Businesses of all sizes rely on QuickBooks in order to conduct their day to day operations. It is a powerful tool that offers many benefits. However, as with any software program, there are times when problems may surface.

QuickBooks Problems & SolutionsWhen a company is experiencing QuickBooks problems, it's important to know the best solution to solve the issue quickly. This will be the best way to ensure that business can continue and that operations are up and running quickly. Here are 5 common problems along with their solutions that are seen with QuickBooks.

Problem 1 – Lost Connection to Data FileWhile this is probably the most common issue, it is also one of the hardest to troubleshoot. One of the downsides of QuickBooks is that it can be rather fussy when it comes to network connections. If there is any issue with the network, even minor, it is possible for the connection to be lost. Start by ensuring that QuickBooks is set up correctly and that the firewall is allowing the connection. Next, use the QuickBooks connection diagnostic tool to determine the issue.

Problem 2 – Multi-User Slow ConnectionThere are several reasons that users may experience the software running slowly. In this situation, it is best to make sure that the hardware is running properly. After this, the issue may be found in the data file itself. Try using the Cleanup Company Data tool, which is found in the Utilities area. This should speed up the system significantly. If not, another option is to turn off the Audit Trail feature.

Problem 3 – Can't Locate Data FileIf a problem appears where QuickBooks is not able to locate the data file on the server, it is best to first check to see if the server machine is up and running correctly. It if is, attempt to map the drive from the client to the server directly. Keep in mind that if the system is able to see the server, the issue will be with the server manager itself. In this case, the server manager will not be running correctly.

Problem 4 – Non-Printing PrinterHaving a printer that won't print is always a nuisance. Luckily, with QuickBooks, this is also usually an easy fix. It will simply require that the file qbprint.qbp is renamed to qbprint.qbp.old. To do this, simply close QuickBooks and search for the original file. After renaming the file, reopen QuickBooks and the printer should begin working properly. This is usually something that occurs when a new printer is installed.

Problem 5 – Problems Copying or Moving the Data FileThere are times when users will need to copy the data file to another location. Typically, this is completed in order to create a backup of the system. Sometimes a problem will occur at this time and the file will be locked. When this problem develops, this means that both the Directory Monitor and the QuickBooks Server Manager are locked. To unlock them, search for services.msc after closing out of QuickBooks and look for these services. Closing them should allow for the file to be copied properly.

Troubleshooting with QuickBooks is one of the most valuable skills that any user can possess. One of the best ways to develop this skill is by practicing and learning more about the common problems that are found with the software. While these are common QuickBooks problems, they are just a few of the ones that a user may experience. To learn more about how to improve your troubleshooting skills or about QuickBooks in general, be sure to contact us today. We are prepared to offer valuable information that will help improve the benefit that any company receives from QuickBooks.
Mike McVay is a QuickBooks Online Pro Advisor. All these issues become non-issues with his service. 850-725-5696

Delinquent Returns - Back Taxes Filing And Tax Relief Help Do you have unfiled, late, past due, old, overdue, IRS back taxes or returns?   If so then the IRS can and will use the overdue returns against you in many ways. 

For example, if you have a refund coming to you, and you file more than 3 years past the due date (including valid extensions), most of the time the IRS will keep the refund. The IRS will not even offset the refund against an old tax liability from another year. 

If you are in a “binding” installment agreement to pay a prior tax liability, or in an un-collectible status, the filing of any return or the paying of any tax late will void the agreement.  This will cause all money to become due immediately.  Often when an agreement is in default, taxpayers find out via a levy on their bank account or paycheck.  Even worse, taxpayers may find out through a levy on their spouses paycheck or a lien on their house and seizure of other property! 

Taxpayers are not always notified first about settling their past due taxes. Sometimes, even the representative does not receive notification! The IRS may have filed a return for you, charged you with the tax, and is now about to take collection action against you. You probably are not aware of it yet. You are about to find out the hard way! 

I have helped hundreds of tax clients in this situation. I can help you also. Call me today for total relief.
Mike McVay, Tax Accountant 850-725-5696 Mike@MikeMcVay.com

Every business owner wants to know how to grow a profitable business.  It doesn’t matter what stage you’re at right now; you feel like your business could always do better.  And, in fact, it makes more sense to try to grow your business while it’s still doing well rather than when it has started to deteriorate.  You need to strike while the iron is hot, not when it’s already started to cool off.

But no matter when you start trying to grow a profitable business, there’s always something you can do.  Whether you’ve just started your own business or have been running it for several years, you could benefit from the following tips:

The Importance of Good People. “When you have good relationships, running your business is so much easier.  People respond to you faster and are willing to go that extra mile for you.”

1. Business Relationships vs. Personal Relationships.  How do you develop good business relationships?  It’s not that different from developing good personal relationships.  You ask questions, you practice active listening, you refrain from criticizing when it’s unnecessary and you offer your own help.
2. The Power of Good Intentions.  When you’re sincerely interested in the lives of others, they will sense it, even if you’re not the chatty type.  Make the happiness of your employees, business associates and clients your main priority and you will reap the results.

The Importance of High QualityMost people will tell you that there are many tips and tricks for improving profits.  You can mark up your products, give out freebies, advertise more and get new referrals, as per this article from Inc.  But very few people remember to mention that you should have a good product or service to begin with.

1. Believing in Your Product or Service.  When you started your business, you must have done so because you believed in the product or service you were providing.  You believed that it would help people and improve their lives.  You need to carry this conviction with you as you go along.  You can’t let your product quality or service quality suffer in any way.  And if you see opportunities to improve quality even more, all the better. 
2. Keeping Your Vision in Mind.  Well-known inventors such as Steve Jobs have been known to obsess over the design and quality of their products until they’re satisfied with the results.  Whether or not you choose to be inspired by Jobs, you too can make sure that your product or service lives up to your vision.

The Importance of PlanningThere are people who plan to start businesses and those who do so spontaneously.  Maybe you just started painting tiles in your spare time, as a hobby, until someone asked if they could buy a few from you.  And then, your home business started growing until it finally became a full-fledged tile design company.  This type of organic growth is really exciting but it leaves a lot to chance.  Instead, you might want to ask yourself the following questions which will help you plan out how you want your company to grow:

1. How many years do you think it will take for your company to achieve its full potential?
2. What market do you plan to target?  Are you aiming for more than one demographic?
3. Do you plan to introduce new products or services in the future?  If so, which ones?
4. Will you perform all your tasks in-house or do you want to outsource some of them, like accounting and bookkeeping?
5. Would you like to bring in a consulting firm to help you achieve certain aims?

These are all sprawling questions but it’s a good idea to keep the answers in mind as you go about starting and growing a business.
Call Mike McVay at 850.725.5696
Mike@MikeMcVay.com

See us at the 2015 Gulf Coast White Marlin Shootout. 
The Captain’s Meeting will be held at 7:45 pm Wednesday, August 12
that Seville Quarter Downtown Pensacola sponsored by Galati Yacht Sales
One member of each fishing team is required to
be present at the Captain’s Meeting and sign out at completion.


Palafox Pier & Yacht Harbour Marnina will be the host site for the weigh-in.