This month we have an overview of the much-improved QuickBooks POS version 4.0. I encourage you to take another look at this product because they've really revamped the interface, and they've made it much more "QuickBooks-like".

Also, since it's a new year, we decided to put a bunch of our eductional materials on sale. Please review some of the products we have on sale at the Sleeter Group store. We have products to help you to build your consulting practice, teach your clients QuickBooks and bookkeeping, and market your services.

In December 2004, Intuit released version 4 of QuickBooks Point of Sale (QBPOS). This revision of the software includes a nearly complete makeover of the interface, and provides several new features.

Read the overview of this new version, written by Denise Duplinski, CPA, one of our Sleeter Group experts.

The world of Blogging is taking over the publishing world.

If you've never read a blog before, it's basically a web page that provides newsletter-like content in small chunks (Click the link below to view Greg LaFollette's Blog). You can "subscribe" to a blog by setting up a reader that installs into your outlook program and then teach it which blogs to go out and read for you. It's not email based, but an add-in to Outlook can help you integrate your blog reading into your email tool. Two tools you can check out are (1) Intravnews and (2) Newsgator.

Greg LaFollette, the Executive Editor of CPA Technology Advisor, the magazine I write a monthly column in, has a blog that I find interesting, and right on target. Check out his blog at thetechgap.com (link below). It covers topics on technology and public accounting. If you've installed one of the blog readers mentioned above, you can subscribe to his blog by clicking "Syndicate this site (XML)" on the top right.

Let me know what you think!

The Sleeter Group has teamed up with QDA Systems to bring you the "QDA+ Data File Analysis" tool. This product provides the tools and information necessary to manage and conduct engagements. This is the first software solution that manages and, more importantly, automates the data file analysis process. Additionally, this system manages and documents the workflow of data file analyses and it provides employee testing or "knowledge assessments" so you can help your clients understand where their bookkeeping staff is in need of additional knowledge and training.

QDA+ saves time and eliminates the guesswork on how much time you will spend doing an analysis! At the same time, it increases quality and consistency because it conducts the analysis the same way, every time. Now it's realistic to profitably offer analysis services on a monthly basis to your clients. These in turn spawn appropriate remedial services, such as data file repair, customization, staff training and telephone support services. Consultants can document measurable improvement and quantify value-added services they are providing to clients.

Want to test drive QDA+? Click on the link below.

Consultant's Reference Guide (book, CD ROM, or buy both at a special bundled sale price) - Book or CD ROM Sale Price: $69.95 (regular price $89.95).

Written specifically for the accounting professional, our clients refer to the Consultant's Reference Guide as their "QuickBooks Bible." In this comprehensive, 570 page detailed reference manual you'll find troubleshooting techniques designed to help you diagnose and quickly fix problems in your client's QuickBooks and QuickBooks Pro files. All examples and recommendations are carefully designed to result in proper accounting entries and detailed reports for management. We consider this product a "must have" for all QuickBooks consultants.

Consultant's QuickBooks Tool Kit CD ROM - Sale Price: $179 (regular price $199).

The Consultant's Tool Kit on CD ROM includes sample correspondence, engagement letter templates, spreadsheets, and graphically designed marketing templates to assist CPA firms, professional bookkeepers, and accounting software consultants with the marketing of their services to prospective clients and the management of their existing client relationships. This Tool Kit will save MANY hours of your valuable time!

The "Successful QuickBooks Consulting System" - Sale Price: $495 (regular price $595).

Successful QuickBooks Consulting Seminar on CD ROM, The Consultant's Reference Guide (book and CD ROM), and the Consultant's Tool Kit all bundled at one LOW price.

The seminar curriculum is based on our two day live, QuickBooks-Endorsed, "Managing & Marketing Your QuickBooks Practice" seminar and is presented by Sleeter Group Instructor, Joe Woodard. The live seminar was presented around the nation and was endorsed by Intuit in 2002. The seminar registration fee was $495 for the two day seminar! In the seminar, Joe Woodard shares our experiences building QuickBooks consulting practices for CPA firms throughout the country. Joe makes the learning process interesting, practical and fun. The system includes the 10 hour seminar, the Consultant's Reference Guide in printed book & on CD ROM, AND the Consultant's Tool Kit. (an $840 value if purchased independently)!

Teach your own QuickBooks seminars with our Learning QuickBooks Step-By-Step Teaching System - $639 (regular price $699)

Grow your QuickBooks Consulting practice by teaching seminars to new QuickBooks users. By showing your expertise in QuickBooks, students are more likely to contact your firm for all their accounting needs! The Learning QuickBooks Step-by-Step Teaching System is designed for teaching introductory level QuickBooks. Each module presents different QuickBooks topics that allow teachers to select the module(s) that best fit your teaching needs! Each of the modules are designed to be taught in a 4 hour lecture class (or an 8 hour hands-on class, where each student has their own computer). The Basic Teaching System includes FOUR (out of six) separate teaching modules bundled into one product at a discounted price.

Introduction to QuickBooks 2004 College Textbook- $68 (regular price $78)

Learning QuickBooks is easy with the Introduction to QuickBooks Pro Textbook. Authored by Douglas Sleeter, the nation's leading educator on QuickBooks, and published by McGraw Hill. The textbook was developed for teachers and students and is used at many community colleges, proprietary schools and in continuing education programs. The textbook makes an excellent self study tutorial. The textbook provides step-by-step instructions along with clearly illustrated screen captures that students can easily follow.

The "QuickBooks® User" is a private label newsletter service for QuickBooks Consultants to mail to their QuickBooks clients. The "QuickBooks® User" newsletter will be branded with your company's name and logo along with a firm biography. We send you the number of copies you need each month, you insert special messages for your clients, and mail them to your clients. All for less than $9 a client per year! Includes easy-to-read articles with illustrations of QuickBooks screen shots and QuickBooks tips. In addition, you'll also receive a PDF version of the newsletter emailed to you each month, which you can post in a newsletter archive on your firm's Web site or email to your clients. The Sleeter Group and Buzz Publishing (formerly "Inside QuickBooks") have teamed up to offer this great service to you to enhance your QuickBooks practice.