Sights, Sounds, and Lessons from GrowCon 2024

At Universal Accounting Center, we live by the mantra “Your success is our success.” Part of our ongoing mission to empower accounting professionals is GrowCon, an annual conference for owners of bookkeeping, tax preparation, and CFO/advisory businesses. The yearly conference is an unmatched opportunity to learn from leaders in the industry, network with fellow accounting business owners, and dedicate time to actually working ON the business.

This year’s version of the conference was held on May 5 and 6 at the Southbank Hotel in beautiful Jacksonville, Florida. Attendees were enriched by presentations from some of the brightest minds in accounting, including Mark J. Kohler, Terrell Turner, Heather Hurst, and Universal Accounting Center President Roger Knecht.

Over 200 professionals joined in the event, both in person and via a first-time ever virtual simulcast of the presentations. The accounting business owners in attendance raved about the experience, from the lessons shared by presenters, to the gala event, to the VIP events before the conference officially began.

“There were so many times where it seemed like the speaker was giving advice directly to me,” one attendee said. “I am so excited to get home and get to work.”

Pre-Con VIP Experience

Part of what makes GrowCon special is the organizers’ special emphasis on making the experience enjoyable beyond the typical conference offerings.

“I’ve travelled all over for business conferences,” Knecht told the audience of attendees. “But oftentimes, all I’d get to see while traveling for these event was the airport and the hotel where it was being held. That’s why we like to give you the opportunity to do a little sight seeing while you travel for work.”

Many accounting business owners don’t get many opportunities to relax and let their hair down. That’s the goal of the Pre-Con V.I.P. Experience.

Attendees who sign up for the V.I.P. package arrive the weekend before the conference, and gather with members of Universal Accounting’s team for a weekend full of fun.

In Jacksonville, V.I.P.s enjoyed an airboat wildlife tour through the swamps, filled up on downhome southern barbeque, and ended the night with a special dinner and a show event.

“Pre-Con is definitely the way to go,” said Andrea Walker. “There’s so many unique opportunities to get to know people and enjoy yourself before the conference.”

Presentations from the Industry’s Best

The meat and potatoes of GrowCon is obviously the presentations from accounting experts. Jacksonville native and CEO of Growth Amplifiers, Kenny Harper, was the first to address the audience, and he gave a powerful presentation on how to authentically attract and enroll more clients.

“Small hinges open big doors,” Harper admonished the audience.

Highly respected founding and senior partner of KKOS Lawyers, Mark J. Kohler, shared a number of specific insights firm owners can use to save their clients money come tax season next. Kohler named 5 strategies that every accounting professional needs to know in order to “wow” their clients: using a “trifecta” framework with clients, capitalizing on S-corporations, real estate losses, using boards of directors and advisors, and self-directing real estate for retirement savings.

The strategies he shared were all practical and applicable without scores of legwork, both for accounting business owners and their clients.

David Safeer, founder of Cash is Clear Learning Systems, highlighted some of the common misconceptions that businesses fall into when they’re facing cash flow problems. Many of the common strategies the internet presents for improving cash flow actually make the problem worse, Safeer said.

Terrell Turner, founder of TL Turner Group, shared a powerful model for measuring and improving the performance of employees at the firm called “The Golden AGE Model.” Essentially, you grade employees on a three point scale: “Average,” “Good,” and “Excellent.” When everyone achieves at an “average” level, the company will reach its goals. Employees have a lot going on in their life that can affect performance. Turner’s model encourages the employees to not overextend themselves when real life come calling, and rewards them for excelling when the moment is right.

The conference featured a number of great insights on how to make the most of your business as an asset. Renowned financial literacy expert Adam Carroll outlined a model for growing wealth outside of your business called the Shred Method. This is a process of shifting habits outside of the business in order to view it as an asset that the owner will eventually sell. It’s also crucial to attack debt in a comprehensive way, Carroll said, in order to increase your own cash flow and allow you as a business owner to build wealth.

Attendees were also delighted with the stylings of productivity and technology expert Vanessa Vasquez. Vasquez shared a number of practical software and other resources for making an accounting firm more efficient, and encouraged the audience to embrace technological change in their business, including when it comes to automation.

Resources Designed to Take Your Firm to New Heights

A key element of GrowCon outside of the presentations themselves were the sponsors, who each offered valuable resources for the owners of bookkeeping, tax preparation and accounting businesses in attendance during lunch time, breaks, and other free periods.

In these pauses, attendees browsed the booths of the different sponsors. The professionals in attendance received a passport at the start of the event that they took with them to each of the booths, where the sponsor would give them a sticker for learning more about their services. If attendees collected stamps from all 13 sponsors, they were entered into an end-of-event raffle, with a range of fantastic prizes given out from the sponsors, including a Smart TV, a drone, a $200 Amazon gift card, and Apple Airpod headphones. Let’s take a moment to highlight our sponsors and the valuable resources they offered to attendees.

Anchor is an autonomous billing and collections service that makes proposals, invoices, and payments easy to manage. They presented a tech demo of their services on Day 2, showing off their powerful dashboard for tracking finances with clients. Their system allows accounting business owners to easily create a library of their accounting services to quickly make proposals, makes signs documents from any device easy, and harnesses the power of automated invoicing. Learn more about how to use Anchor here.

Nine Two Media makes the process of finding ideal leads for accounting, CFO, and tax firms easier using the power of LinkedIn. This company finds prospective leads on LinkedIn, calls them to book an initial consultation, reminds them of the meeting, and then passes the control over to the firm owner to meet with the client and send a proposal. James Donovan, founder of Nine Two Media, joined a panel of analysts who answered a plethora of questions from attendees, and shared valuable insights on how to leverage social media to generate leads. Learn more about how to sign up for their services here.

The CFO Project is a turnkey, foolproof system for CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers looking to add outsourced CFO services to their arsenal. Essentially, The CFO Project provides accounting business owners with training, certifications, and resources to carry out the responsibilities of a CFO with their clients. Their system includes a powerful “scoreboard” to use in tracking the performance of key metrics, as well as a model for client acquisition that guarantees you’ll get the leads you need to meet your goals. The company’s founders, Adam Lean and Jeff Prager, spoke at GrowCon 2023. Here’s a link to more information about The CFO Project, as well as how to sign up.

Mark J. Kohler is the founder of KKOS Lawyers and developer of the Main Street Tax Pro certification course. In addition to speaking at the conference, Kohler shared a number of actionable insights with attendees. He champions alternative investing models and out of the box tax solutions designed to save the small business owners of America as much as they can each tax season. His experience, bravado, and ingenuity shined brightly throughout the conference.

Directed IRA is an investment company co-founded by Kohler that allows business owner to self-direct the earnings they receive from their retirement Roth IRA plans. Kohler noted at the conference that most investment groups put retirement funds into the same types of investments, like the S&P 500 for example. But the truth is that anyone can invest their retirement into just about anything they want. Directed IRA gives people agency over how their money is invested and allows them to capitalize on overlooked markets and opportunities.

Alpha Accounting Services provides a number of solutions in the accounting space, including full service bookkeeping, tax preparation and more. But Alpha goes beyond providing services directly to businesses, their goal is to be a trusted outsourcing partner for entrepreneurs in all industries, and especially for accounting firm owners. This includes opportunities to outsource certain tasks to overseas accounting professionals connected to Alpha Accounting Services.

Alyssa J. Dillon is an expert marketing coach and business analyst with lived experience building an accounting firm from the ground up. Dillon has developed a comprehensive model for marketing accounting services, including strategies for leveraging social media, email outreach, blogs and webinars to generate new leads. She shares life-strategies that help accountants and advisory firm owners create wealth for themselves and make a giant impact in their communities, and shared great advice to the accounting firm owners in attendance at her booth.

BooXkeeping offers outsourced bookkeeping services that can eliminate the burden of tracking expenses and keeping financial records organized. The company also provides a model for starting an accounting business through franchising, which can be an attractive model for many bookkeepers and tax preparers. Learn more about BooXkeeping and how to sign up here.

Ignite Funding offers real estate investments backed by collateral – you are the bank, earning monthly income for the use of your investment dollars. Ignite provides an alternative investment option that matches quality real estate borrowers with investors seeking capital preservation in collateralized turn-key real estate investments, while earning a 10% to 12% annualized return.

Bookkeep is a software that allows you to automatically book and reconcile selling and payment platforms. It imports that data right into your accounting software, allowing you to complete accurate daily sales and payment summaries, and more. Bookkeep integrates over 60 ecommerce and point of sale platforms, making niche platforms and multichannel selling seamless to integrate into your bookkeeping software. Vice President of Marketing & Communications Alison Ball presented at the conference on how to build resiliency in the face of change.

CLOUDIT Automation & Accounting Services delivers a seamless process that integrates the best of automation and remote staffing to revolutionize back-office operations for accounting firms. By combining the precision of automation with the expertise of remote staffing, CLOUDIT empowers your accounting firm to operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and focus on growth.

Thank you to all of the wonderful sponsors who helped make the event a boon for small business accounting firm owners. A special thanks as well for the items they donated for the raffle at the end of the event. What a collection of resources for accounting professionals!

Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of the Accounting Industry at the GrowCon Gala

One of the most difficult parts of being a small business owner, regardless of industry, is the lack of recognition that comes for the hard work of running the business. That certainly rings true for accountants. No matter how hard a firm owner may work, they’re rarely, if ever, celebrated for the progress they led.

A major focus of GrowCon is filling that void of celebration with an Academy Awards style gala for the hard working firm owners who give so much time and effort to their business.

At the end of the first day’s presentations at GrowCon 2024, attendees gathered in the Ballroom of the Southbank hotel and were treated to dinner, live entertainment, and award presentations. Universal Accounting Center President Roger Knecht and Event Director, Christi Richards, handed out 28 awards in total to attendees for their performance at their business in 2023.

The awards range from the fastest completion of Universal Accounting online courses, to best logo, to most improved business. Congratulations to the award winners. For a full list of the award winners, click here.

Getting Ready for GrowCon 2025

GrowCon 2025 will be held in Provo, Utah, from May 5 to 7 at the Utah Valley Convention Center. Marriott Provo will be the host hotel for the event.

To learn more and register for this can’t miss event for owners of accounting businesses, follow this link.

The lineup of speakers will include experts in tax planning, business development, and client advisory services. Check out highlights from previous GrowCons for free here.

For more information on how you can start your own accounting business and be recognized at GrowCon 2025, call 435-344-2060, or schedule an appointment online to discuss your future when it’s convenient for you using this calendar:

Top Resources for Finding Part-Time Bookkeeping Jobs

Before diving into the resources, let’s first understand the appeal of part time jobs in bookkeeping. There are several reasons why individuals may choose to work part time in bookkeeping:

Flexibility: Part time bookkeeping jobs offer flexibility in terms of hours and location, making it a great option for those with other commitments or those who prefer to work remotely.
Work-life balance: Part time work allows for a better work-life balance, making it ideal for those who prioritize their personal life.
Supplemental income: For some, part time bookkeeping jobs can be a way to supplement their income or have a side hustle.
Entry-level opportunities: Part time bookkeeping jobs can also serve as entry-level opportunities for those looking to gain experience in the field.

The flexibility of part time bookkeeping jobs can be especially attractive to parents who need to juggle work with childcare, students who are trying to earn money while studying, or anyone who is pursuing their passion projects or hobbies. It also allows for the opportunity to work with multiple clients, which diversifies experience and builds a more robust resume.

Additionally, the part-time nature of these positions can provide a testing ground for those who are considering a full-time career in bookkeeping or accounting but wish to start on a smaller scale. It’s a way to get a feel for the industry without the full-time commitment.

Now that we’ve established the benefits of part time bookkeeping jobs, let’s explore the best resources to find them.

Best Resources for Finding Part Time Bookkeeping Jobs

Best Resources for Finding Bookkeeping Part Time Jobs

1. Online Job Boards

Online job boards, such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn, are great resources for finding part time bookkeeping jobs. These platforms allow you to search for jobs based on location, job title, and other filters, making it easier to find part time opportunities that suit your needs.

Pro Tip: Set up job alerts on these platforms to receive notifications when new part time bookkeeping jobs are posted.

In addition to the well-known job boards, there are also niche job boards and forums that cater specifically to finance professionals. Websites like Accountingfly and Remote.co often list remote and part-time positions that aren’t found on larger job boards, providing a valuable resource for those seeking specialized roles.

2. Freelance Websites

If you prefer to work remotely, freelance websites like Upwork and Fiverr are great options for finding part time remote bookkeeping jobs. These platforms allow you to create a profile, showcase your skills and experience, and apply for jobs posted by businesses and individuals.

Pro Tip: Take the time to create a professional and detailed profile to increase your chances of getting hired.

Freelancing websites can also offer the opportunity to work with international clients, broadening your exposure and experience. When using these platforms, be sure to highlight any expertise in specific bookkeeping software or industries, as clients often search for freelancers with specialized skills.

3. Company Websites

Some companies may not post their part time job openings on job boards, but rather on their own website. Take the time to research and visit the websites of companies you are interested in working for and check their career pages for part time job opportunities.

Pro Tip: Set up job alerts on company websites to receive notifications when new part time bookkeeping jobs are posted.

Another effective strategy is to look for companies that are known to support part-time and remote work. Many businesses are transitioning to more flexible staffing models, and targeting these companies can yield positive results. Don’t hesitate to send a speculative application even if they don’t have current openings listed.

4. Networking

Networking can be a powerful tool in finding part time bookkeeping jobs. Attend local networking events, join bookkeeping groups on social media, and connect with professionals in the industry. You never know when someone in your network might know of a part time job opportunity.

Pro Tip: Be proactive and reach out to your network to let them know you are looking for part time bookkeeping jobs.

Don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth in your local community as well. Engage with smallbu s iness owners, local chambers of commerce, and accounting firms in your area. By making a positive impression and expressing your interest in part-time work, you may find opportunities that aren’t advertised online.

5. Universal Accounting Center’s Job Placement Program

The Universal Accounting Center’sJob Placement Program offers graduates a wealth of resources and support to help them secure bookkeeping positions in small to mid-sized businesses. Certified professionals can take advantage of networking opportunities, job search assistance, and industry connections provided through the program. This comprehensive support system is designed to enhance employability and career success for graduates.

17-Part Job Placement Assistance Program

FOLLOW THIS TURNKEY PROCESS TO GET THE NEW JOB YOU WANT AND DESERVE

Quick Guide to Getting Hired for Part Time Bookkeeping Jobs

Now that we’ve covered the best resources for finding part timebookkeeping jobs, let’s go through a quick guide to help you get hired.

1. Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter

When applying for part time bookkeeping jobs, make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job and company you are applying to. Highlight relevant skills and experience and explain how you can add value to the company in a part time role.

Your resume should be concise and to the point, focusing on your bookkeeping qualifications and achievements. Use quantifiable metrics to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. For instance, mention how you improved financial reporting times by a certain percentage or how you managed a budget of a specific size.

2. Showcase Your Experience and Skills

As a bookkeeper, your experience and skills are your biggest selling points. Make sure to showcase them in your resume, cover heather, and during the interview process. Share specific examples of how you have successfully managed bookkeeping tasks and highlight any relevant certifications or software skills.

Moreover, in the evolving world of finance, it’s essential to stay current with the latest bookkeeping software and technologies. If you have experience with cloud-basedaccounting software or can offer insights into financial analytics, these are compelling selling points for potential employers.

3. Emphasize Your Flexibility and Reliability

Part time roles require a certain level of flexibility and reliability. Make sure to emphasize your willingness to work flexible hours and your ability to meet deadlines. This will show potential employers that you are a reliable and committed candidate.

It’s also important to communicate any additional availability, such as evenings or weekends if applicable. Demonstrating that you have a proactive approach to work and can manage time effectively will reassure employers of your suitability for a part-time position.

4. Prepare for Interviews

If you are invited for an interview, make sure to prepare beforehand. Research the company and its services, dress professionally, and practice answering common interview questions. This will help you make a good impression and increase your chances of getting hired.

Remember to prepare questions of your own to ask during the interview. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a better understanding of the company’s culture and expectations. It’s a two-way street, and you want to ensure the role is the right fit for you as well.

Universal Accounting Center’s Online Professional Bookkeeper Certification Program

The Professional Bookkeeper™ (PB) certification is a prestigious credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in accounting practices specifically tailored for small to mid-sized businesses. This certification highlights the accountant’s dedication to their profession and their ability to provide high-qualitybookkeeping and accounting services to employers or clients.

Your Strategic Accountant

Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it.

Why Pursue the Professional Bookkeeper Certification?

Whether you aim to specialize in bookkeeping for small to mid-sized businesses or seek credentials to advance your career, the Professional Bookkeeper Certification Program is an excellent choice toget certified. Here’s why:

Comprehensive Curriculum

The program covers a wide range of topics essential for proficient bookkeeping, including financial statement preparation, payroll, business taxes, and more. This ensures that graduates are well-equipped to handle the unique accounting needs of small to mid-sized businesses.

Industry-Relevant Skills

The curriculum is designed to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the field of small business bookkeeping and accounting. By focusing on real-world applications, the program prepares you to excel in your role and meet industry standards.

Career Advancement

Earning the PB certification can significantly enhance your career prospects. It serves as a testament to your skills and knowledge, making you a more attractive candidate for employers or clients seeking competent bookkeeping services.

Dedicated Support

Throughout the program, you will have access to experienced instructors and a wealth of resources to help you succeed. This support system ensures you have the guidance and tools needed to master the material and pass the certification exam.

Benefits of the Professional Bookkeeper Certification

Enhanced Credibility: The PB certification is recognized as a mark of excellence in bookkeeping, giving you an edge in the job market.
Increased Earning Potential: Certified professional bookkeepers often command higher salaries and better job opportunities.
Professional Development: Thebookkeeper certification demonstrates your commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth.
Networking Opportunities: Joining a community of certified professionals opens doors to valuable networking and career opportunities.

Meeting Industry Demands

The Professional Bookkeeper Certification Program is designed to address the increasing need for proficient bookkeeping professionals. As small to mid-sized businesses continue to grow, the demand for skilled bookkeepers who can manage their finances accurately and efficiently rises. By completing this program, you position yourself to meet these industry demands and thrive in your career.

Conclusion

Part time bookkeeping jobs offer many benefits, and with the right resources and strategies, you can find the perfect part time role for you. Utilize online job boards, freelance websites, networking, and company websites to find job opportunities, and tailor your resume, showcase your experience and skills, and emphasize your flexibility and reliability to increase your chances of getting hired. With determination and perseverance, you’ll land your dream part time bookkeeping job in no time. Good luck!

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