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Sunday, September 7, 2014

Small Business Accounting Expense Categories

Familiarity with small business accounting expense categories makes it easier for you to do your taxes. If you operate a micro enterprise, preparing your tax return is probably not your favorite thing. In fact, it is usually recommended that you get help from a tax preparer you can trust if your budget allows for that.

Whether you are doing your taxes yourself or not, it helps to know which expenses are deductible. It gives you greater peace of mind when you are planning or making decisions on a daily basis. For example, if you operate a farm and you want to get a small van to transport goods, you would want to make sure that you could list that as a cost associated with operating a commercial enterprise.
Expenses often fall in the following categories:
  • Commercial use of your home
  • Business use of your car
  • Retirement plans
  • Interest on loans
  • Necessary insurance
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States makes it clear on their website that anything you buy must be necessary, for it to qualify. Necessary means that it is helpful and appropriate for your type of trade or service.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Choosing Outsourced Payroll Service Providers

Choosing outsourced payroll service providers is not always an easy task, especially if you have never done it before. You may ask CFOs or lawyers you know for recommendations but bear in mind that what works for them may not always suit you.

You will always need to consider the qualities that are most important to you before you select a company that offers assistance in this area. For example, if many of your employees are unionized, the provider will have to be familiar with the rules of your industry that apply to unions.

Forbes Magazine recommends that any organization you hire to compute the compensation that your employees are due should have experienced personnel. They should provide accurate data for withholdings, net pay and even your tax returns. You may choose to be able to review and sign your returns yourself or give them authority to attach your signature, if they are Reporting Agents (RAs).

Remember that the partner you choose should be one that is fully compliant with all the laws that apply in this area. Poor performance or intentional miscalculations on their part could result in serious losses for your business and hurt your reputation. Look for outsourced payroll service providers that give you exactly what you want and don’t force you to accept bundling of services you don’t require, just to increase their own profit.

How to Become a Professional Genealogy Researcher

Learning how to become a professional genealogy researcher is the first step in a rewarding career. If you have always been interested in helping people find out who their ancestors were, or learn more about where they came from, this might be the right field for you.

Certified genealogists in Maryland and other parts of the United States usually run their own businesses. This means that you can set your own rates and working hours. Of course, it also means that the entire burden of running your business successfully will rest on you. If you know you don’t have strong skills in bookkeeping or marketing, you will need to partner with persons who do.

You may already be working in this area as an assistant researcher and want to step up to another level. If you reside in the United States, your first step should be to join the Association of Professional Genealogists. This will give you the opportunity to meet researchers who are experts as well as beginners in the area.
You should also aim to attend as many conferences as you can which are based on your chosen specialty. If you plan to be accredited, you should look at the information on accreditation that is available on the website of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.

After you have learned how to become a professional genealogy researcher and invested the time in your education, you may choose to specialize in a particular area. For example, some men and women choose to focus on adoptions, or on particular ethnic groups, such as Native Americans or African Americans.

Participating in national conferences will provide more information on the things that interest you and help you become a better genealogist.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

How to Find Low Interest Student Loans

By learning how to find low interest student loans, you can continue with your studies at a tertiary level without worrying too much about the cost of tuition. There are several lending programs in the United States that are designed to help students who are not working full time.

Some of these programs are only available to men and women who need assistance and live in a specific state. Even if you are interested in a financial aid program that does not exist in your region, the people who coordinate it may still be able to help. They can provide information on similar packages in your area.

How to Find Low Interest Student Loans
Many people apply for loans each year. All of them do not qualify. However you can increase your chances of getting a loan approved if you apply with a lender that charges less interest.
Check out these low student loan rates and lenders in America:
  • Georgia Student Access loan
  • Questa Foundation
  • SoFi student loan
By learning how to find low interest student loans, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long and short term. You can also cut down on the amount of stress you experience while trying to pay back the loan.
Source: Staffordloan.com, "Stafford Loan Interest Rates", http://www.staffordloan.com/stafford-loan-info/interest-rates.php

Criminology Schools - Best Schools for Criminal Justice in America

Students who attend criminology schools can either earn a degree or a certificate in the area. People who go to the best schools for criminal justice may choose to study in a traditional setting or do their classes online.


These are five of the top related schools in this field:
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Florida
  • Northeastern University
  • University of Missouri
  • Rutgers State University in New Jersey
The courses which are offered at these schools generally cover these topics
  • Structure of the American court system
  • Police systems of practices
  • Criminal procedures and evidence
Of course, they also cover lots more information. If you think that a career in criminal justice is right for you, why not check these schools out and find out more about their faculty.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

KIVA Loans Review: The International Bank of Bob

The book The International Bank of Bob is written by Bob Harris. The International Bank of Bob is an account of his travels to Cambodia and other countries.

The writer wanted to experience first hand, the impact that the KIVA microloans had on the lives of people all across the world. It’s a humorous account and a reminder that each of us can impact the world for the better.

KIVA Loans are an alternative to traditional bank or credit union loan facilities. people sometimes need smaller loans, or microloans. KIVA Loans are usually for the amount of $25. There are many different reasons why individuals may decide to get a loan such as this.

People who borrow money via this method may not want to go to a bank for that amount of money, or may be unable to get it because they are not a member of a credit union or the loan is too small for a bank to handle.

They may have bad credit and may be unable to get another type of loan at rates they can afford. Kiva.org makes it possible for individuals to borrow between $25 and $50, at rates they can afford. For some enterprising individuals, this amount is enough to start their own business.

Can you Become an Illustrator with a Printmaking Degree?

Can you become an illustrator with a printmaking degree? Yes you can. Artists may study fine arts with a focus on printmaking and then work as illustrators after they leave college.
 
Printmaking lends itself well to black and white illustration. Printmakers such as Robert Blackburn have helped to train many talented artists over the years.

Robert Blackburn's parents were Jamaicans. He was born in New Jersey and later moved to Harlem. While his background was in printmaking, he was able to apply those skills as a professional graphic artist.

Donna Diamond was one fo the artists encouraged by Robert Blackburn in printmaking. She studied at his Printmaking Workshop and later used her training to do art for books. Those books have won the Newberry Medal, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award and several other prestigious awards.

Here are some artists who work as illustrators and use techniques they learned as printmakers:
  • Alice Pattullo
  • JW and Melissa Buchanan
  • Cate James
You may also choose to do a Master’s degree in illustration if you want to focus on illustration. A degree in printmaking gives you the foundation to work as a graphic designer, illustrator and printmaker.

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