Editor's Note: This is another installment in our ongoing series highlighting this year's Insightful Accountant's "2018 Top 100 ProAdvisors." Over the remainder of the year, we will introduce you to our winners, getting their insights on a wide range of topics, including what it is like to be a leader in their profession, how to stay on top and what the future holds.
This week, we will be profiling Leslie Hamm, one of our 2018 Top 100 ProAdvisors. Leslie is the owner/founder of Alpha Accounting. "We are a QuickBooks centric practice, we are also resellers for Intuit. We specialize in Enterprise clients with inventory, job costing or grant tracking. 85% of our clients are hosted and we love providing support, setting up training, data migration, bookkeeping and accountability reviews. We have a fabulous team – our first hire from 2000, still works with us, we have grown to 7 employees and I think this fits our team culture- we are a work family," Leslie said.
Tell us about how you got started in the business.
In 1996 I was working in private industry as an Accounting Manager and I had a boss that insightfully knew I was bored. He assigned me to read and report to him the book “What Color is your Parachute.” It soon became apparent to both of us I was only happy when I was solving puzzles or training new hires. At the very same time, a CPA friend asked if I knew anything about this software QuickBooks, I didn’t. I was using DacEasy to manage my husband’s side business at the time. I took the time to migrate my husband’s books to QuickBooks and showed my friend the results. He began referring clients to me- My cellphone (yes, we had them in 1996) rang off the hook. I knew we were on to something. My boss agreed to let me work part time as I began to grow this new business, we started out doing QuickBooks and IT- my husband and I. We both quit our jobs and went for it full-time by 1998.
What does it mean to you to be recognized out of more than 300,000 ProAdvisors in the world?
It is humbling – this is my third time getting this award. Every time I appreciate the distinction more and more.
Your first thoughts on getting news of the honor?
Grateful.
How has your ProAdvisor practice changed or evolved over the last couple of years?
We are more specialized and much more picky about who is our client. I have made major cuts to our client list several times over the past few years and I have learned every time we do it, it makes way for better, bigger and more interesting clients.
Give us a snapshot of today's accounting landscape. What are seeing out there?
Fast and loose, I am afraid I see too many clients coming to us from other professionals that are really not paying attention to the details, or the client’s needs and their end game. The tax return is not the only thing the client needs – and cash basis accounting does not satisfy the banks, investors or prospective buyers. I feel like many “accounting professionals” are not minding the store.
What was the biggest surprise you saw in the past YEAR?
The increase in automation without intelligence and an increase in resistance to doing the work because it is “too hard.”
What are three areas every accountant should keep an eye on next year?
Talent, Talent, Talent. There are some diamonds out there, but we must mine for them.
Name the biggest technological advancements you saw this year.
AI, which scares the crap out of me. It is all about the data- analyze junk and junk you will get.
What goals have set for this YEAR?
More process improvements for my team.
What advice would you give to today's accountants?
Look out for your client’s best interest.
Why is continuing to enhance your skills and acumen critical to staying one step ahead of the curve?
You have to be a life-long learner to stay relevant and well informed. Clients are assured when you know what they want and you can articulate their needs better than they can.
How do you create balance in your work and personal life?
I work too much – but when I do take a break, I enjoy my time with my husband of 42 years and my dozen grandchildren, the 2 kids are great too!
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
“You can do this” - Charlie Snyder, Intuit 2008 on becoming a reseller.
And a Special Thanks to our Sponsors: Canon, AbacusNext, Neat, Avalara, Landy Insurance, Intuit QuickBooks and Scaling New Heights.