Tag: CPA

Deadlines: A Love/Hate Relationship

David G. Barbeito, CPA |

As we approach the April 17th tax deadline, all accountants across the U.S. are dealing with the “deadline blues”. I took a minute (or sixty) to procrastinate a bit and give some “deep” thought to my relationship with deadlines.

My History With Deadlines

I have known deadlines for over 30 years. I really did not pay much attention to them until I got to college where papers were due a certain day. This would give me all the time in the world to start the paper…….the day before it was due! Magically, that day, I would sit down and write ten pages of anything to make sure I met the deadline. Did these deadlines make me smarter? Probably not, but they helped me get the task at hand done.

When I started in public accounting, it seemed that there was a deadline every other week. Sales Taxes, Payroll Taxes, Tax Returns, Audits, etc etc. Wow! I won’t lie. It was a bit overwhelming and I really started to dislike them. They were taking over my life. I hated deadlines!

As I matured (if you know me, I know you laughed) and got more experienced, I started to see the “good” in deadlines. I realized that they were a necessary “evil” to my procrastination. Deadlines gave me a sense of urgency that made me a better producer. I loved deadlines!

Sometimes I wish I could love deadlines all the time. I can’t. They give stress, heartburn and make you angry, at times. But I also know that by April 17th (tax day), all tax returns that need to go out, will go out because of the deadline. And because of that, all accountants will be having some nice refreshments that night (or maybe the next day). We will then procrastinate for a bit until it is time for the next painful, but helpful, deadline.

Cheers!

Starting With Why?

David G. Barbeito, CPA |

Ever since I read the book Start with Why by Simon Sinek, I have tried to ask this question before taking on a new challenge or endeavor. As I write my first entry in this blog, I think it’s important that I share with you why I’m writing it. To do this, I will start by sharing a bit of my background.

Who Am I?

I have been practicing public accounting for over twenty years or half of my life. Not my adult life, but my entire life. Some people may think that is crazy.  The truth? I like it! I wouldn’t be doing it for this long if I didn’t. Opportunities to leave the industry have surfaced but after doing my first 5 years (about 10,000 hours), I was hooked!

As opposed to maybe other accountants, my passion for the profession is in the actual service. That relationship we are able to develop with our clients, in which they know they can count on us to reach their own personal and financial goals. What a rewarding feeling!

Why Write This?

So why am I writing this blog? To help more people achieve their personal and financial goals. I will be writing about different topics, mainly focusing on accounting and taxes. I will also be doing some book and travel posts because when I’m not working, hopefully I will be reading and traveling. I am currently reading The Service Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk. You have to admire Gary V’s energy and drive. Peru was our last destination. If  you have not been there, GO! Unfortunately, these months are not travel months for most CPAs. But May will soon be here and that will change.

For Us!

The idea of the blog is that when you read these posts, you will reach out with your own questions or maybe a different interpretation of what I have discussed in the entry. I’ve learned so much from questions I have received from my clients during my career. Please ask. If I don’t know the answer (which happens a lot, by the way), I will most likely know it by bed time.  You will too. The blog will be a tool in which I learn from you what’s happening in your industry. You will learn how to apply accounting and tax rules to those situations. If successful, we will all have learned something new….and what’s better than that?