See Webinar announcement below
Quick Books Webinar: register here https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3856781481977174786
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Today's webinar will likely be a sell out, so register now and plan to attend today at noon EST. We are planning to record the Webinar. The recorded version should be available by 4 PM and you can call Erica Youngerman, Esq at 515 747 6700 x 308 or our Contract Administrator Eileen Wadga at 516 747 6700 x 312 for the link.
We did receive a few questions and they are addressed below. See you at the Webinar
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Ken,
Thank you for the opportunity to work with both you and your clients. Fi-Soft specializes in QuickBooks accounting software, training, and integrated solutions. We regularly encounter a variety of businesses and industries that have their own unique accounting needs so we’ve teamed up with SkyBank Financial to be able to deliver cost-effective solutions for the Alarm Industry. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers will interest those on your forum. Tom Aronica, CEO, SkyBank Financial
1. What’s the easiest way to keep my business finances organized?
We recommend QuickBooks accounting software. It’s used by millions of businesses for good reason. QuickBooks offers tremendous functionality at an affordable price. It’s also a solution that will grow with your business. As your business and accounting needs change, you can seamlessly upgrade to more powerful versions of QuickBooks.
2. How hard is QuickBooks to use?
As you might guess from the name, it’s a very user friendly program. Most businesses can be set up and using QuickBooks within a short amount of time. QuickBooks offers easy to use features such as a point and click home page, easy to use icons, workflow paths to show you what to do, and of course a variety of wizards and help features.
3. My business has very specific requirements when it comes to tracking my financial and customer information. Will QuickBooks work for my business?
In most cases, the answer is yes. Unless your business has unusually complex accounting needs, QuickBooks should work well for you. It’s an extremely flexible accounting software package that works really well for a wide range of business types.
For those businesses that have unique requirements, our firm has the ability to configure QuickBooks to better support your needs. We regularly help businesses with such things as integrating their business workflow into QuickBooks, creating custom forms and documents, and developing specialized reports for customer and financial data. We also have the ability to integrate third party solutions that add additional functionality to QuickBooks for your specific business needs.
4. I have repeat customers and need to process both one-time and recurring sales. Is there an easy way to do this?
Yes. This is actually one of the strengths of QuickBooks when used with our Merchant Edition payment processing software. Our software adds the ability to process individual and recurring payments directly within QuickBooks. Your accounting records are then automatically updated in real time. In addition to credit card transactions, our software also allows merchants to seamlessly integrate ACH transactions into QuickBooks. The best part? As part of your relationship with SkyBank Financial, you get access to this for FREE!
5. What kind of financial reports can I get?
With QuickBooks, there are a large number of standard reports available. However, QuickBooks has the ability to customize these reports or you can easily create your own unique reports. If for some reason you need a report that wasn’t readily available, our company can create custom reports for you.
6. I have staff that works outside the office that I need to dispatch, manage, and monitor. Can this be done and integrated into QuickBooks?
Yes. Because QuickBooks has such a large user base, there is a wide range of third party solutions that add functionality to QuickBooks. There are several solutions specifically designed for field dispatch and monitoring. If you are interested in implementing this type of solution, contact your SkyBank Financial sales representative who can assist you with this.
7. I work outside the office or keep unusual hours, but still need access to all my business records and financial data. Is there a way for me to access them?
Yes. Today, being able to access financial and business information anywhere at any time is quickly becoming a necessity. Our firm offers a complete solution to securely take your entire office into the cloud. You won’t have to worry about computer hardware, repairs, backups, or constantly patching your network security. Best of all, you can use your existing Windows based software and access it anywhere (via the internet), anytime, with most web capable devices (including IPads). You can even have individual desktops for each of your employees. This provides you with specific control of what applications or business information they have access to. If you are considering the benefits and cost savings of a cloud environment, feel free to contact us to for more details.
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Ken, if alarm company owners or office managers have any additional questions or would like more information about QuickBooks and integrated solutions, or if they wish to arrange a live demonstration of the Merchant Edition software, simply fill out their information by clicking here and one of our representatives will contact them to arrange a call.
https://www.skybankfinancial.com/kirschenbaum.php
We are looking forward to today's Webinar and I am sure your readers will find it valuable information. Alarm companies should also take advantage of SkyBank Financial's offer to provde free services and discounts to your readers. With your assistance we are servicing many alarm companies and constantly evolving our services to provide more value to the alarm industry. Alarm companies should contact https://www.skybankfinancial.com/kirschenbaum.php
Tom Aronica, CEO, SkyBank Financial
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More on ADT - Fire Marshal Issue
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Ken,
With regards to “alarm co complains about ADT and NJ Fire Marshal office”. The NJ Uniform Construction Code recognizes both 1) smoke alarm systems , i.e the 110V line voltage type typically installed by electricians OR 2) household fire alarm systems, i.e. the 12/24V low voltage type typically installed by alarm companies, to be utilized to meet the fire warning requirement for homes, also referred to as “Primary Fire”.
While the bulletin is informational in nature the adopted codes, which carry the weight of law, are as follows;
N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.21 – 2009 International Residential Code, New Jersey Edition (IRC/NJ)
ii. The IRC/2009 may be known and cited as the one-and two-family dwelling subcode.
(b) The provisions of this subcode shall apply to the construction, alteration, repair, or increase in size of detached one-or two-family dwellings, or single family townhouses, of Group R-5 not more than three stories in height. For this purpose, a townhouse shall be as defined in Section 202 of the International Residential Code: "A single-family dwelling unit constructed in a group of three or more attached units in which each unit extends from foundation to roof and with open space on at least two sides."
IRC/2009 NJ - Section R-314
SECTION R314 SMOKE ALARMS
R314.1 Smoke detection and notification. All smoke alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 217 and installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and the household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72.
R314.2 Smoke detection systems. Household fire alarm systems installed in accordance with NFPA 72 that include smoke alarms, or a combination of smoke detector and audible notification device installed as required by this section for smoke alarms, shall be permitted. The household fire alarm system shall provide the same level of smoke detection and alarm as required by this section for smoke alarms. Where a household fire warning system is installed using a combination of smoke detector and audible notification device(s), it shall become a permanent fixture of the occupancy and owned by the homeowner. The system shall be monitored by an approved supervising station and be maintained in accordance with NFPA72.
Unfortunately there always exists the possibility of misinterpretation of the adopted code. I would suggest that where applicants feel aggrieved to either file an appeal of a code officials determination, or in the case of professional conduct report same to the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and Standards, Office of Regulatory Affairs 609-984-7672.
Hope this helps,
John Drucker, CET
Assistant Construction Official
Fire Protection Subcode Official
Building/Fire/Electrical Inspector
Borough of Red Bank
Red Bank, New Jersey
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Ken
With regard to John from New Jersey and other reader commentary regarding ADT and other freebee companies. Let's try some reverse psychology. We have found such companies to be our best "salespeople".
Such companies spend money advertizing like the devil, creating public awareness that security is needed. On the plus side, this opens the door for the perspective customer to look at another company's offerings. From that point on its fair game. Their sales people do not take time to understand the customer's needs. In most instances they are simply order takers with a few days training. In addition, they push for a closing because they have to hurry to the next potential call. With them it's all about numbers. The only product they have to sell is price. With our firm, it's about a long term relationship. A good percentage of our business each year is obtained from their customer base. I don't elicit their customers, chase decals or yard signs. Satisfied customers referrals are still your best sales.
John W. Yusza, J
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Ken
I read your e-mails every day. Very informative. This is my first comment regarding someone else's observations, specifically to "John from NJ" published on 02/21/14. His statements regarding Bulletin 08-1 are NOT correct, and I quote in part from the bulletin:
"A variation should not be granted on the basis that the owner or occupant chooses to install more than 12 smoke alarms; the fire subcode official should grant the variation only when the design of the building is such that it requires more than 12 smoke alarms."
If you have a project in NJ that CAN be covered with the allowed number of smoke alarms, you can't tell the AHJ that you're putting in a low voltage system in lieu of the 110VAC interconnected alarms. You can always put in the low voltage detection system in addition if your customer has the money to burn, but automatic substitution is not allowed. You'll need to go for a variance, and the AHJ will only grant it if there is a true need.
Since my comments do not necessarily represent any official position or communication from my company, please sign me "Dan from NJ".
Regards,
Dan from NJ
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TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REPLY TO THIS EMAIL OR EMAIL Ken@Kirschenbaumesq.com. Most comments and questions get circulated.
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WEBINARS
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Topic: Integrating Quick Books with alarm company management software and credit card processing for RMR. You will learn how to inexpensively automate and streamline your alarm business management using sofrware designed to work with Quick Books. Hands on tutorial will demonstate how easy and useful this software can be.
When: February 13, 2014 at 12 noon to 1 PM EST.
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3856781481977174786
Moderator: Ken Kirschenbaum
Panelists: Mitch Reitman www.sicc.us; Scott Taylor www.FI-Soft.com; Thomas Aronica www.skybankfinancial.com
Who are the panelists:
Scott Taylor, with Fi-Soft and manages the firms product development and partner relations activities.. Fi-Soft specializes in QuickBooks accounting software, training, and integrated solutions. As a founding member of the Intuit Reseller Channel, Fi-Soft supports all versions of QuickBooks software and carries the highest level certifications from Intuit.
Mitch Reitman is a tax expert specializing in the alarm industry. Besides accounting and tax work, he is an active and effective business consultant and alarm business broker.
Thomas Aronica with SkyBank Financial has a focus on credit card processing for the alarm industry including RMR processing, and integrates and works with Fi-Soft's Quick Books.
Who should attend: alarm company owners, office managers and those involved in alarm company nabagment, accounting and accounting records.
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