty, compassion and competency. This book reads easily and impacts longterm.

The book may well apply for beginning many administrative type businesses, not just bookkeeping services. Extremely fundamental in presentation. It is not written for enlightened professional accountants wishing to expand their bookkeeping services.

This is an excellent book for anyone looking "to take the plunge" and establish their own tax and bookkeeping practice. The author gives great advice that is difficult to obtain from other established professionals. Mr. Lewis writes candidly on points such as how to fairly deal with problem clients and which clients to look for. There are also a couple good chapters about market research and the most practical ways to promote your tax business. Although technology has changed quite a bit since the book was written, you get a slight idea of the tools required of the profession. All in all an excellent book. Although most underlying principals haven't changed, I would love to see a second edition that discusses recent technology advances.

They do not cover most of this material in a university accounting class and this book should be a prerequisite for those looking to enter the profession. This book is a must read for the beginner and a nice reference for those of us whose practices are still in its infancy.

Highly recommended!! Well done Gordon!!

This book was somewhat useful, but emphasized taxes and a larger business (with office space) too much. It also seems dated.

Michelle L. Long, CPA, MBA
Author of: Successful QuickBooks Consulting: The Comprehensive Guide to Starting and Growing a QuickBooks Consulting Business
Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Member of Intuit's Certified Trainer Network