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.
Susan Hawkins
This week, we will be profiling Top 100 winner, Susan Hawkins. She is a Partner for Hawkins Financial, LLC. When Insightful Accountant asked Susan about starting her practice she said, "We cruised on our sailboat for sixteen months. That was 2013/2014, so I was working virtually before it was a thing… and came up the appropriate URL of CaptainQB.com." She went on to say, "My husband, Rob, has brought his management consulting experience to Hawkins Financial. Rob and I now work together full-time. Our business partnership works because we bring different skills to the table and maintain clear divisions between responsibilities."
Tell us about how you got started in the business.
I started my career as a CPA in Big 8 accounting firm, obtained an MBA, and worked on Wall Street as an Equity Analyst. No part of this career path had anything close to a work-life balance! With two young children, I knew there had to be other options. So in 2006, I got back to my accounting roots, became a ProAdvisor, and proudly become a little geekier each year. Attending the inaugural SNH in Atlanta was a pivotal point for me in 2009. I learned so much that year and decided to really commit to the ProAdvisor world then. I became a QuickBooks Solution Provider soon after that.
What is your role in your practice?
I focus on the accounting issues and detailed client file work. I enjoy product demos as it rewarding for me to talk with prospects, understand their concerns, and then present a potential solution to improve their business workflow.
What was the biggest surprise you saw in the past YEAR?
We have had numerous calls recently from businesses looking to move FROM larger ERP systems to QuickBooks Enterprise. The reasons cited included lack of integration, poor support and implementations, and of course, the cost.
What are three areas every accountant should keep an eye on next year?
- Sales tax nexus
- Blockchain
- Cyber-Security
What does it mean to you to be recognized out of more than 300,000 ProAdvisors in the world?
It is an honor to be recognized for my knowledge and expertise! This is my fifth year and I continue to be amazed by the collective talent out there and inspired by the accolade.
Your first thoughts on getting news of the honor?
When I received notification of the first Top 100 award, I was completely unfamiliar with the award. It was so exciting once I learned about it and the achievement sunk-in!
How has your ProAdvisor practice changed or evolved over the last couple of years?
The 2014 ‘relaunch’ of QuickBooks Online coincided with our return to land and steady WiFi, so I embraced QBO then. This has allowed me to expand recurring monthly client work. Rob has developed an expertise with QuickBooks Advanced Reporting so related to that, I also continue to work heavily in QuickBooks Enterprise. I like the convenience of QBO and the complex issues that I encounter in QBES but it can be challenging to maintain an expertise in both platforms.
Why is continuing to enhance your skills and acumen critical to staying one step ahead of the curve?
I joke that I am a semi-professional webinar attendee! I devote a significant amount of time to Continuing Professional Education (CPE) classes, reviewing new third-party apps, and testing new software features so that I can stay ahead of the curve. This is critical to have the knowledge and confidence to advise clients.
How do you create balance in your work and personal life?
I started this business to have balance with my personal life and have scaled our business with that in mind. For me, it comes down to scheduling and planning.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
A few years ago, I read Simply Work by Carson Tate. From that book, I embraced the idea of a ‘Personal Productivity Profile’. I recognize that I am more productive in the morning and get nothing done early afternoon and rather than feel guilty, I accept it and plan accordingly. I start work early in the morning and do not schedule phone calls, meetings, or webinars until the afternoon. This has revolutionized my productivity!
And a Special Thanks to our Sponsors: Canon, AbacusNext, Neat, Avalara, Landy Insurance, Intuit QuickBooks and Scaling New Heights.
