About Me
Hi, and thanks for checking in to meet me, Laura!
Let's get the formalities out of the way ...
Qualifications and Expertise:
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About Laura Bachelor of Commerce 1978 QuickBooks Online Canada |
For Those Of You That Like To See Certificates
QBOA 2022 Certification
QBOA 2021 Certification
QBOA 2017 CertificationLife Happens When You Are Planning Other Stuff
When life through me a curve ball, I gained other experiences I wasn't looking for ... like:
- 8.5 years serving on strata board for BC not-for-profit condominium complex (I learned more than I wanted about fund accounting!) after purchasing a condominium unit for the first time. It was a large investment so I wanted to understand how the corporation worked. I meant to only join the board for a year! As serving President for many of those years, I lead the Corporation through a successful law suit for a failing envelope structure and the initial renovations to restore the structures.
- 5 years part-time estate executor experience settling estates and distributing the property to beneficiaries. Life hit hard when multiple family members died within a short period of time. It was another huge learning curve and took years to settle the estates.
- 3 years part-time financial caretaker experience for seniors providing assistance in managing their personal day-to-day monetary affairs and eventually palliative care. I felt blessed to be able to do this for my parents and youngest brother.
- 2+ years rearranging my life to manage and accommodate a chronic illness. I learned to be very kind to myself during this period ... and flexible. This is why you see so much part-time work. I still needed to be productive and working from home in a part-time capacity was the solution to a good life and quality of life.
The path to Your Goal is Rarely Straight ... Keep Moving
Certified Public Accountant? No. Certified Professional Bookkeeper? Yes.
Just so there is no confusion ...
While I have taken professional accounting courses through the CGA Association of Alberta and H&R Block ...
I was NEVER a certified accountant (CPA, CA, CGA, CMA) and never engaged in nor provided review or audit services.
I was a CPB Certified Professional Bookkeeper, registered with the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC). Also, from February to November 2011, I worked part-time for IPBC, helping out in Member Services and assisting in the transition to a new website platform and data base.
Formal Post-Secondary Education
I do have a Bachelor of Commerce degree and have taken numerous post graduate courses in economics through the University of Calgary, Canada.
I have also, in the past, engaged in formal studies of accounting through the Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta, Canada ... achieving the 5th Level (of 6 levels in the Program 91).
If you are wondering why I didn't complete the CGA Program ... well let's just say that this was one of those time life happened while I was making other plans :0(
... and leave it at that. Everything worked out in the end ... just not the way I planned! :0)
Tax Professional? No. Basic Tax Courses and Experience? Yes.
I am not a tax expert either.
My tax background is limited to the formal study and preparation of very basic Canadian tax returns. In the late nineties, I completed the H&R Block Tax Preparation 1 course (which included capital expenditures, CCA, business 1, employment expenses, capital gains 1 and rental income) in addition to the above mentioned CGA instruction, which included basic personal and corporate tax.
I also took some T1 and T2 tax courses from The Jacks Institute (now The Knowledge Bureau) around the turn of the century.
I worked part-time at H&R Block for the 2009 & 2010 tax season. ALL H&R Block employees are required to annually take tax courses. I completed the H&R Block Tax Course 1 again in December 2009 as part of my professional development, and earned "Tax Professional" status. In December 2010, I completed H&R Block Tax Course 2. I have not been professionally trained in trust taxation, but do have some experience with basic trusts tax filing through necessity.
Self Development
I attended many small business seminars while transitioning to self-employment; and webinars as part of my on-going professional development required by IPBC. I also like reading, so I enjoyed reading online about small business issues or through hard copy; it is one of the ways I spent my leisure time.
Currently I am learning how to be retired. Restructuring life around not working is harder than you would think! LOL
I have learned a few things over the years and I thought I could share with you what I have learned ... but remember information is not advice.
Always speak with your accountant before implementing any of the information on this site ... as your accountant can give advice specific to your situation.
Welcome to my site. I hope you Enjoy Your Visit ... And Come Back Often
I no longer accept questions. There are so many social media groups that do this now, I feel it is not the best use of my time now that I am retired. But if for some reason you need to contact me, you can do so below. Fair warning, I don't check my email on a regular basis so you may have to be patient for a reply.