Welcome to the BookKeeping Express blog

We'll handle the books so you can get back to business.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Is it possible to find a recession-proof business concept?

We think so!

Bookkeeping Express works with the small business community and supplies a MUST DO service offering.

BookKeeping Express is a recession-proof concept targeting small to mid-size businesses in both local communities and larger cities. Today's successful business owners have more important things to do than bookkeeping. The time that business owners spend setting up books, tracking transactions, and gathering reports for tax, inventory, or payroll, can be offloaded to a certified bookkeeper. Business owners can then sell more, spend time with existing customers, and better manage employees in the time they save.


We offer the only national franchise model for outsourced bookkeeping. We are leading the industry by bringing 21st century modernization to bookkeeping and by providing a proven, turn-key business model perfectly suited for business professionals and entrepreneurs.


We aims to partner with entrepreneurs who are talented and driven and who have a passion for success. BookKeeping Express franchisees come from diverse backgrounds: corporate, finance industry, sales and marketing backgrounds, small business ownership, entrepreneurs and the information technology industry.


Bookkeeping industry experience is a plus for the business opportunity but is not required, and franchise candidates do not need to be a certified public accountant.

BookKeeping Express franchisees all share a commitment to hard work and sincere desire to grow and expand their business through excellent customer service.


You can reach us today at 703-766-5757.  

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

BKE Major Expansion into Canada

BookKeeping Express Gears up for Major Expansion into Canada
Certified Bookkeeping Service for Small to Mid-Size Businesses
Kicks Off Canadian Expansion through Licensing

04.26.2010 – THUNDER BAY, Ontario – Established U.S. bookkeeping franchisor, BookKeeping Express (BKE), the first franchise of its kind focused solely on certified bookkeeping services, announced today that it will be expanding their licensing program throughout Canada.

Looking to build on the success of BKE’s current licensee in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Greg Jones, the company’s CEO, has developed an aggressive growth plan to expand the business across Canada. Norm Eady, the Thunder Bay licensee, opened his BKE office nearly a decade ago.


“As the demand for bookkeeping and accounting services continues to soar throughout North America, the potential for success as a BookKeeping Express licensee has never been better,” said Jones. “We’ve cemented BookKeeping Express as the leading certified bookkeeping concept. It offers tremendous opportunities for Canadian entrepreneurs and existing accounting practices.”


Extending the brand’s footprint in North America beyond the 120-plus U.S. territories it is covering with its services, the licensing opportunity provides a proven investment for entrepreneurs seeking to enter the steady and resilient industry or for accounting firms looking to expand their current offerings.

Based on the success of its current U.S. operations, which includes launching its franchising program in 2008 and growing the business to 20 franchise offices and two corporate locations in 12 states, BKE’s growth plans call for developing 10 new territories in Canada by the end of 2010. Overall, company plans include developing more than 50 territories throughout the country by the end of 2010, projecting to corner the bookkeeping services niche in Canada.

“BookKeeping Express offers a wonderful convenience for small and mid-size business owners who often put off keeping track of their books,” said Eady. “The impact of failing to keep books current can be devastating on small businesses, as it exposes them to theft, fraud and increased expenses come tax season.”

For companies that are not equipped or do not wish to handle accounting responsibilities themselves, BKE offers accounting services such as setting up charts of accounts and general ledgers, monthly data entry, processing and managing accounts payable and accounts receivable, producing monthly reports and tax reporting. Plus, BKE utilizes a Custom Flex Pricing Model that is based on the clients’ needs instead of a one fits all, hourly billing approach.

As part of the BKE license model, all offices will offer the BKE Connect system, which allows businesses access to all bookkeeping files remotely through an outside server, as well as a dashboard that clearly and visually ‘sums’ up the business’ operations for thorough analysis. Plus, small to mid-sized business owners can synchronize their QuickBooks and enjoy convenient, anytime access to their financial documents through BKE EDocs, a new electronic filing system designed to provide secure, online storage of financial documents.


Read the full press release here.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Tar Heel State Entrepreneur Making it Big with BookKeeping Express

Tar Heel State Entrepreneur Making it Big with BookKeeping Express

April 17, 2010 - GREENVILLE, N.C – BookKeeping Express, (BKE), the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, announced today its 2010 expansion plans for North Carolina. Focusing growth during the balance of the year in the Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham markets, BKE’s plans include opening up to 25 new offices in total in the regions starting as soon as early-summer and continuing throughout late-2010 and beyond.



“The small business community is growing across the state, especially in Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, and BookKeeping Express is expanding with it,” said Brent Early, Area Developer for BookKeeping Express. “We know businesses flail when they don’t stay on top of their books, and have seen it happen all too often in the Tar Heel state. Our Greenville office has been received extremely well, with local small business owners responding with a huge feeling of relief once they get familiar with our distinctive set of services.”

Successful Greenville businessman Joe Lee, the owner of Greenville’s BookKeeping Express, opened his office in mid-2009. Serving Pitt, Beaufort, Edgecombe, Nash and Wilson counties, Lee has carved his business’ niche in the market as the professionals to turn to for sound financial guidance. Already working with local businesses in the automotive and printing industries, Lee has positioned North Carolina’s first BKE office as a trusted consultant and advisor, filling the much needed chief financial officer role for several clients.

“Watching my clients’ faces light up when they see the difference I can make to their bottom lines has been truly rewarding for me as I’ve gotten my business going,” said Lee, who has more than 25 years of management and professional accounting experience. “Taking on a consultant role provides my clients with great value. They’re receiving more than our outstanding bookkeeping and accounting services, and that’s the value-add that is making a big difference for my business.”


A fit for transitioning corporate professionals and entrepreneurs eager to take a new career path, BookKeeping Express offers a prime opportunity to grow a business with the support of a proven business model, ongoing marketing support and continuous investment in technology.

Lee transitioned into franchise ownership with BookKeeping Express following several years in executive level positions at manufacturing companies. Immediately preceding his agreement with BookKeeping Express, Lee served as Plant Controller for eight years at NACCO Materials Handling Group’s Greenville Plant.

“Throughout my professional career I have always felt that the small business community was underserved when it came to professional bookkeeping services,” added Lee. “We have a great opportunity to bring this service offering to the rest of the state and fill a niche that remains untapped.”


The expansion throughout North Carolina’s Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham markets is part of the company’s aggressive national development plans which call for more than 400 new territories, initially targeting growth throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Read the full press release here.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

BookKeeping Express Expansion Into Cumberland County


BookKeeping Express Unveils Major Expansion Plan Into Cumberland County!!

Nation's Only Franchise Focused Solely on Certified Bookkeeping Services Continues Strategic Expansion into New U.S. MarketsRead the full press release here.!

(Tuesday, April 06, 2010) - BookKeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on certified bookkeeping services, has announced plans to expand across Cumberland County through local franchise ownership.


"The small business community is growing throughout Cumberland County and around the country, and BookKeeping Express is expanding with it, providing qualified franchise investors with a niche franchise option that caters to this growing segment," said Greg Jones, CEO of BookKeeping Express. "We are looking to grow with franchisees who are experienced professionals and sincere about their desire to fill a void in their communities with our distinctive accounting services."


With more than 3,100 small businesses in Cumberland County, BookKeeping Express is looking to fulfill the void in the small to mid-size business (SMB) community for companies that are not equipped or do not wish to handle accounting responsibilities. BookKeeping Express offers accounting services such as setting up charts of accounts and general ledgers, monthly data entry, processing and managing accounts payable and accounts receivable, producing monthly reports and tax reporting. Plus, BookKeeping Express utilizes a Custom Flex Pricing Model that is based on the clients' needs instead of a one fits all, hourly billing approach.


As part of the BookKeeping Express franchise model, all offices will offer the BKE Connect system, which allows businesses access to all bookkeeping files remotely through an outside server, as well as a dashboard that clearly and visually ‘sums' up the business' operations for thorough analysis. Plus, small to mid-sized business owners can synchronize their QuickBooks and enjoy convenient, anytime access to their financial documents through BKE EDocs, a new electronic filing system designed to provide secure, online storage of financial documents.


"Highly qualified franchise investors want to join a system which supports our efforts in all facets of the business," said Nancy Fierro, the owner of BookKeeping Express in Austin, TX, which opened in 2009. "BookKeeping Express goes to great lengths to train and provide mentorship."

Since launching its franchising program in 2008, BookKeeping Express has signed development agreements and opened offices with entrepreneurs in 12 states and across more than 129 territories. Currently, there are 20 BookKeeping Express franchise offices open and two corporate locations, one in McLean, Va., and another in Baltimore, Md. The company's aggressive U.S. franchise development plans call for more than 400 new territories.


With a collection of franchisees that come from diverse backgrounds, including corporate executives, CPAs, banking executives, and entrepreneurship, BookKeeping Express' owners share a common goal to provide accounting relief to business owners so they can focus on growing their business.

"Getting into franchising is a viable option for those leaving or forced out of the corporate world," said Jones, himself a serial entrepreneur with several business successes under his belt in the telecommunications and restaurant industries. "Most of the franchise investors we meet with are seeking to fulfill their entrepreneurial spirit but don't want to do it alone."


BookKeeping Express is an affordable franchise opportunity tailored for today's transitioning professional. Two options available to BookKeeping Express investors include Master or Area Development territories that can be operated out of home-based or commercial space locations; per territory start-up fees run under $50,000.


For information on franchise opportunities, please contact Greg Jones at (703) 766-5757 or gjones@bookkeepingexpress.com.




Tuesday, April 6, 2010

CEO explains why franchises are the way to go...

BookKeeping Express CEO Greg Jones was on Washington DC's NewsChannel 8 last night, explaining "why franchises are the way to go."  Check out the video, below:





(You can view NewsChannel 8's video on demand site here.)

Jackie Helton Discusses Business Tax Deductions

BKE's Jackie Helton's article on business tax deductions in Tallhassee.com Business Matters

If you’re a small business owner, making sure all your business expenses are included on your tax return is of paramount importance. All too often, however, entrepreneurs forget to take deductions for everyday costs that could add up when tax returns are due.

The first and most important tip is to maintain a complete and accurate set of books, as well as adequate documentation. Keep your receipts! Without proper documentation, the IRS may disallow your expense. Good recordkeeping goes a long way toward ensuring that nothing is missed.

Here are a few items that are deductible, but are sometimes overlooked.
Get all the tips and read the full article at Tallahassee.com, here.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

The BKE DC area franchise is sponsoring a FREE WEBINAR!

The BookKeeping Express DC area franchise is sponsoring a FREE WEBINAR...
 
Bookkeeping Nightmares
Wednesday April 7, 2010
Time: 12-12:45pm EST

**NO CHARGE**
 
Contact Lauren for more information