Author’s Note: As we continue the search for the 2021 Top 100 ProAdvisors and ProAdvisor of the Year, we want to take this opportunity to highlight our 2020 award winners. Learn more about Insightful Accountant’s Top 100 ProAdvisors Award Program here.
Gail Hilburn, President/Owner of Hilburn Solutions, Inc.
This week, we’ll be shining our spotlight on 2020 Top 100 ProAdvisor Gail Hilburn, President/Owner of Hilburn Solutions, Inc. Hilburn is from Atlanta, Georgia, and has been in the business for over 30 years. “When my first child was born, he was always sick. I needed to stay home with him, so I started accounting and bookkeeping services and then selling software.” She continued, “Over the years it was CYMA, AccPac, Great Plains and then QuickBooks. I always sold two software brands at a time and continued with the accounting and bookkeeping services.”
Hilburn’s average workday ranges from working with clients on QuickBooks tech support issues, to marketing, to everything in between. “I do monthly accounting, make time to study and take certification exams, research and learn about a certain area of QuickBooks that a new customer is requesting my advice on, sales calls, my own in-house accounting, admin, PPP loan and forgiveness applications and more.”
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult on many firms and their clients, Hilburn has managed to stay positive and looking toward the future. “[The pandemic] has been pretty devasting… clients going out of business or just can’t afford to pay their bills.” Hilburn shared with us. “Everything has just been in a holding pattern until 2021. It’s starting to seem a little more like normal.” Using tools like QuickBooks Online, GoToAssist Remote Desktop streaming program and Zoom, Hilburn has continued to push on, even in these difficult times.
In Hilburn’s free time, she enjoys competitive sheep herding with her four Border Collies, she even shared that she’s #1 in her division for this year! “I also enjoy hiking, kayaking, traveling, horseback riding, oil painting, any kind of art, and spending time with family and friends,” she told us. “I have a farm with horses, sheep, chickens, dogs, cats. It’s in the mountains of Northwest Georgia and very beautiful. I spend my lunch hours outside on the farm. Helps reduce stress and makes me relax!”
She continued telling us about her travel competitions, “When traveling to my herding competitions, I drive a 1-ton Crew Cab, 4-wheel drive Dually pulling a 36’ long toy hauler camper better than my boyfriend (he says). He is a raft guide on the Ocoee. I was a Cross Country horse jump judge at the water obstacle for the PanAmerican games, the last qualifier for the 1996 Olympics.” Talk about impressive!
Whether it’s QuickBooks support for her clients or traveling across the country in herding competitions, Gail Hilburn somehow manages to do it all! It’s no wonder why she’s a 2020 Top 100 ProAdvisor. We are very proud to have you in this program, Gail!