Accountants: the backbone of the business world

(When you think about the backbone of a business, it's not the owner, CEO or board of directors who keep everything trucking along. Instead, it's the accountant who leads the finances of small and larger companies into the future.

"Accounting has always been a crucial part of running a business. You simply can't run an efficient or profitable company if you aren't keeping an eye on your books," says Debbie Nelson, business accounting instructor at Everest Institute in Kalamazoo, Mich.

The old days of accountants running around in brown suits, pocket protectors and gnawed-off pencils are long gone. Today's accounting professionals are completely digitized, allowing them to concentrate their job more on financially strengthening a business, rather than only handling paychecks and invoices.

"The role of an accountant is being transformed from simply helping a business run to helping a business envision its future," Nelson says.

* Estimating and evaluating risk management

"Businesses need accountants to identify and manage risk. They are increasingly part of the team that helps a CEO decide which investments are worth the risk," says Nelson. "In fact, a degree in accounting has always been a great way to get into the business world."

* Globalization

Globalization is another factor changing the accounting field. "Due to the growth of international trade and business, companies are increasingly looking for accountants who have a good understanding of international business, who speak a foreign language or who are available to work overseas," says Nelson.

* Fair value accounting

Fair value accounting recognizes the current worth of assets, instead of the cost of acquiring them. It seems like a simple premise, but it is actually challenging the very foundations of traditional accounting. Fair value accounting is helping CEOs re-evaluate the current worth of their companies and better assess where they can afford to invest.

* Forensic accounting

Recent media attention from corporate accounting scandals has also increased the demand for accountants with experience in fraud detection, making forensic accounting degrees in high demand. "In the past, businesses waited until an ethics breach was suspected before investigating, but today, many companies are realizing they can't afford to wait," says Nelson. "They are bringing in forensic accounting specialists to tighten procedures and prevent fraud before it happens."

Nelson explains the need for accounting schools to adapt to these changes. "In our accounting courses at Everest Institute, we realize that if we really want to prepare our graduates to be the next wave of accountants, then we have to stay abreast of recent developments in the accounting field."

Nelson says that even if students aren't interested in a specific kind of accounting, they are interested in the job security. "At the very least, our students know they will be in high demand upon graduating. For some students, that's all they need to know."

To learn more about degrees in accounting, visit www.everest.edu.

Courtesy of BPT

Taking the intimidation out of DIY bathroom renovation

(BPT) - When it comes to home improvement, Americans have embraced doing it themselves - in a big way. Among homeowners who plan to make improvements, 64 percent say they will do it themselves, according to American Express' Consumer Spending and Saving Report. Yet one area of home improvement continues to give even adventurous and confident DIYers pause - bathroom renovation.



"Many people who don't think twice about installing flooring or cabinetry or even tiling on their own, still feel they need a professional to upgrade their bathrooms," says Gray Uhl, director of design for American Standard. "However, with the availability of easy-to-install products, like no-tools toilets and Speed Connect faucets, bathroom upgrades are well within the abilities of most do-it-yourselfers."



Upgrading or adding a bathroom continues to be a winning home improvement for owners, whether they intend to sell or stay in their homes. A mid-range bathroom remodel recoups more than 65 percent of its cost at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report. An upscale bathroom renovation returns more than 58 percent.



If you're considering remodeling a bathroom, here are quick, easy ways to spruce up your bathroom yourself, and still end up with professional quality results:



Start small: the power of bath accessories



When you think of bathroom accessories, towels and toothbrush holders likely come to mind. But anything that enhances the look of your bathroom decor can function as an accessory. Simple moves like swapping out dated cabinet hardware (or adding it where there was none) can help transform the look and feel of the bath.



Switching out a boring mirror with a beveled option can turn a functional background element into something eye-catching. Or, dress up an existing mirror by adding a frame. It's easy to find mirror framing kits online or in your favorite home improvement store.



Keep thinking creatively when it comes to accessories, and imagine what you could do in the shower area. If your shower is a tub/shower combination, replacing a standard straight curtain rod with a curved one not only creates an elegant appearance, it can give you more elbow room while you're using the shower.



If you have a shower stall with a door, consider swapping a plain glass door with a decorative one. Home improvement stores often carry a variety of designer options that are frosted or have a pattern. A new shower door can make an old shower look fresh and bold.



Style and function: replace toilet and bathroom faucet



The toilet, sink and faucet are essential elements that can be beautiful as well as functional. Replacing dated, inefficient models with newer options can give a bathroom a whole new look - and improve its usability. Easy-to-install products make updating these important bathroom fixtures simple and speedy.



Replacing a faucet can be a challenge when there are so many moving parts to contend with - not the least of which is the drain. Typical bathroom faucets can have as many as 14 parts to connect. American Standard's Quentin bathroom faucet collection features a Speed Connect pre-assembled drain that requires no special tools or plumber's putty.



Products like the American Standard Champion line of high efficiency toilets (HETs) blend powerful performance and water savings with easy installation. The WaterSense-certified Champion HETs use 20 percent less water than standard toilets without losing any flushing power. Available in tall height and elongated or round-front models, these toilets offer practical features like a slow-close seat that eliminates loud slams. Plus, their permanent EverClean antimicrobial finish inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface. Made for fast, easy installation by DIYers, Champion toilets that feature the EZ-Install kit include everything do-it-yourselfers need to install the toilet without the use of special tools or difficult bolt-cutting.



Added bonus: Buy a Champion and be a champion, joining a campaign by American Standard to raise awareness that almost half the world lacks a safe way to go to the bathroom. For every Champion toilet sold in the U.S. and Canada, American Standard will donate a hygienic latrine pan to a developing country to help raise the global standard of living through safe sanitation. Learn more at FlushForGood.com.



Courtesy of BPT

Killeen-area home sales increase in October - The Killeen Daily Herald: News

Killeen-area home sales increase in October - The Killeen Daily Herald: News

Home sales in the Greater Killeen-Fort Hood Area are up slightly from last month despite the number of new home starts for the year being down.

In October, 212 homes were sold in the coverage area of the Fort Hood Area Realtors Association, which extends from Nolanville to Lampasas and Gatesville to Florence.

The number is greater than last month’s 206 and October 2012’s 189 homes sold, stated a report from the association.

But the number of houses on the market also increased.

In October, 1,586 homes were on the market compared to last year’s 1,476 single-family residences.

There are about seven months worth of homes on the market if selling continues at the current rate, stated the report.

That means the greater Killeen-Fort Hood area favors the buyer and not the seller, said Jose Segarra, a spokesman for the association.

“We are still in a buyer’s market here (in Central Texas),” he said. “In our market we are holding steady.”

While there are more homes on the market, there are fewer homes being built, according to the report.

By October 2012, there were 895 homes built in the greater Killeen-Fort Hood area, year-to-date.

This year, 743 homes were built by October, a reduction of about 17 percent.

Segarra said the lower number isn’t cause for concern, but rather the market balancing itself out.

There was a lot of uncertainty in the market earlier this year, driven mostly by government furloughs and national concerns pertaining to the U.S. budget, he said.

Because of that uncertainty, the market slowed down.

As soldiers continue to come home from Afghanistan, the selling numbers probably will increase, Segarra said.

“I think we are going to see a much stronger first quarter,” he said. “I am very optimistic that we will do well this year.”

Contact Mason W. Canales at ​mcanales@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7474

Five questions to ask before hiring a real estate agent

(BPT) - Want to sell your property quickly? Looking for your dream house? Are you hoping to get the best deal possible during the complex process of buying or selling a home? With so much money - and often, emotion - at stake, going it alone is generally not the best way to reach your goals. The secret for getting exactly what you want: Work with a savvy real estate agent.



A qualified real estate agent will streamline the process, help you save money and serve as a liaison with your best interests in mind. But how do you find the right real estate agent? Hundreds or even thousands of real estate professionals may work in your area, but finding the best one for your unique situation doesn't have to be time-consuming.



Remember, you're hiring this individual for his or her expertise and services. Your agent will get a designated percentage of the sale of the house. Depending on negotiations, this cost may be covered by the seller, buyer or split by both. You want someone who will work hard for you, but also someone you are comfortable with because you may be spending a lot of time together.



To find the best real estate agent for you, ask these five critical questions:



1. How many buyers or sellers have you helped in the last year in the area?



An active agent is more likely to be up-to-date on the market, and local and state laws. Furthermore, active agents with experience in your neighborhood, or the neighborhood where you'd like to move, are better positioned to help you because they can provide unique insight that other less-knowledgeable agents cannot.



2. Do you have advanced training?



Any licensed real estate agent can help you buy or sell a home. But an agent who has advanced specialty training is better qualified to assist you. For example, an agent who is an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR), has enhanced training focusing specifically on buyers. An agent who is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) has special training to deal with short sales and foreclosures. RE/MAX agents on average have more certifications and extra training to better serve buyers and sellers.



3. What services do you offer?



While the majority of people shop for homes online first, having someone on your side through the search and sale process can save time and money. A buyer's agent should help you schedule showings, assist with negotiating the price of the new home, guide you through the paperwork, be there at the closing table, and provide insight through any contingencies during the process.



For sellers, an agent should help set the price of the home, based on a competitive market analysis (CMA). Ask the agent how he or she will market your home (websites, videos, direct mail). Also inquire about assistance with staging and hosting open houses. Then, when the offers come in, the agent can help you with the decision on which one to accept.



4. Who else will be working with me?



The person you hire should do most of the work, but you may work with a support team, too. Additional team members may include mortgage brokers, home inspectors or contractors. If you'd like more information about what it's like to work with an agent, don't be shy about asking for references. You'll get real insight into what it's like to work with that particular professional.



5. How often will I hear from you?



No matter if you're selling or buying, ask how often you'll hear from the agent and make sure that this aligns with your expectations. For buyers: Do you just want to hear when there's a new home that may interest you? Do you want regular check-in calls too? For sellers: Do you want to hear from your agent only after a buyer has toured your home, or do you want to be kept in the loop on a weekly basis?



Buying or selling a home is a complex process most people do only a few times in their lives. Hiring the right real estate agent from a reputable company like RE/MAX can give you an edge so you get the best deal possible while meeting all your goals.



You can learn more about the home buying and selling process and find an experienced agent in your neighborhood by visiting www.remax.com.



Courtesy of BPT

Managing residential income property: One simple bit of timing can make a world of difference

Having been born and raised in SoCal, doing business there for over three decades, many of the lessons learned in nearly a decade of working in other states have been informative - an understatement if ever there was one. I'll bet if you're invested in a midwestern state, the thought of a last quarter vacancy freezes you in your tracks, pun intended. A November vacancy in San Diego is irritating, even a tad worrisome, but it gets filled. Instead of happening in a couple days or weeks, it might be a month. That's an eternity around these parts. Yet that's relatively overnight compared to dealing with having to rent up a unit in chillier climates, especially when it's cold, wet, and holiday season. However, if escrow is closing on your latest acquisition in the winter, or you find yourself taking over units with leases rolling over then, what to do?



As usual - it's all about planning.



It varies a little from market to market for local reasons, but there's always a range of months when having leases roll over is preferred. Yeah, I know, Duh. Still, when closing on vacant units this time of year, or when taking over leases expiring now, it's easy enough to eliminate the problem. Simply give new tenants or tell existing tenants they have a choice. They can sign say, a six month lease, or an 18 month lease. Either way you've eliminated the problem. The lease(s) will be timed to expire within the prime leasing season. But what if you own a couple dozen doors or more, maybe a lot more?



Do what builders and developers have been doing forever. Understand your market's absorption rate. That is, the rate at which it can absorb vacant units - how many at a time? How many units can you or your management firm lease in 30 days? Is it a different figure just one neighborhood over? Maybe, maybe not. It's almost a matter of sanity maintenance, isn't it? Even if you're in a market in which everything rents overnight with a 3 X 5 card on the front yard tree, having to mess with 10 new vacancies simultaneously isn't any less of a pain. I know, because I've seen me do it.



Many members here talk about how they've learned to specialize in various markets for their long term investments. Using this method of staggering rollover times is, for most, a practical matter of self defense. By spreading out a bunch of leases over six months, you've created for yourself an orderly process in which you haven't antagonized the local absorption rate. This also aids tremendously, your ability to plan various work projects around vacant units. Getting work done in the winter in potentially extreme weather is to be avoided when possible. By ensuring your vacancies will pop up during the prime rental season, and during reasonably decent weather, you've gone a long way towards eliminating logistical pains in the rear, not to mention your bank account. Also (Captain Obvious alert!!), by scheduling any vacancies for the best renting season, you've also virtually guaranteed yourself a far greater slice of the tenant pie. You think you don't want dead of winter vacancies? Tenants aren't exactly out in droves, looking for their next place right after finishing their second piece of pumpkin pie.



Now's the perfect time to address this problem. Give your tenants notice that rollover time will mean a shorter or longer term lease. You'll quickly find out that for the most part, they'll be grateful for the change.



Author: Jeff Brown



Jeff's Website: http://www.bawldguy.com

Add economical living space with an outdoor room

(BPT) - Adding living space to your home can be an expensive prospect. However, creating an outdoor room is a budget-friendly option that gives you more square footage, as well as additional opportunities to enjoy the season. As an extension of the home, outdoor rooms with decks or pergolas can be personalized to truly bring indoor comforts outside for relaxation and entertaining.



Prepare your outdoor space



Before embarking on designing an outdoor room, start with a clean slate by making necessary repairs. Jason Ringling, director of marketing for Red Devil, says outdoor fix-ups are on the agenda because of the unusual weather the country has experienced, including wind and flood damage. Outdoor structures have particularly taken a beating, with damage to wood structures and cracked concrete.



"Homeowners can tackle these jobs with long-lasting quality adhesives and sealants," says Ringling. "There are new, environmentally friendly construction adhesives on the market, which can help repair damaged decks, concrete, outdoor furniture, play sets and more."



Stand up to Mother Nature



If you start with cellular PVC as a wood replacement, you can add longevity and low-maintenance to pergolas and other outdoor structures. Those that come in easy-to-assemble kits make it even easier to have a stylish extension to your home. According to the experts at Walpole Outdoors, to match your home's style, look for variations in pergola design such as straight or arched tops, and round or square columns in many sizes.



"For a true 'outdoor room' feeling, a retractable, weather-resistant fabric canopy can provide shade and shelter whenever the weather changes, so homeowners can always plan outdoor occasions with confidence," says Walpole president Lou Maglio.



Affordable, natural looks that endure



Decks are another easy way to extend living space and with new alternative materials, it's easy to save on maintenance without sacrificing style. One advancement in composite decking technology features a "cap" or protective outer layer that looks like real hardwood.



"Today's deck trends show that homeowners are looking for deck styles and colors that strongly resemble the earthy tones found in nature," says Carey Walley, vice president of marketing for TimberTech, a leading composite decking manufacturer. As an example, the company's new Earthwood Evolutions Terrain is an affordable hardwood-look composite that is durable, moisture-resistant and accepts concealed fasteners. Walley also notes that a new interactive Q&A forum called Straight Talk is a great place to investigate common deck topics and to ask any deck question that will be answered by experts.



De-clutter your deck space



When designing that special outdoor space, start by de-cluttering the deck. Look for the latest clever, space-saving solutions that help make the most of your deck space. One way to cut costs and improve the view is to use fewer posts, according to Mike Gori, director of product management, AZEK Building Products.



"We've engineered a durable railing system that spans 10 feet between posts, which requires fewer posts. This creates a less cluttered look, clearer views and substantial cost savings," he says. In addition, he suggests hide-away storage bins that make use of the space under the deck to store items like umbrellas and pool toys. "The lid is discreetly flush with the deck surface, eliminating those large plastic bins that obscure the view and take up valuable deck space."



With these tips, it's easy to find functional, beautiful and affordable options for making your outdoor space your very own.



Courtesy of BPT

Can internet marketing be a long term business?

Here is the honest truth: most people get into Internet Marketing because they are convinced it is an easy way to earn quick money. Their approach is to make a fast website, put up some advertising and a few affiliate links, then sit back and watch while they earn real cash. There are a large amount of individuals who do this and also earn lots of money on the internet. But what if you want more than some extra or even quick cash? Can Internet Marketing really be leveraged to produce a worthwhile and long term career?



The quick and dirty answer is that yes, you are able to make Internet Marketing your long term and sustainable career. You only need to take on the project properly. The procedures and programs you use to build something to earn fast money are not all that different than the methods and systems you will use to build long term profits. So what would you do if you need to develop a sustainable career on the internet?



It is very important that the first thing you do, in order to earn long term money online, is accept the fact that you are going to have to do real work. You will have to do actual and real work on a daily basis. You will have days when you feel fantastic about what you do and days when you wish you could find something else to take on. This means it's just about like every other occupation out there. If you want to produce lasting cash flow by working a lot right now and not at all later on then you are going to be in for a rude awakening. So be ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work.



There are a few ventures that lend themselves much better to a long term career than others. Affiliate marketing, to use one example, is a great job for someone who wants to earn money on a part time basis or to supplement your already existent income. Is it truly possible to earn a full time income in this manner? You could if you pick out only the right products and then work like crazy to promote them. A far better approach, nevertheless, is to create your own products or websites and then promote those. This gives you full control over the projects you take on and how you accomplish them. And you will end up more likely to stick with it in the long run. If you want to give a service on the web, this works much the same way. Writers, for example, need to create websites for themselves and create portfolios that they can point to as examples of their work.



Finally, perhaps the most significant thing that you need to recognize is that, when you want to build a long term and reliable income on the internet, you need to truly dedicate yourself to your task. You might have fun and feel rewarded by your efforts, but first you should tell yourself "yes, I really want to do this." Making a half-hearted effort is not about to get you anywhere.



by: Tanaka Ara



Article Source:

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/marketing/article_6729.shtml