Expert advice from Bernadette Johnson Hairl, President of By The Book Accounting…

As our lives progress and things change, our taxes tend to become more complicated. Now you own a home, have rental property or even a part-time business. Not to mention all the recent changes in the tax laws. Who can keep up?

Whether you file your taxes yourself or pay someone else to file them, you are ultimately responsible for what’s in your tax return. So choosing a tax preparer is a task that you should not take lightly.

Here are some tips that will help:

1. Be knowledgeable. Although you are not (nor do you desire to be) an accountant, you should have some degree of knowledge when it comes to taxes. If you don’t know, you need to find someone who does and can explain it to you.

2. Word of Mouth. When searching for an accountant you want to find someone who is reliable and trustworthy. Word of mouth is the best mode of advertising so ask for referrals from family, friends and co-workers whom you respect and trust.

3. Availability. Having an accountant who’s readily available to you is invaluable. When you have questions after tax season or the IRS sends you a “love” letter, you want someone who will be there to meet your needs.

4. Simplicity. It is a known fact that the U.S. Tax Code is written in a language that we don’t speak. You want an accountant who can “translate” the code into plain English.

5. Qualified. This goes without saying but I thought I’d say it anyway: choose someone who is qualified. Check out their educational background and experience. Be sure the person is current on all of the tax law changes and has experience in your area of need. Be leery of someone who claims to know it all. You know how the old adage goes, “Jack of all trades, and master of NONE!”

6. Guarantees. Listen carefully to the guarantees an accountant gives. If they guarantee you a refund without assessing your financial situation, you should run the other way. A true tax professional knows that you cannot give that type of guarantee without knowing your situation.

Choosing a tax preparer can be a difficult task but these tips can make it a lot easier.

©Copyright 2006, By The Book Accounting, INC. All Rights Reserved.

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People You Need to Know (PYNTK) proudly welcomes Mrs. Bernadette Johnson-Hairl to the Network!

Mrs. Johnson-Hairl, President of By The Book Accounting is an honors graduate of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. She completed her MBA at the Keller Graduate School of Management and is a certified QuickBooks training specialist as well as a part-time adjunct Accounting professor.

After more than 14 years in accounting, over 90 percent of Bernadette Johnson-Hairl’s new clients are referrals. Confident in selling herself and her services, she says…

”I have diverse analytical skills, proven business sense and an innate ability to maximize an organization’s performance. I’m a skilled facilitator, financial consultant, and a multifaceted resource for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and women in the workplace. But my clients really appreciate that I can explain the books in PLAIN ENGLISH! That plays an integral part in the operational success of my clients’ organizations.”

She goes on to say, “Many people think I’m strange because I like accounting so much. I’ve always loved numbers and have always been very analytical. Growing up, I’ve always struggled with the objective subjects. One thing I like about Accounting is there’s only one answer! Although, I have a creative flair, in my industry…creativity can send you to jail.”

Prior to launching By The Book Accounting, she worked for public and private organizations to increase profitability and financial accuracy. She has supervised large and small accounting departments and her extensive experience in managing payables and receivables, cost accounting, corporate and individual tax preparation, as well as fiscal management strategies is top-notch. One of her most notable accomplishments includes spearheading the restructuring of county government’s accounts payable department that resulted in the diversion of a potential 8.5 million dollar loss.

Mrs. Johnson-Hairl brands her accounting practice – and herself as a speaker - as being different. She confides, “Not only am I a good accountant, but I’m a good accountant with a personality and sense of humor. My colleagues tend to be so stiff and rigid that when I tell a joke, they don’t get it. Don’t get me wrong, I have square tendencies and my analytical side shines when it comes to business but…I have what I call ’rounded edges.’”

She loves building relationships with her clients so she can get to know them as an individual and as business owners. By making sure her clients are more than just a folder or a tax return, she can advise them year round on business and accounting practices that can improve their bottom line and their tax returns.

Next to accounting, Mrs. Johnson-Hairl loves speaking and holding workshops. She says, “Part of that ‘personality’ is that I’m a ham and always have been. When I get the attention of an audience, I am in business. Speaking engagements and workshops are my opportunity to distinguish myself from all the other accountants in the phone book. It also addresses a third passion, which is teaching. When I see that “AHA” on a person’s face it’s golden for me. When I held my first workshop in 2003, there were three people in attendance and two of those were relatives. But that one other person is still my client today.”

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WHAT I LOVE THE MOST ABOUT MY JOB - What I love most about my job is helping people. I find out where my clients are financially, where they need to go, and show them how to accomplish that through tax planning, whether it be real estate, retirement planning, or starting a business.

HOMETOWN - My hometown is not a town; I am from the country. When people ask me where I’m from, I tell them, well…we get our mail in Quitman, Louisiana. I went to school in Jonesboro, Louisiana, but I’m really from St. Rest and very proud of my community. Education is stressed, as it never crossed my mind that I would NOT go to college. We raised and grew our food. You had peas and bread one day and bread and peas the next day. If you killed a cow, you had steak and gravy; a hog, pork chops. You went to church every Sunday, for that was not an option.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST ABOUT ATLANTA - I love the weather after living in Chicago and you have the option of doing almost anything you want from sports, to the arts, dancing and the best churches. The diversity of people is great. If you can’t make it in Atlanta, you may not be trying hard enough because you can start a business and make as much money as you are willing to work or manage.

BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN - Go to school, get a good job and pay your bills on time and yes, PUT GOD FIRST.

THE MOUNTAINS, THE BEACH OR THE LAKE? - The beach is very relaxing, and usually somewhere around there is also good seafood.

FAVORITE OLD SCHOOL SONG - I’m a Motown lover, give me all the oldies, that to me is real music.

FAVORITE GEORGIA GETAWAY - I guess I would have to say Chateau Elan. However, I love to visit Hilton Head and San Destin is a newer version of that.

FAVORITE DESSERT - Praline Apple Pie…which I make myself. I love to cook desserts and the other one I cook all the time is Cream Cheese Pound Cake.

I AM MOST PROUD OF - My family, my grandparents, my parents, my aunt and uncles. Because of my family, I was directed in the right direction all the time.

I WISH I HAD KNOWN 20 YEARS AGO - I wish someone had sat me down and demonstrated how real estate and stocks helped you get financially free early.

WHAT MAKES ME LAUGH - My 6 year old grandson, who is so expressive in words and action.

The Osborne CPA Firm, PC - (770) 437-4037