QUICKBOOKS          Nola Tolk, Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor (To submit a question simple click on the experts picture) Q.     I have a growing construction business. We use QuickBooks Pro but are finding that we are outgrowing it. We are not able to get the detail job costing reports that we would like to see on each job. What would you recommend? A.      I would recommend that you look into QuickBooks Premier Contractors Edition. QuickBooks has introduced many industry specific software, one of them is the QuickBooks Premier Contractors Edition. It is specifically designed for your industry and will give you better job costing reports and better decision making tools. Depending on how large your company is and how much income you have coming in, the next option for larger construction/contractor businesses is called Master Builder. It is also a put out by a company owned by Intuit. We have found it to be very helpful and detailed in its use. For a free trial version call Jill @ Stevens Pierce & Associates, CPAs 734-8662.

BUSINESS CONSULTING & LITIGATION SUPPORT Ruth S. Pierce, CPA CVA FCPA (To submit a question simple click on the experts picture) Q.     My firm is considering going paperless. Where do we start and what should we consider? A.     The process of going paperless can be very overwhelming. I would suggest starting a task team early on. Be sure the members are keenly aware of the current paper processes so they can help design an improved workflow for the paperless system. You could also hire an outside consultant that can guide you through the process from planning to purchasing software and equipment. You need to out-line your objectives and goals and develop a plan. Once your plan is in place, make it happen! Hold people accountable for their responsibilities, set and enforce your standards, policies, and procedures, and don’t allow mavericks to stray in their own directions. Firms all over the country have been successful in these initiatives, and you can be too!