Susan Cook
When you're the only Intuit Solution Provider in your area, you tend to be in demand. That's the position Susan R. Cook finds herself in – and she wouldn't have it any other way. The CEO of Account Ability Consulting Inc. started her small business-consulting firm in 1987 in Nantucket.
Originally, Account Ability was a full-service bookkeeping, tax and payroll service firm. But today, mostly working as a freelance consultant, Susan has served more than 500 different companies, selling, supporting, implementing and training in QuickBooks and related software products.
And, yes, since 2009, she has been the only Cape and Islands Intuit Premier Reseller.
With more than 30 years of experience in small business accounting, Susan is a beacon for small businesses. She assists them with all of their accounting needs and specializes in accounting process consulting. Her clients value her experience and patient teaching skills.
Account Ability Consulting, an Intuit Premier Reseller, is certified to resell, implement and assist QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions, QuickBooks Point of Sale and many other third-party products.
What does it mean to you to be recognized out of more than 200,000 ProAdvisors in the world?
Because I’ve come to personally know and work with so many of the other nominees, I was truly honored to be considered alongside them.
Your first thoughts on getting news of the honor?
Totally happy. This is my fourth year. It’s nice to be recognized for all of your hard work.
How has your ProAdvisor practice changed or evolved over the last couple of years?
As a POS specialist, I learned and implemented a new online-based POS program (Revel) that had partnered with Intuit. I also weathered employee turnover, and that gave me the opportunity to re-focus my direction.
Why is continuing to enhance your skills and acumen critical to staying one step ahead of the curve?
Technology is rapidly moving forward and ever changing. I’m passionate about guiding my clients with accurate cutting-edge information, so I must keep learning.
What do you do?
I started Account Ability Consulting 30 years ago. For the first 14 years, I operated it as full-service bookkeeping, tax and payroll business with 100 clients, which I sold when I became a mother. Now a QuickBooks consultant and trainer, about 50 percent of my clients are POS retailers. The rest are shared equally amongst manufacturing, construction, non-profit and service businesses. I’ve been an Intuit Premier Reseller since 2009.
Give us a snapshot of today's accounting landscape.
I find that, even outside the Millennials, client expectations are automation, real-time data and mobile accessibility. One example is a client who is ready to give up his manually updated Excel spreadsheet that tracks his rental equipment and customer notes, saying, “I know there is an easier way to do this, please help me find the right one.”
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should. This has helped me be more deliberate in my choices.
What is the story that best describes how you help your clients?
A Boston CPA firm with whom I share several clients asked me to select, implement and train in the accounting software and work flow for a start-up organic wine import business with the owner primarily working in Italy but the sales reps and customers in Boston. The lovely young woman who started the business “hates accounting,” but she is now doing all her own bookkeeping and has learned such tricky tasks as recording inventory with landed costs, multi-currency, employee deductions and commission reporting.
She knows her way around the financial statements and knows she can call me for a quick remote support session whenever a new challenge arises. She is on her way to real success. I love entrepreneurs.
How do you create balance in your work and personal life?
A few years ago, I was feeling guilty about juggling my demanding inbox and meeting family needs. I was doing everything, but it seemed like it was never enough. I took a few steps back and asked myself what I really wanted and why I do what I do. I knew I wanted a purposeful life. So, I took charge of my schedule by blocking off my calendar every Wednesday morning for the volunteer work I cherish doing.
Technology is rapidly moving forward and ever changing. I’m passionate about guiding my clients with accurate cutting-edge information, so I must keep learning.
I also block off my calendar for fitness classes. It can be challenging when you have a home office, but I also shut down and walk away for a real dinnertime (usually made by my hubbie, who is a great cook.). I have two mid-week evenings dedicated to family time.
To manage potential client crises that may interrupt this important time, I’ve partnered with a colleague who backs me up whenever I need it and provides extended support hours. The business did not suffer at all from taming it back into place – instead it thrived.
What's on your to-do list thru the rest of 2017?
I’d like to partner with key ProAdvisors looking for an experienced, friendly and helpful Intuit Premier Reseller to assist them with software options for their clients.