Q: What is your role at KCARD?
A: I am a business development assistant at KCARD. I support our team with client interviews and research. I also have been using my past bookkeeping experience to help businesses with their recordkeeping.
Q: What is recordkeeping support and how can it be beneficial to a farm or agribusiness?
A: Many farm and small ag business owners struggle with record-keeping. Many need guidance in how to go about keeping track of inventory, labor, and all-around record keeping. I help them decide what form is best suited for their needs. Many choose some version of QuickBooks for their record keeping. If this is the case, I help any way I can. Generally, walking them through the process is a way I like to help decrease stress. When I say, “If you make a mistake, it can be fixed,” it seems to make it easier for them to just dive in and start working through their books.
Q: What level of support can be given for QuickBooks or other software?
A: My goal is to help those that need it at their comfort level. No matter if they have just started using the program or have specific program/report questions, I am here to help. I have helped clients set up their accounts and walked them through the process. I have also helped dive into expanding their QuickBooks service to add payroll and tax payments for their farm or business.
Q: How did you get into QuickBooks support?
A: My husband and I have a farm business and have used both versions, online and desktop for years. My mother-in-law was a life-long bookkeeper for several businesses in our town, and working with her, I learned as much as I could with those businesses.
Q: What other activities have you been involved in at KCARD?
A: In addition to the work in QuickBooks, I have been involved in communications work for the association. I have been able to work on market research, financial planning, and business planning for various clients.
Q: Aside from recordkeeping support, how does your experience contribute to helping businesses at KCARD now?
A: Being a small farm business owner I know firsthand how important business planning and recording keeping is. In the past 20 years, I have worked in the Kentucky agriculture industry in a variety of positions. My knowledge of animal production ag as well as farming in general give me a unique insight to the farming family and lifestyle.
Q: What is the one piece of advice you wish someone would have given you the first time you started using an accounting software, like QuickBooks?
A: When I began using an accounting program, I do wish I had been told what I tell our clients, “It can be fixed, so don’t be nervous about making mistakes.” It can be overwhelming when looking at the whole of the project. However, if you take it one step at a time and lay a detailed foundation it is easier in the long run.
Q: What is the best part and the worst part of owning horses?
A: I have never known life without a horse. Owning horses or any animal for that matter is a commitment. This is the best and worst part of owning a horse. Once or twice a day they need to be fed and watered depending on the stabling situation. This time can be both meditative and very fulfilling, as well as straining and difficult depending on the time of the year No matter the time of year, holiday, or weather, the animal must be taken care of, fed, and watered. So time commitment is the best and worst part of owning horses.
To learn more about KCARD and its services, contact us at 859-550-3972 or via email at kcard@kcard.info.