Editor's Note: This is another in our ongoing series highlighting this year's Insightful Accountant's "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.
Not long ago, Caren Schwartz sat down with an attorney from a large law firm who was setting out on his own. A step that big requires patience on both sides – from the client who is making a dramatic life and career change, and from his advisor, a long-time consultant who has seen this scene play out in various stages.
The entrepreneurial attorney made the right decision by sitting down with Caren, who founded her firm, Time & Cents Consultants, to help legal and other service professionals select, install and get the most out of their practice management, billing, accounting and other firm specific technologies.
Over the course of their meetings, Caren was able to help him identify solutions that could help him with billing, accounting and practice management. The goal was to enable his firm to hit the ground running and setup the appropriate processes to meet his needs.
Her job, as Caren will tell you point blank, is to allow companies to better manage their time, money and information through the practical and efficient use of their software. She is an expert in billing, case and practice/office management systems who focuses on making practice management software into real world turnkey solutions.
The Fairfield, Conn.-based firm also is a member of the 35*45 Consulting group. Today, Caren is an Advanced Certified Pro Advisor for QuickBooks®, a Certified Consultant for Timeslips by Sage®, Sage 50® (formerly Peachtree), Amicus Attorney® and Amicus Premium Billing and a Certified Independent Consultant for Time Matters®, Billing Matters™ and PCLaw®. Caren is also a certified reseller of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster. She is a member of the Intuit Accounting Professionals Trainer and Writers Network and has taught classes for Solo Practice University, SCORE, "Scaling New Heights" and the Accountex Network. She also writes reviews and articles for Technolawyer®, a respected online newsletter for attorneys and the Insightful Accountant. She is the author of the book “QuickBooks for Law Firms.”
Prior to establishing Time & Cents, she spent more than 14 years as an executive with IBM, where she was accountable for marketing support, quality development and training, and multi-million dollar revenue planning. An active member in community affairs, she also serves on a number of local non-profit boards.
What does it mean to you to be recognized out of more than 200,000 ProAdvisors in the world?
It is an honor and an obligation. The obligation is to give back to the community and to continue to show leadership.
Your first thoughts on getting news of the honor?
Relief. After being named a “Top 100” the last three years, it would be a bit of a let down to not be included.
How has your ProAdvisor practice changed or evolved over the last couple of years?
Over the last few years, I have gotten involved with more cloud-based options and have had to understand more about how these products integrate with QuickBooks Online.
Why is continuing to enhance your skills and acumen critical to staying one step ahead of the curve?
There is so much change happening that if you are not growing you will fall behind.
Give us a snapshot of today's accounting landscape.
More choices, including integrations and more cloud options.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
I am not sure there's a single piece of advice that was stated, but my father taught me to be honest and believe in yourself. I think this has really helped me in life and in work.
How do you create balance in your work and personal life?
Is there such a thing? One thing that I think helps me is taking time to walk, exercise and go to religious services. I try to make time to do the things I enjoy. By being part of a group – like a book group – I have a commitment to aspects of my personal life.
What's on your to-do list the rest of 2017?
Continue to learn. I was introduced to some of the power of OneNote and I am figuring out how to use that. I also want to work with the Woodard Group to help develop the legal niche. Continue to work on finding ways to better run my business and organize my information.
Special thanks to our program sponsors, including Canon imageFORMULA Document Scanners, ADP, Finagraph, "Scaling New Heights" and Intuit's QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program.