Universal Bookkeeper, Inc.

Leadership isn’t tested when things go right. It’s tested when everything falls apart. Last night’s Bills game hit hard—and if you’ve ever faced a tough loss in your business, you know that feeling. You’ve planned, you’ve prepared, and yet, things don’t go the way you envisioned. Suddenly, you’re left wondering: “What went wrong? How do I fix this?” Moments like these are where true leaders shine—not by avoiding setbacks, but by learning from them and leading their team forward. 🏈 Here are three lessons from last night’s game that every business leader can apply: 1️⃣ Stay Agile – The best game plans can (and should) evolve. In business, that means knowing when to pivot—whether it’s a shift in strategy, streamlining operations, or realigning your finances. 2️⃣ Trust Your Team – Success isn’t achieved alone. Great leaders empower their team members—whether that’s your quarterback on the field or the experts handling your back-office accounting. 3️⃣ Focus on the Long Game – One tough day—or one tough quarter—doesn’t define your business. Stay focused on the bigger picture and let each challenge shape you into a stronger leader. At Universal Bookkeeper, Inc., we help small businesses and nonprofits navigate their toughest challenges, from gaining financial clarity to optimizing their back-end operations. With the right tools, team, and support, you can lead your business to its next big win. 🏆 How are you preparing for your next win? Let’s talk about how we can help you build strategies for resilience and success. #Leadership #BusinessResilience #SmallBusinessSupport #GoBills

🔑 Reflections, Growth, and Vision: Charting Universal Bookkeeper, Inc.’s Path for 2025 Yesterday, Justin Miller, CPA and I had the privilege of meeting with our business advisors at the Don Ryan Center for Innovation. These conversations are always invaluable, providing us with the opportunity to pause, reflect, and plan for the road ahead. 📊 2024 in Review: Looking back, 2024 was a year of lessons, achievements, and growth opportunities. We celebrated goals achieved, strengthened relationships, and reached exciting milestones. At the same time, we faced challenges—moments where goals felt just out of reach. But those challenges pushed us to learn, adapt, and refine our vision. 🌟 Looking Ahead to 2025: Our meeting left us energized for the new year. We discussed: What worked well in 2024 and how we can build on it. Where we fell short and how we’ll pivot for better outcomes. The steps needed to grow as individuals, as a team, and as a business. Here’s what we’re focusing on in the year ahead: 1️⃣ Setting Bold New Goals – Personally and professionally, we’re aiming higher and challenging ourselves to do more. 2️⃣ Enhancing the Client Experience – Supporting small business owners, nonprofits, and hospices with even greater impact. Your success remains our priority. 3️⃣ Investing in Our Team – Expanding their knowledge, fostering growth, and strengthening our culture. 4️⃣ Building New Relationships – Partnering with like-minded professionals to expand our network and opportunities. 💡 Why Mentorship Matters: Having trusted mentors/advisors to guide, challenge, and inspire us is an incredible asset. They push us to think bigger, step outside of our comfort zones, and hold us accountable to our vision. As we enter 2025, we’re curious: What are the big goals for your business this year? What is driving you as a leader in 2025? Let’s continue the conversation. Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear what’s fueling your growth and vision this year. #GoalSetting #2025Vision #SmallBusinessSuccess #Mentorship #UniversalBookkeeper #NonprofitSuccess

✨ New Year, New Reads for Leaders! 📚 2025 is here, and I’m starting the year with a fresh stack of books to inspire big ideas! Whether you’re navigating small business ownership, nonprofit leadership, or managing a growing team, there’s always room to sharpen your skills and gain fresh perspectives. What books are YOU reading to kick off the new year? ✨ Are you diving into communication and leadership strategies, innovative marketing ideas, nonprofit management, or perhaps something completely different? I’d love to know what’s helping you grow in 2025. Let’s start the year strong by sharing resources and ideas—drop your recommendations in the comments below! 👇 Bonus points if it’s a book that’s sparked meaningful growth for your business or organization. PS: I’m always looking for fresh ideas to help the small business owners and nonprofit leaders we serve at Universal Bookkeeper, Inc.!

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the High Peaks Hospice Board Meeting in person, serving as their outsourced CFO. This marks our sixth year of partnership with this incredible organization, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve accomplished together. Recently, CEO Nick George shared some thoughtful words about our collaboration: “At High Peaks Hospice, there are two priorities that drive everything we do. Our first priority is caring for patients at the level where every patient feels like they are the most important person in the world. Our second priority is maintaining our business so that we can continue fulfilling our first priority.” Nick emphasized how Universal Bookkeeper, Inc. has been instrumental in supporting their second priority, helping to ensure the sustainability of their mission. Over the past six years, I’ve met with Nick and his team almost weekly, and it’s been a true partnership grounded in trust and shared values. The strength of a great relationship isn’t defined by singular milestones but by the ongoing conversations that focus on what matters most—like patient care and organizational sustainability. Whether it’s sharing insights from our experience with other nonprofits, listening to unique challenges, or honoring decisions that drive their mission, we’re committed to supporting their success. At Universal Bookkeeper, Inc., we understand the unique challenges nonprofits face, and we are proud to stand alongside organizations like High Peaks Hospice, helping them not only grow but also sustain their critical missions. If your nonprofit is looking for a dedicated partner to help guide your strategic financial decisions, we’d love to connect. We’re currently accepting new clients for 2025. Let’s work together to amplify your impact and ensure your mission thrives for years to come. #hospice #hospiceCFO #hospicecare #nonprofitimpact #universalbookkeeper

🌟 November is National Hospice Month 🌟 Hospices are the heart of compassionate care in our communities, offering dignity, comfort, and unwavering support to individuals and families during life’s most challenging moments. At Universal Bookkeeper, Inc., we are honored to provide outsourced accounting and fractional CFO services to five incredible nonprofit hospices across New York State. These organizations work tirelessly to ensure patients receive the care they deserve, and we are grateful to play a part in supporting their vital missions. Did you know these facts about hospice services? 1️⃣ Hospice teams include Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Aides, Social Workers, Spiritual Care Counselors, Volunteers, and offer 365 days of bereavement support for caregivers. 2️⃣ The Hospice Benefit covers medical equipment, supplies, pharmacy, and oxygen costs related to the patient’s terminal illness. 3️⃣ Hospice care is 100% covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans. 4️⃣ All hospices in New York State are nonprofit organizations, meaning your donations are tax-deductible. 5️⃣ Many hospices have residential care units that provide a home-like setting for patients, easing the burden on families. 6️⃣ Hospice services can also be provided in nursing homes at no additional cost to families. This holiday season, we encourage you to support your local hospice. Your contributions help sustain their mission to provide care, comfort, and dignity to those in need. 💙 Let’s take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary work of hospices and honor the incredible impact they have on countless lives. #NationalHospiceMonth #HospiceCare #Gratitude #CommunityImpact #UniversalBookkeeper

Leveling Up: How We’re Preparing for a Stronger 2025! Our team at Universal Bookkeeper, Inc. just wrapped up an incredible series of trainings to set ourselves up for success in 2025! This year, we invested deeply in our development, focusing on key areas that empower our team and improve our service to our clients. Here’s what we covered: - Leadership, Mentoring, and Coaching: Building skills to uplift and guide one another. - Customer Service Excellence: We learned and embraced the RATER model to continuously enhance our client experiences. - Communication Skills: From impactful presentations to navigating difficult conversations, we sharpened our abilities to connect and convey ideas effectively. - Change Management & Stress Management: Equipping our team with tools to thrive during times of change and pressure. - EOS Implementation: Adopting the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to stay laser-focused on growth and organizational health. - Kolbe Insights: Understanding our unique strengths and how to collaborate even better. These sessions were eye-opening and transformational for our team. We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from some of the best: Stewart Haney, Molly Breazeale, and Deborah J. Cabral, PCC. Your expertise and insights have been invaluable! A special shout-out to Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) for connecting us with such exceptional trainers. Looking forward to bringing our newfound skills and strategies into the new year and beyond! 🚀 #TeamGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #CustomerServiceExcellence #ChangeManagement #EOS #KolbeStrengths #ThankYouMVCC #UniversalBookkeeper