Editor's Note: During this editorial series, we'll take an inside look at how some of today's accounting professionals are facing their Yetis. The series is a complement to Insightful Accountant's ongoing coverage of this year's "Scaling New Heights" conference, June 4-7, in Orlando, Fla.
When Caren Schwartz founded Time & Cents Consultants, she envisioned a firm that could help legal and other service professionals get the most out of their businesses.
Her vision paid off, and then some. Today, Schwartz helps the companies she serves select, install and get the most out of their practice management, billing, accounting, and other firm specific technologies. She helps them better manage their time, money and information through the practical and efficient use of their software.
An expert in billing, legal accounting and practice management systems, Caren is an Advanced Certified Pro Advisor for QuickBooks, and QuickBooks Online and a Certified Consultant for Timeslips by Sage, Sage 50 (formerly Peachtree), CosmoLex, Amicus Attorney, Amicus Premium Billing and Amicus Cloud, among many other professional accreditations.
And along with being the author of "QuickBooks for Law Firms," Caren also is a member of the Intuit Trainer and Writer Network and has created courses for Solo Practice University. In addition, she has been recognized as a "Top 100 Pro Advisor" for three years and was a "Top 10 for Niche Practice" in 2014.
Prior to establishing the company, Caren spent more than 14 years as an executive with IBM, accountable for marketing support, quality development and training, and multi-million dollar revenue planning.
Here are her thoughts on today's accounting landscape and what Yetis may lie in your future:
What are some of the biggest issues facing today's accounting professionals?
Keeping up with technology. There are so many choices and "it," in a global sense, is constantly changing with products changing, new products introduced and products exiting the market. There's even new markets being introduced.
What was your "Face the Yeti" moment?
I have had many "Face the Yeti" moments, but one was a few years ago when I realized that a group I was part of wasn't really what I needed. I made the decision to leave the group and I asked another if I could join. It was scary because I wasn’t sure I would be accepted, but I knew it was the right thing. In the end, I was accepted and it has really helped my business grow.
How did it change you?
The new group has help me expand my horizons, but also to recognize what I am good at and what I like to do. It has enabled me to focus. It also has helped me recognize my weaknesses and work to sort them out.
What advice can you offer for those who need to face their Yetis head on?
Go for it. If we don't challenge ourselves, we risk moving backward. You have more ability then you think you do.
Why is continuing to enhance your skills and acumen critical to staying one step ahead of those Yeti moments?
As things change, by enhancing our skills we are better prepared to cope with the change and move forward.
What goals have set for 2017?
Increase revenue and get better at delegating and staying calm.