Question:

                     $ Sub-Account A – $1,400,000 Sub-Account B – $1,400,000 Sub-Account C – $1,400,000 Total           $4,200,000 Now expressed in millions, if rounding is done at the end              Millions Sub-Account A – $1 Sub-Account B – $1 Sub-Account C – $1 Total           $4 It does not add up!

Even if expressed as "millions of dollars" you can have a fractional part:               Millions  Sub-Account A – $1.4  Sub-Account B – $1.4  Sub-Account C – $1.4  Total           $4.2 It comes down to materiality, if the fractional part is immaterial it can be dropped but 29% of the total is definitely material.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve got the proverbial rounding question but not at the parts of cents but millions of dollars. We are trying to produce financial statements for a bank that has millions of dollars in the GL from software, no hand adjustments. Unfortunately, the financial statements are stated in millions of dollars. So, here’s the simple problem. Three sub-accounts that roll up to a total. All the accounts are in dollars and cents.                     $ Sub-Account A – $1,400,000 Sub-Account B – $1,400,000 Sub-Account C – $1,400,000 Total           $4,200,000 Now expressed in millions, if rounding is done at the end             Millions Sub-Account A – $1 Sub-Account B – $1 Sub-Account C – $1 Total           $4 It does not add up! If rounding is done before the addition, then you get             Millions Sub-Account A – $1 Sub-Account B – $1 Sub-Account C – $1 Total           $3 It adds up but I’m now out by $1.2 Million, $1M rounded. You can see the problem if I have 150 sub accounts rounded to millions. My additions could either be way off, or the totals could be out by millions from the real total.

If you have 150 sub accounts and million rounding is appropriate then in the end there usually is no problem. An equal amount of line items will be rounded up as those that round down. First question, what’s the SEC or other accounting bodies say? What is the accepted approach?

I believe common sense should come into play. The degree of rounding should be at a level that is approprioate for the amounts being reported. Second question, how the hell can a piece of software sort out what to do? I’m led to believe that at the end of year the accountants fiddle slightly to get everything to add up properly. Really???

What software are you using? In the end it really does not matter if the statements are generated by software or done manually. Statements that are rounded usually need to be plugged somewhere to get them to be in balance.

Response:

I’ve got the proverbial rounding question but not at the parts of cents but millions of dollars. We are trying to produce financial statements for a bank that has millions of dollars in the GL from software, no hand adjustments. Unfortunately, the financial statements are stated in millions of dollars. So, here’s the simple problem. Three sub-accounts that roll up to a total. All the accounts are in dollars and cents.                      $ Sub-Account A – $1,400,000 Sub-Account B – $1,400,000 Sub-Account C – $1,400,000 Total           $4,200,000 Now expressed in millions, if rounding is done at the end              Millions Sub-Account A – $1 Sub-Account B – $1 Sub-Account C – $1 Total           $4 It does not add up! If rounding is done before the addition, then you get              Millions Sub-Account A – $1 Sub-Account B – $1 Sub-Account C – $1 Total           $3 It adds up but I’m now out by $1.2 Million, $1M rounded. You can see the problem if I have 150 sub accounts rounded to millions. My additions could either be way off, or the totals could be out by millions from the real total. First question, what’s the SEC or other accounting bodies say? What is the accepted approach? Second question, how the hell can a piece of software sort out what to do? I’m led to believe that at the end of year the accountants fiddle slightly to get everything to add up properly. Really???

Response:

In any rounding exercise, whether it be rounding to dollars, thousands or millions, one of the accounts in each financial category has to be adjusted to make it balance.  The bottom line can never become more or less than the actual amount rounded.  In other words you can’t make extra/less profit from rounding other than the amount by which the bottom line itself is rounded. — Ken Russell .

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve got the proverbial rounding question but not at the parts of cents but millions of dollars. We are trying to produce financial statements for a bank that has millions of dollars in the GL from software, no hand adjustments. Unfortunately, the financial statements are stated in millions of dollars. So, here’s the simple problem. Three sub-accounts that roll up to a total. All the accounts are in dollars and cents.                     $ Sub-Account A – $1,400,000 Sub-Account B – $1,400,000 Sub-Account C – $1,400,000 Total           $4,200,000 Now expressed in millions, if rounding is done at the end             Millions Sub-Account A – $1 Sub-Account B – $1 Sub-Account C – $1 Total           $4 It does not add up! If rounding is done before the addition, then you get             Millions Sub-Account A – $1 Sub-Account B – $1 Sub-Account C – $1 Total           $3 It adds up but I’m now out by $1.2 Million, $1M rounded. You can see the problem if I have 150 sub accounts rounded to millions. My additions could either be way off, or the totals could be out by millions from the real total. First question, what’s the SEC or other accounting bodies say? What is the accepted approach? Second question, how the hell can a piece of software sort out what to do? I’m led to believe that at the end of year the accountants fiddle slightly to get everything to add up properly. Really???

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Response:

Question:

If I have a $1,662.00 credit from the IRS coming to me how much did I earn that year and how much was my spending? I lost all of my records. The IRS lost all of my records. (Except credit) Noone has any records on file. anyone care to help? Please please please Thanks.

Response:

The first rule in filing with the IRS is to keep at least 2 copies for your records. Your question is not an easy one to answer as there are all kinds of deductions to take. Do  you remember anything about filling out the form? Janice

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If I have a $1,662.00 credit from the IRS coming to me how much did I earn that year and how much was my spending? I lost all of my records. The IRS lost all of my records. (Except credit) Noone has any records on file. anyone care to help? Please please please Thanks.

Response:

I supposedly made $44,254 in 1999 and my accountant told me I need deductions, but I need to know how much in deductions to gain back $1,662 in credit. (He couldn’t tell me) The IRS (two seperate agents) told me just show the 1999 return with $1,662 over payment and everything will be fine. Yeah yeah I know copies copies copies, but I was young and nieve then. Last year in 2001 the IRS had copies of my records of 1999 I applied that credit towards my 2002 return… Becuase I owed $768. Thats when they sent a letter stating they never received my 1999 return. I have been in contact with them to extend the 3 year deadline, but the new deadline is creeping fast and I don’t know what to do. What do I do?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The first rule in filing with the IRS is to keep at least 2 copies for your records. Your question is not an easy one to answer as there are all kinds of deductions to take. Do  you remember anything about filling out the form? Janice If I have a $1,662.00 credit from the IRS coming to me how much did I earn that year and how much was my spending? I lost all of my records. The IRS lost all of my records. (Except credit) Noone has any records on file. anyone care to help? Please please please Thanks.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I supposedly made $44,254 in 1999 and my accountant told me I need deductions, but I need to know how much in deductions to gain back $1,662 in credit. (He couldn’t tell me) The IRS (two seperate agents) told me just show the 1999 return with $1,662 over payment and everything will be fine. Yeah yeah I know copies copies copies, but I was young and nieve then. Last year in 2001 the IRS had copies of my records of 1999 I applied that credit towards my 2002 return… Becuase I owed $768. Thats when they sent a letter stating they never received my 1999 return. I have been in contact with them to extend the 3 year deadline, but the new deadline is creeping fast and I don’t know what to do. What do I do? The first rule in filing with the IRS is to keep at least 2 copies for your records. Your question is not an easy one to answer as there are all kinds of deductions to take. Do  you remember anything about filling out the form? Janice If I have a $1,662.00 credit from the IRS coming to me how much did I earn that year and how much was my spending? I lost all of my records. The IRS lost all of my records. (Except credit) Noone has any records on file. anyone care to help? Please please please Thanks.

There’s no way to answer the question as posed as there’s insufficient information to make the answer unique.  I would suggest you need to reconstruct as well as possible the information for the year in question and submit it to the IRS with an explanation. I’ve not looked, but I would suppose there are quidelines published for what to do in cases where documentation has been lost as it must happen often.  Sounds like you’ve been fiddling away the time hoping a problem would go away if you ignored it–doesn’t seem like you’ve matured that much yet.  :)

Response:

fe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "You don’t sound like someone that could compete a tax return of their own." You are right I would not want to compete in a tax return, but I do NO how to spell correctly. I am dealing with a schedule c with lost information. This is not a school question…this is real! I lost my info in a fire. I now do my returns electronically because of that. Welcome to the odds, since it did happen where everyone lost the info and that is why I am posting on a message board for accountants! Do you think I want to be here? They have a copy of an adjusted credit with no records of my returns. 2 Years ago I wanted them to send me a check, but the good ol’ IRS can not just send a check. Now because they told me to wait to adjust it to 2002’s return since that happened in 2003 it is passed the alotted time (3 Years) of the orginal overpayment on my part and this is where I am having difficulties. Since I owe $768 from 2002 and I applied that credit towards the bill. This is why I am faced with a catch twenty two situation. They want money from me, but I want money from them, it’s the same money but nobody gets anything until they find the 99 return or I recreate the numbers (as told to me by 2 seperate operators from the IRS). That is why I posted hoping I would get some advice instead of ridcule, but Thanks for the tax table advice that is a start to what I was looking for. As for the IRS losing my information… well they did it three times and if you don’t believe me then "Oh my God look out behind you!" … sorry I had a daydream. Thanks for everyones advice so far. If you want to be on my christmas gift list email me and I will take care of you.

Response:

Find a good Tax Accountant who spends a lot of time dealing with the IRS on behalf of other clients and let him / her handle the problem for you.  If you are making a good income at the moment, it is not worth wasting your time in an area that you are not knowledgeable in.

Response:

I supposedly made $44,254 in 1999 and my accountant told me I need deductions, but I need to know how much in deductions to gain back $1,662 in credit. (He couldn’t tell me) The IRS (two seperate agents) told me just show the 1999 return with $1,662

This IRS has to have records of your tax liability and payments for 1999.  If you worked that year, you would have W-2 wages so there had to be a settlement of the account for the Tax Year 1999.  What is it?   ast year in 2001 the IRS had copies of my records of 1999 I applied that credit towards my 2002 return… Becuase I owed $768. Thats when they sent a letter stating they never received my 1999 return. I have been in contact with them to extend the 3 year deadline, but the new deadline is creeping fast and I don’t know what to do.

So are you saying that they never have received record of your 1999 return and now they are coming after you to file this return also.   If this is the case, then you have problems if you can’t recreate your activities for that year and will probably end up owing more money based on the settlement you reach for 1999.  

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "You don’t sound like someone that could compete a tax return of their own." You are right I would not want to compete in a tax return, but I do NO how to spell correctly. I am dealing with a schedule c with lost information. This is not a school question…this is real! I lost my info in a fire. I now do my returns electronically because of that. Welcome to the odds, since it did happen where everyone lost the info and that is why I am posting on a message board for accountants! Do you think I want to be here? They have a copy of an adjusted credit with no records of my returns. 2 Years ago I wanted them to send me a check, but the good ol’ IRS can not just send a check. Now because they told me to wait to adjust it to 2002’s return since that happened in 2003 it is passed the alotted time (3 Years) of the orginal overpayment on my part and this is where I am having difficulties. Since I owe $768 from 2002 and I applied that credit towards the bill. This is why I am faced with a catch twenty two situation. They want money from me, but I want money from them, it’s the same money but nobody gets anything until they find the 99 return or I recreate the numbers (as told to me by 2 seperate operators from the IRS). That is why I posted hoping I would get some advice instead of ridcule, but Thanks for the tax table advice that is a start to what I was looking for. As for the IRS losing my information… well they did it three times and if you don’t believe me then "Oh my God look out behind you!" … sorry I had a daydream. Thanks for everyones advice so far. If you want to be on my christmas gift list email me and I will take care of you.

Oh don’t get too pissed off!      real tax advice can be found

Response:

If I have a $1,662.00 credit from the IRS coming to me how much did I earn that year and how much was my spending?

I have to inform you that, sadly, I had to terminate my psycic. Fortunately, she saw it coming. How in the world do you expect anyone to know?  The potential combinations are endless. — Paul A. Thomas, CPA taxman at negia.net

Response:

The only good thing I have on my court is the letters each operator has sent to me before they disappear. Each letter expalins I have $1,662.00 credit coming to me.

Ummm……that is probably the amount of withholding or overpayment from a prior year. If they knew how much you have overpaid in taxes, they wouldn’t NEED your return.  They can’t create a refund until the return is filed.  They can’t apply it forward until the return is filed. I need to come up with some numbers that equal out.

You need to file a return.  If you thought you filed a return, then it may be helpful to contact your state tax agency to see if they have a copy on file. Is there a website that can calculate this? Is there a phone number I can call? Is there a God I can pray to.

As others have stated before, reconstruct your income and deductions for that year. — Paul A. Thomas, CPA taxman at negia.net

Response:

"You don’t sound like someone that could compete a tax return of their own." You are right I would not want to compete in a tax return, but I do NO how to spell correctly. I am dealing with a schedule c with lost information. This is not a school question…this is real! I lost my info in a fire. I now do my returns electronically because of that. Welcome to the odds, since it did happen where everyone lost the info and that is why I am posting on a message board for accountants! Do you think I want to be here? They have a copy of an adjusted credit with no records of my returns. 2 Years ago I wanted them to send me a check, but the good ol’ IRS can not just send a check. Now because they told me to wait to adjust it to 2002’s return since that happened in 2003 it is passed the alotted time (3 Years) of the orginal overpayment on my part and this is where I am having difficulties. Since I owe $768 from 2002 and I applied that credit towards the bill. This is why I am faced with a catch twenty two situation. They want money from me, but I want money from them, it’s the same money but nobody gets anything until they find the 99 return or I recreate the numbers (as told to me by 2 seperate operators from the IRS). That is why I posted hoping I would get some advice instead of ridcule, but Thanks for the tax table advice that is a start to what I was looking for. As for the IRS losing my information… well they did it three times and if you don’t believe me then "Oh my God look out behind you!" … sorry I had a daydream. Thanks for everyones advice so far. If you want to be on my christmas gift list email me and I will take care of you.

Response:

This sounds like a text book assignment question!!! But here’s my two cents… If I have a $1,662.00 credit from the IRS coming to me how much did I earn that year and how much was my spending?

Check a tax table (IRS has them and would gladly help you calculate tax owing/credit). I lost all of my records.

Why? The IRS lost all of my records. (Except credit)

Not possible if they have record of your credit… they don’t destroy filing documents until the seven year rule. Noone has any records on file.

How about the original tax preparer?   You don’t sound like someone that could compete a tax return of their own.   The tax preparer should/must keep copies of files.   No way all three parties (you, IRS and preparer) could lose documents… odds are too terrific. anyone care to help? Please please please Thanks.

Why not go back to your text book and read the chapter again where it shows you how to calculate the tax owing and work backwards.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Duane thanks for the advice, but fiddling away waiting for it to go away was not my intention. I have sent the IRS now a total of three tax returns for 1999. This time I need to send them one more return, hopefully this will be my last. This may sound weird, but each time I contact an operator and send them the information they end up no longer working there. I think each person I send my info to keeps getting released, fired, killed etc… My 1999 tax returns are cursed! The only good thing I have on my court is the letters each operator has sent to me before they disappear. Each letter expalins I have $1,662.00 credit coming to me. My problem now is that after the last operator completed my transactions, I have moved and lost all of my older transactions. I do not have the information my accoutant needs to do the 1999 tax return. Which makes things worse is I was a schedule c in 1999. I need to come up with some numbers that equal out. Is there a website that can calculate this? Is there a phone number I can call? Is there a God I can pray to. Please Help! I appreciate you stating I haven’t matured yet, but hey your just an accountant what would you know?

I’m just an engineer, not an accountant?  And, sorry, it was just the tone of the post that made the comment… Anyway, I don’t think there’s anything you can do to build a return but to sit down with the information the best you can piece it together and simply fiddle with numbers that eventually work out to what you need. Since it would all be undocumented, that’s why I’d suggest going to an accountant and asking advice as to how to proceed….maybe someone else here will have some suggestions as an actual accountant in such a situation.  If you do at least have the letter stating that you are owed the amount, that should at least help some. But, it’s clear there’s an infinite number of ways to arrange income, expenses and deductions to make a specific bottom line from only a single income figure.

Response:

Duane thanks for the advice, but fiddling away waiting for it to go away was not my intention. I have sent the IRS now a total of three tax returns for 1999. This time I need to send them one more return, hopefully this will be my last. This may sound weird, but each time I contact an operator and send them the information they end up no longer working there. I think each person I send my info to keeps getting released, fired, killed etc… My 1999 tax returns are cursed! The only good thing I have on my court is the letters each operator has sent to me before they disappear. Each letter expalins I have $1,662.00 credit coming to me. My problem now is that after the last operator completed my transactions, I have moved and lost all of my older transactions. I do not have the information my accoutant needs to do the 1999 tax return. Which makes things worse is I was a schedule c in 1999. I need to come up with some numbers that equal out. Is there a website that can calculate this? Is there a phone number I can call? Is there a God I can pray to. Please Help! I appreciate you stating I haven’t matured yet, but hey your just an accountant what would you know?

Response:

Question:

I think it depends on the student, and instructor.

Yes.  And it depends as much or more on WHERE you do your initial training. Virtually nobody would ever get their certificate in anything close to 40 hours at my home airport, unless they come to the table with some kind of prior experience (maybe they’ve been flying with Dad since they were a toddler). There are logistical reasons why it takes longer than 40 hours to cover the required material, and the reality is that you have to know more and demonstrate higher proficiency to fly here than what is required by the 40-hour syllabus. To say 40 hours is too little for a safe novice doesn’t add up,

Actually it does, because there is NO extra time in the 40-hour syllabus to teach anything practical about operations that are not "normal" in the specific environment where you are doing your training.  As soon as you leave the nest you start learning that the Private PTS doesn’t cover everything that you need to know.  Hopefully you don’t learn it a really hard way.  The things that come to mind are high density altitude and raging crosswinds, assuming those aren’t characteristics of your local strip. My CFI and I discussed at the outset what were my goals after I had my certificate.  I took my checkride not after I had checked off all the PTS items, but when I was proficient to do all the things I said I was going to go do as soon as she turned me loose.  When I got my certificate, I bought an airplane, and I went off and did what I said I was going to do.  I would have been legal but I would not have been safe doing that at 40 hours. I’ve got several hundred hours now, and I’m still learning just how much I don’t know about weather flying (VFR or IFR) and how much I need to learn about interpreting radar etc.  We don’t have thunderstorms here.  I never even anticipated that I needed to know this to be safe, and that was a mistake, it turns out.  So I’m in remedial weather now, trying to figure out what every midwesterner pilot probably learns before they solo. because we all solo LONG before 40 hours. I did at 12, and at least as far as what I’ve seen, that is about normal.

You haven’t seen enough.  We don’t all solo around 12, or even by 40. Looking at it from my perspective, it’s your experience that is atypical. For you to say that people whose experiences are different from yours are not "normal" is frankly somewhat insulting.  It’s a profound mistake to think that your experience with your instructor at your location in any way translates to the complexities of learning to fly somewhere else. That’s OK, we can still be friends.  :-)

Response:

Corrie, While I enjoyed your similes, I think you’re a little harsh on Eric. Anyone can acquire math skills as an engineering tool with practice and perseverance.  I used two my allowable three drops in undergrad on Calculus III and Diff-eqns, and got A’s on the retakes.  I wouldn’t consider myself prodigious at math.  I only use it as a tool.  Just do lots of problems, ask questions, get a tutor to get you through the math classes.  I found that the upper-level aero engr. courses I took used only "relatively" basic math.  And if you happened to run across a fourth-order partial differential equation, the solution is often given.  At that stage, you try to grasp the big picture, not the niceties of the Laplace transform. Perhaps a bit of encouragement is in order?  It’s my belief that an engineering background coupled with aviation definitely enhances the depth of understanding, besides carrying slightly more weight during an airline interview. My $0.02. Alex – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – uhh, yes and no, Mike.  My wife (41) is in nursing school.  She’s median age in her class.  Lots of folks go back to school in their 30’s or later. Eric, if math is eating your lunch, do yourself a favor and escape engineering.  If doing engineering math is like writing books, then differential equations is writing a five-paragraph theme.  Calculus is like writing sentences and short paragraphs.  Algebra and trig are spelling and grammar.  Arithmetic, fractions, ratios, etc. is the alphabet.   If you’re not fluent in math, it ain’t gonna work out. Find another line of work.  A business degree is highly portable. Corrie Its good that you are considering the possibility that an aviation career might not work out.  If engineering in not for you fine, but try to get something useful.  Even a libral arts degree is probably better than "aviation sciences".  At least you won’t bore people at dinner!  Certainly medicine would be better yet!  I’m sure that you know this already but consider that this is probably the only time in your life that you will have the opportunity to get educational training except for on-the-job training. When you are in your 30s with a wife and perhaps children, it is too late to go off to college and learn a new profession.  It is important to maximize your opportunities and not to limit them. Mike MU-2 Good to hear info from all sides.  I’ve thought about this too.  I used to be an IT major (goodthing I got out of that), but at this point I need a degree in something and engineering I most likely wont be able to go through.  I’ve tried once before (first time at a 4 year mind you) and I’m back at the community college level and courses like dynamics, calculus 3 and calculus based physics are taking a toll not only on my santity but also my GPA.  The honest truth is I’ve never been that good at math to begin with and all that is compounding. I think what I’m going to do for the time being is at least apply to the other college that way I have somewhere to go.  And, take flying lessons cause after all having a pilots license I want to do no matter what.  Then hopefully I can make a better decision.  But you are right it would be good if I had something else to fall back on, but right now I have zero. Eric, If I were you (and I’m not and never will be so take this FWIW), I would  get a degree in a subject area that is more potentially useful than  "aviation sciences" whatever that is.  You  have NO IDEA of whether or not you  will like being a commercial pilot.  You have NO IDEA as to whether or not  you will be able to qualify for and keep a class one medical certificate.  You have NO IDEA what the job market for pilots will be over the next 30  years. Airlines have struggled financially forever and a major part of the  their problem is high labor costs, so you have NO IDEA what pilots will be  paid in the future.  It would make sense for you to have a plan B that doesn’t involve aviation.  If you persue an "aviation sciences" degree, your  plan B might be flipping burgers.  If you persue engineering there will always  be jobs that pay a livable wage and many that will allow you to buy your  own plane.  I think that you are going to really limit yourself if you go  the "aviation sciences" route. Mike MU-2

Response:

I suppose that you are right in a two income household!  It would be tough with one income and kids for the wage earner to go back to school. Mike MU-2

uhh, yes and no, Mike.  My wife (41) is in nursing school.  She’s median age in her class.  Lots of folks go back to school in their 30’s or later. Eric, if math is eating your lunch, do yourself a favor and escape engineering.  If doing engineering math is like writing books, then differential equations is writing a five-paragraph theme.  Calculus is like writing sentences and short paragraphs.  Algebra and trig are spelling and grammar.  Arithmetic, fractions, ratios, etc. is the alphabet.   If you’re not fluent in math, it ain’t gonna work out. Find another line of work.  A business degree is highly portable. Corrie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Its good that you are considering the possibility that an aviation career might not work out.  If engineering in not for you fine, but try to get something useful.  Even a libral arts degree is probably better than "aviation sciences".  At least you won’t bore people at dinner! Certainly medicine would be better yet!  I’m sure that you know this already but consider that this is probably the only time in your life that you will have the opportunity to get educational training except for on-the-job training. When you are in your 30s with a wife and perhaps children, it is too late to go off to college and learn a new profession.  It is important to maximize your opportunities and not to limit them. Mike MU-2 Good to hear info from all sides.  I’ve thought about this too.  I used to be an IT major (goodthing I got out of that), but at this point I need a degree in something and engineering I most likely wont be able to go through.  I’ve tried once before (first time at a 4 year mind you) and I’m back at the community college level and courses like dynamics, calculus 3 and calculus based physics are taking a toll not only on my santity but also my GPA.  The honest truth is I’ve never been that good at math to begin with and all that is compounding. I think what I’m going to do for the time being is at least apply to the other college that way I have somewhere to go.  And, take flying lessons cause after all having a pilots license I want to do no matter what.  Then hopefully I can make a better decision.  But you are right it would be good if I had something else to fall back on, but right now I have zero. Eric, If I were you (and I’m not and never will be so take this FWIW), I would  get a degree in a subject area that is more potentially useful than  "aviation sciences" whatever that is.  You  have NO IDEA of whether or not you  will like being a commercial pilot.  You have NO IDEA as to whether or not  you will be able to qualify for and keep a class one medical certificate.  You have NO IDEA what the job market for pilots will be over the next 30  years. Airlines have struggled financially forever and a major part of the  their problem is high labor costs, so you have NO IDEA what pilots will be  paid in the future.  It would make sense for you to have a plan B that doesn’t involve aviation.  If you persue an "aviation sciences" degree, your  plan B might be flipping burgers.  If you persue engineering there will always  be jobs that pay a livable wage and many that will allow you to buy your  own plane.  I think that you are going to really limit yourself if you go  the "aviation sciences" route. Mike MU-2

Response:

uhh, yes and no, Mike.  My wife (41) is in nursing school.  She’s median age in her class.  Lots of folks go back to school in their 30’s or later. Eric, if math is eating your lunch, do yourself a favor and escape engineering.  If doing engineering math is like writing books, then differential equations is writing a five-paragraph theme.  Calculus is like writing sentences and short paragraphs.  Algebra and trig are spelling and grammar.  Arithmetic, fractions, ratios, etc. is the alphabet.   If you’re not fluent in math, it ain’t gonna work out. Find another line of work.  A business degree is highly portable. Corrie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Its good that you are considering the possibility that an aviation career might not work out.  If engineering in not for you fine, but try to get something useful.  Even a libral arts degree is probably better than "aviation sciences".  At least you won’t bore people at dinner!  Certainly medicine would be better yet!  I’m sure that you know this already but consider that this is probably the only time in your life that you will have the opportunity to get educational training except for on-the-job training. When you are in your 30s with a wife and perhaps children, it is too late to go off to college and learn a new profession.  It is important to maximize your opportunities and not to limit them. Mike MU-2 Good to hear info from all sides.  I’ve thought about this too.  I used to be an IT major (goodthing I got out of that), but at this point I need a degree in something and engineering I most likely wont be able to go through.  I’ve tried once before (first time at a 4 year mind you) and I’m back at the community college level and courses like dynamics, calculus 3 and calculus based physics are taking a toll not only on my santity but also my GPA.  The honest truth is I’ve never been that good at math to begin with and all that is compounding. I think what I’m going to do for the time being is at least apply to the other college that way I have somewhere to go.  And, take flying lessons cause after all having a pilots license I want to do no matter what.  Then hopefully I can make a better decision.  But you are right it would be good if I had something else to fall back on, but right now I have zero. Eric, If I were you (and I’m not and never will be so take this FWIW), I would  get a degree in a subject area that is more potentially useful than  "aviation sciences" whatever that is.  You  have NO IDEA of whether or not you  will like being a commercial pilot.  You have NO IDEA as to whether or not  you will be able to qualify for and keep a class one medical certificate.  You have NO IDEA what the job market for pilots will be over the next 30  years. Airlines have struggled financially forever and a major part of the  their problem is high labor costs, so you have NO IDEA what pilots will be  paid in the future.  It would make sense for you to have a plan B that doesn’t involve aviation.  If you persue an "aviation sciences" degree, your  plan B might be flipping burgers.  If you persue engineering there will always  be jobs that pay a livable wage and many that will allow you to buy your  own plane.  I think that you are going to really limit yourself if you go  the "aviation sciences" route. Mike MU-2

Response:

Its good that you are considering the possibility that an aviation career might not work out.  If engineering in not for you fine, but try to get something useful.  Even a libral arts degree is probably better than "aviation sciences".  At least you won’t bore people at dinner!  Certainly medicine would be better yet!  I’m sure that you know this already but consider that this is probably the only time in your life that you will have the opportunity to get educational training except for on-the-job training. When you are in your 30s with a wife and perhaps children, it is too late to go off to college and learn a new profession.  It is important to maximize your opportunities and not to limit them. Mike MU-2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good to hear info from all sides.  I’ve thought about this too.  I used to be an IT major (goodthing I got out of that), but at this point I need a degree in something and engineering I most likely wont be able to go through.  I’ve tried once before (first time at a 4 year mind you) and I’m back at the community college level and courses like dynamics, calculus 3 and calculus based physics are taking a toll not only on my santity but also my GPA.  The honest truth is I’ve never been that good at math to begin with and all that is compounding. I think what I’m going to do for the time being is at least apply to the other college that way I have somewhere to go.  And, take flying lessons cause after all having a pilots license I want to do no matter what.  Then hopefully I can make a better decision.  But you are right it would be good if I had something else to fall back on, but right now I have zero.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Eric, If I were you (and I’m not and never will be so take this FWIW), I would get a degree in a subject area that is more potentially useful than "aviation sciences" whatever that is.  You  have NO IDEA of whether or not you will like being a commercial pilot.  You have NO IDEA as to whether or not you will be able to qualify for and keep a class one medical certificate. You have NO IDEA what the job market for pilots will be over the next 30 years. Airlines have struggled financially forever and a major part of the their problem is high labor costs, so you have NO IDEA what pilots will be paid in the future.  It would make sense for you to have a plan B that doesn’t involve aviation.  If you persue an "aviation sciences" degree, your plan B might be flipping burgers.  If you persue engineering there will always be jobs that pay a livable wage and many that will allow you to buy your own plane.  I think that you are going to really limit yourself if you go the "aviation sciences" route. Mike MU-2

Response:

Good to hear info from all sides.  I’ve thought about this too.  I used to be an IT major (goodthing I got out of that), but at this point I need a degree in something and engineering I most likely wont be able to go through.  I’ve tried once before (first time at a 4 year mind you) and I’m back at the community college level and courses like dynamics, calculus 3 and calculus based physics are taking a toll not only on my santity but also my GPA.  The honest truth is I’ve never been that good at math to begin with and all that is compounding. I think what I’m going to do for the time being is at least apply to the other college that way I have somewhere to go.  And, take flying lessons cause after all having a pilots license I want to do no matter what.  Then hopefully I can make a better decision.  But you are right it would be good if I had something else to fall back on, but right now I have zero. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Eric, If I were you (and I’m not and never will be so take this FWIW), I would get a degree in a subject area that is more potentially useful than "aviation sciences" whatever that is.  You  have NO IDEA of whether or not you will like being a commercial pilot.  You have NO IDEA as to whether or not you will be able to qualify for and keep a class one medical certificate.  You have NO IDEA what the job market for pilots will be over the next 30 years. Airlines have struggled financially forever and a major part of the their problem is high labor costs, so you have NO IDEA what pilots will be paid in the future.  It would make sense for you to have a plan B that doesn’t involve aviation.  If you persue an "aviation sciences" degree, your plan B might be flipping burgers.  If you persue engineering there will always be jobs that pay a livable wage and many that will allow you to buy your own plane.  I think that you are going to really limit yourself if you go the "aviation sciences" route. Mike MU-2

Response:

I appreciate everybodys input to this.  I have come up with a new plan actually.  I found that Univ. of MD Eastern Shore offers a BS in aviation sciences with a concentration in commercial piloting.  Good part is my associates in business would transfer the gen. ed requirements.  Also that major has some business courses too (accounting + economics) and I have already taken those.  Since I’m an engineering major now, the calculus and physics and computer programming classes should also transfer.  I hope to do that in the spring.  In the meantime I would drop dynamics and calculus 3 and take ground school and flight time for the PPL at the local airpark and that should also transfer.  Hopefully I would have that done by next year.  So in the grand scope of things I’ll have my commerical license in 2.5 or 3 years, which would make me 25.  And by then the job market will be better then it is now. Oh yeah I have received parental support so it looks like its a "go". I’m at the point now that I just need a BS degree in anything.  I hope I’ll be able to pass flight school.  Worst comes to worse at least I would have a BS degree in SOMETHING (I hope) and I would be certified to have an ultra cool hobby.  After all, even if in the end flying isnt for me, how many people have degrees in one thing but wind up doing something totally different?

Response:

Eric, If I were you (and I’m not and never will be so take this FWIW), I would get a degree in a subject area that is more potentially useful than "aviation sciences" whatever that is.  You  have NO IDEA of whether or not you will like being a commercial pilot.  You have NO IDEA as to whether or not you will be able to qualify for and keep a class one medical certificate.  You have NO IDEA what the job market for pilots will be over the next 30 years. Airlines have struggled financially forever and a major part of the their problem is high labor costs, so you have NO IDEA what pilots will be paid in the future.  It would make sense for you to have a plan B that doesn’t involve aviation.  If you persue an "aviation sciences" degree, your plan B might be flipping burgers.  If you persue engineering there will always be jobs that pay a livable wage and many that will allow you to buy your own plane.  I think that you are going to really limit yourself if you go the "aviation sciences" route. Mike MU-2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I appreciate everybodys input to this.  I have come up with a new plan actually.  I found that Univ. of MD Eastern Shore offers a BS in aviation sciences with a concentration in commercial piloting.  Good part is my associates in business would transfer the gen. ed requirements.  Also that major has some business courses too (accounting + economics) and I have already taken those.  Since I’m an engineering major now, the calculus and physics and computer programming classes should also transfer.  I hope to do that in the spring.  In the meantime I would drop dynamics and calculus 3 and take ground school and flight time for the PPL at the local airpark and that should also transfer.  Hopefully I would have that done by next year.  So in the grand scope of things I’ll have my commerical license in 2.5 or 3 years, which would make me 25.  And by then the job market will be better then it is now. Oh yeah I have received parental support so it looks like its a "go". I’m at the point now that I just need a BS degree in anything.  I hope I’ll be able to pass flight school.  Worst comes to worse at least I would have a BS degree in SOMETHING (I hope) and I would be certified to have an ultra cool hobby.  After all, even if in the end flying isnt for me, how many people have degrees in one thing but wind up doing something totally different?

Response:

That’s OK, we can still be friends.  :-)

That we can

Response:

Eric,   If you are considering become a professional pilot, you definitely want to stay in school and get your degree.  Engineering is a good choice.  There are other degrees that would nicely augment a flying career, but why switch and take longer to graduate.  A lot of schools also offer flight training programs or give you credit for flight training received elsewhere.  If you were to go military, you would need a college degree to get accepted into an officer program which is the only way you will be able to fly (as a pilot). The one exception I can think of is the Army.  You can get accepted into their flight programs as a Warrant Officer (Helo’s and some C-12’s I think), but you still need to have some college (I think around 60 hours).  What you will save in monetary expense by going military you will pay for with a lengthy committment (7 to 9 years – from when you earn your wings (like 9 – 12 years total time in service).   Another route is to ‘pay as you go’ and get your ratings over time as money permits, usually while holding down another job.  Once you get your CFI you can start to instruct to accrue hours.  This can take awhile depending on your cash flow.   Another way is to take out a loan and go to one of the flight schools or academies that will train you until you earn your CFI and CFII and then work for them as an instructor until you accrue the necessary hours.  The last two scenarios are more cookie-cutter career paths, but there are many more variations of the above two that are lest costly.   I went the military route, so my explanation of the non-military methods is understandably a little general and ‘vague’.  My observation has been that, typically you can accrue hours faster as a civilian commercial rated pilot or CFI/II.  As an example most military pilots I know have around 2500 hours or less for about 10 years of service.  20 years equates to around 4-5000 hours.   Either way, if your hope is to become a professional airline pilot, a 4 year degree is typically required (if not required-it will definitely make you a lot less competitive if you do not have one).  Bottom line, IMHO, you should stay in school and finish your degree.  If you can complete some flight training along the way, then definitely do that.  Guys get hired as pilots all the time with only a few hundred hours – a lot of times you just have to be in the right place at the right time.  Good luck. Phil

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ….I’m a 22 year old college student with zero flying experience. I’m thinking of the possibility of becoming a commerical cargo or airline pilot.  I’m not that great of a student book wise, but when it comes to things that are hands on I’m pretty good at.  I have taken driver’s ed, motorcycle ed, welding and scuba diving to name the major ones and each time I’ve picked it up very quickly.  I have a associated degree in business from the local community college and am now studying engineering there but its getting difficult (and boring).  So this got me thinking into perhaps becoming a commercial pilot. Ive researched the various steps involved and its min 40 hours and avg 65 hours to get the private pilots license. Ive gathered so far that 1) flight school is expensive 2) it takes thousands upon thousands of hours for you to even be considered by the major airlines or shipping companies.  3) the market right now for career pilots isnt that hot 4) you’re gonna be one poor SOB before you reach the commercial airlines But I’m thinking when/if I got out in 4 or 5 years or so, the market will be better looking.  Is it true many of the vietnam and korea pilots will be required to reture by age 60 and this would open up the market some?  Also, almost no job just starting out of school is going to pay the big bucks that you have to work and cilmb up the ladder for. My parents are pretty opposed cause they are more traditional in thinking the "get a degree and a desk job" and my mom feels that I might crash.  My mom also told me she has a friend who’s neighbor is a commericial pilot.  His family lives in virginia but he has to rent an apartment in boston because thats where he’s based out of and the airline wont pay for the relocation either.  That and he only gets to come home on the weekends. I thought about the military route as well, but am not sure whats the best path to take if I were to go that route. I read a really good FAQ either here on the groups or on the net a while ago but I cant seem to find it.  Can anybody point me in a good direction?  I’ve been to beapilot.com. as well as studentpilot.com seem to be pretty good. Oh yeah tomorow (if the weather is ok) I go for my first 1/2 hour introductory flight lesson.  Then I can really see if I like it or not.  If there are any career commercial pilots in here that would be great.  Thanks.

Response:

I’m assuming that means the requisite XC time for the actual rating. As far as I knew, you could begin training for the instrument rating any time you want – you just can’t get the actual rating without the required hours and such. Is that correct?

Yes, but several instructors strongly suggested that I get the XC logged first. I’ve been told that it’s best to approach instrument training at full force and barrel through it with as few delays as possible, even more so than primary. And IFR builds on VFR skills, so the experience is important. As such, I don’t plan to start the actual flying until a) I’ve done some reading/studying on my own, and b) I have enough $$$ saved to pay for everything as I go. -John — John R. Hall, PP ASEL http://www.overcode.net

Response:

Those that graduate with you will always be ahead of you financially.

That’s a little unclear.  Could you please explain? I’m in a similar situation as the original poster except I have a B.S. degree (calling it ‘B.S.’ used to be funny before the telecom collapse) and 120 hours on my PP/SEL and I’m 34, not 22.   Given the telecom job market I decided to go back to school:  So, then, an Engineering Tech degree or do I take out a Key Bank aviation education loan and go for my commercial and CFI? I just passed my Class II Medical on Thursday and the loan has been approved.   Did I make the right decision?  Uhhh….Eric, I’m with you brother! What I can say is that I’ve never spent a single dollar flying that I’ve ever once regretted, even when I had to eat mac and cheese and ramen to make the bills. -c

Response:

I’m still trying to decide when and where to work on my instrument rating. I finally have the requisite XC time,

I’m assuming that means the requisite XC time for the actual rating. As far as I knew, you could begin training for the instrument rating any time you want – you just can’t get the actual rating without the required hours and such. Is that correct? — Chris Hoffmann <30 hours

Response:

Eric, I’m a small business owner who owns and flies his own aircraft for business and personal use.  I got back into flying four years ago when my wife told me I needed a hobby besides working. I racked up my instrument rating, decided commercial might be fun, and added a multi-engine rating when I bought a light twin.  By that point I was addicted, so I got my flight instructor certificate with all the airplane ratings (CFII/MEI) and while I was at it decided to get rated in helicopters because they were fun to fly.  Then, I added a helicopter rating to my instructor ticket.  Now, hardly understanding how I got to this point, I’m studying for my ATP certificate, which I hope will be an extra feather in my cap when I finally leave behind my small business for good and focus on my "second life" as a professional pilot. Pilot hiring has always been cyclical.  I remember going to ComAir’s career fair when I was 14 years old in 1988.  I talked with representatives from Delta who assured me that there had never been a better time to start a career in aviation.  By the time I graduated high school, that had changed, and I discarded aviation as an option.  In the late 90s that reversed once again, and for a time if you had a few hundred hours and a clean shaven face, you’d be plucked from the instructor ranks to work for the regional airline of your choice. It goes without saying that with the economy in its present state we’re back in the dumper again.  However, that has never really hampered my enthusiasm too much; I can bide my time, work as an instructor for peanuts (and I love it), deliver airplanes and that sort of thing.  When the time is right the market will open back up and hiring will resume.  It’s just a matter of time.  If anything I think being hired during the ‘depression’ is the best goal one can have, because it gives you the longest period of sustained work until the next reversion occurs, and you’ll have a lot more seniority than the 300 hr. kid who got hired at the height of the hiring craze. Pay your dues, be patient, and try to ease into aviation rather than flip a switch. I realize that at your age that might seem more difficult, but I started "easing into it" when I was 24, not much older than you are now. Only difference was, I didn’t know that aviation would change my life when I got involved.  It happened to me almost by accident. Keep in mind that there are options other  than what most pilots call "the majors."  (I’ve never wanted an airline job.)  Keep in mind that regardless of pilot hiring cycles, the airline industry is mutating into a different animal.  The pay probably won’t be as good as it once was, the schedule usually sucks, and much of the sparkle and romance are gone forever.  For these reasons you might want to consider other options such as fractionals (i.e. Flexjet, NetJets, etc.), corporate, etc.  Basically, you’ll be consigning yourself to flying turboprops and business jets vs. airliners, but the flying (to me, anyway) looks to be a lot more interesting and the lifestyle vastly more appealing.  The downside, of course, is that you won’t be making the big bucks like the 55 year-old 777 captain.   But riding that wave is a short ride, unfortunately.  By the time you’ll have the seniority to fly as captain in that sort of equipment you’ll be looking at mandatory retirement (age 60) just around the corner. -Ryan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My parents are pretty opposed cause they are more traditional in thinking the "get a degree and a desk job" and my mom feels that I might crash.  My mom also told me she has a friend who’s neighbor is a commericial pilot.  His family lives in virginia but he has to rent an apartment in boston because thats where he’s based out of and the airline wont pay for the relocation either.  That and he only gets to come home on the weekends.

Response:

But I’m thinking when/if I got out in 4 or 5 years or so, the market will be better looking.  Is it true many of the vietnam and korea pilots will be required to reture by age 60 and this would open up the market some?

Considering the Korea war ended 50 years ago, you can expect most of the pilots of that time to have retired some time ago.  

Response:

If I had to do it all over again, I would have flown in the Military.  You get some of the best training, and you get paid to do it.  I know the Army is looking for people in your age range with a BS / BA to attend Warrant Offices School and fly Helicopters.   You can do your 6 years, and when you get out you will have a lot of hours and all the training you will need. Good luck and have fun. Tom

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ….I’m a 22 year old college student with zero flying experience. I’m thinking of the possibility of becoming a commerical cargo or airline pilot.  I’m not that great of a student book wise, but when it comes to things that are hands on I’m pretty good at.  I have taken driver’s ed, motorcycle ed, welding and scuba diving to name the major ones and each time I’ve picked it up very quickly.  I have a associated degree in business from the local community college and am now studying engineering there but its getting difficult (and boring).  So this got me thinking into perhaps becoming a commercial pilot. Ive researched the various steps involved and its min 40 hours and avg 65 hours to get the private pilots license. Ive gathered so far that 1) flight school is expensive 2) it takes thousands upon thousands of hours for you to even be considered by the major airlines or shipping companies.  3) the market right now for career pilots isnt that hot 4) you’re gonna be one poor SOB before you reach the commercial airlines But I’m thinking when/if I got out in 4 or 5 years or so, the market will be better looking.  Is it true many of the vietnam and korea pilots will be required to reture by age 60 and this would open up the market some?  Also, almost no job just starting out of school is going to pay the big bucks that you have to work and cilmb up the ladder for. My parents are pretty opposed cause they are more traditional in thinking the "get a degree and a desk job" and my mom feels that I might crash.  My mom also told me she has a friend who’s neighbor is a commericial pilot.  His family lives in virginia but he has to rent an apartment in boston because thats where he’s based out of and the airline wont pay for the relocation either.  That and he only gets to come home on the weekends. I thought about the military route as well, but am not sure whats the best path to take if I were to go that route. I read a really good FAQ either here on the groups or on the net a while ago but I cant seem to find it.  Can anybody point me in a good direction?  I’ve been to beapilot.com. as well as studentpilot.com seem to be pretty good. Oh yeah tomorow (if the weather is ok) I go for my first 1/2 hour introductory flight lesson.  Then I can really see if I like it or not.  If there are any career commercial pilots in here that would be great.  Thanks.

Response:

I think it depends on the student, and instructor. To say 40 hours is too little for a safe novice doesn’t add up, because we all solo LONG before 40 hours. I did at 12, and at least as far as what I’ve seen, that is about normal. Granted, solo doesn’t mean you are ready for passengers, but it should mean you are really close. I value my own hide as much as anyone else’s, so I didn’t do anything solo I wouldn’t do with pax.

It’s true that student pilots should be fairly proficient in the fundamentals of staying in the air, taking off and landing in low winds, and basic navigation by the time they solo. But judging by how quickly I got lost on my first solo XC (let’s just say ZTL got really helpful really fast when they learned a solo student was off course near their class B , it’s important not to overestimate the capabilities of very-low-time pilots in general. Planning for the national average of 65 is a good idea though. Its a matter of commitment. Be sure and find an instructor you are compatible with. That is a huge thing. I am now working on my instrument rating, and to be honest, its not because I want the rating so much as I just missed flying with my instructor.

I’m still trying to decide when and where to work on my instrument rating. I finally have the requisite XC time, and I’d really like to be able to fly IFR out of Santa Monica’s very frequent marine layer, but fitting it in with work will be an interesting challenge. Good luck! -John — John R. Hall, PP ASEL http://www.overcode.net

Response:

….I’m a 22 year old college student with zero flying experience. I’m thinking of the possibility of becoming a commerical cargo or airline pilot.  I’m not that great of a student book wise, but when it comes to things that are hands on I’m pretty good at.  I have taken driver’s ed, motorcycle ed, welding and scuba diving to name the major ones and each time I’ve picked it up very quickly.  I have a associated degree in business from the local community college and am now studying engineering there but its getting difficult (and boring).  So this got me thinking into perhaps becoming a commercial pilot. Ive researched the various steps involved and its min 40 hours and avg 65 hours to get the private pilots license. Ive gathered so far that 1) flight school is expensive 2) it takes thousands upon thousands of hours for you to even be considered by the major airlines or shipping companies.  3) the market right now for career pilots isnt that hot 4) you’re gonna be one poor SOB before you reach the commercial airlines But I’m thinking when/if I got out in 4 or 5 years or so, the market will be better looking.  Is it true many of the vietnam and korea pilots will be required to reture by age 60 and this would open up the market some?  Also, almost no job just starting out of school is going to pay the big bucks that you have to work and cilmb up the ladder for. My parents are pretty opposed cause they are more traditional in thinking the "get a degree and a desk job" and my mom feels that I might crash.  My mom also told me she has a friend who’s neighbor is a commericial pilot.  His family lives in virginia but he has to rent an apartment in boston because thats where he’s based out of and the airline wont pay for the relocation either.  That and he only gets to come home on the weekends. I thought about the military route as well, but am not sure whats the best path to take if I were to go that route. I read a really good FAQ either here on the groups or on the net a while ago but I cant seem to find it.  Can anybody point me in a good direction?  I’ve been to beapilot.com. as well as studentpilot.com seem to be pretty good. Oh yeah tomorow (if the weather is ok) I go for my first 1/2 hour introductory flight lesson.  Then I can really see if I like it or not.  If there are any career commercial pilots in here that would be great.  Thanks.

Response:

….I’m a 22 year old college student with zero flying experience. I’m thinking of the possibility of becoming a commerical cargo or airline pilot.  I’m not that great of a student book wise, but when it comes to things that are hands on I’m pretty good at.  I have taken driver’s ed, motorcycle ed, welding and scuba diving to name the major ones and each time I’ve picked it up very quickly.  I have a associated degree in business from the local community college and am now studying engineering there but its getting difficult (and boring).  So this got me thinking into perhaps becoming a commercial pilot. Ive researched the various steps involved and its min 40 hours and avg 65 hours to get the private pilots license.

Incidentally, I’m a 22 year old just-out-of-college-student. I’m not a commercial pilot (yet!), but having recently gotten my private license and spent a good many hours flying to random places in Southern California, I can say learning to fly is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. For what it’s worth, I’m a full time programmer during the week, and my plan is to slowly build time and additional ratings and decide whether I want to become a professional pilot a few years down the road. A 2-3 hour cross country flight does wonders for blowing off a week’s worth of office stress. You don’t have to decide to go for commercial now. That’s way down the road. I strongly encourage you to go through with your private pilot license, though. The addiction will probably take care of the rest, and if you decide not to become a pro, you’ll still have the most awesome hobby in the world. And desk jobs will ALWAYS be there… BTW, plan on at least 60 hours for your PPL. 40 is just not realistic unless you do some sort of accelerated program, and I’m personally of the opinion that 40 hours really isn’t enough to produce a safe novice pilot anyway. -John — John R. Hall, PP ASEL http://www.overcode.net

Response:

The long term prospects for a career in aviation are pretty good. The airlines are rather cyclical in nature. A lot of the airlines that last month said they were not hiring are hiring this month. It does not take thousands and thousands of hours to become an airline pilot. It does take planning and a concerted effort to achieve that goal. The best thing to do is to find an airline pilot who will act as your mentor in achieving your career goals. You will never make up the money you lose on training and lost time in starting your career. Those that graduate with you will always be ahead of you financially. Your mom is right. You might crash. Or an airliner flown by terrorists might kill you while you are sitting at your desk on the ground.

Response:

BTW, plan on at least 60 hours for your PPL. 40 is just not realistic unless you do some sort of accelerated program, and I’m personally of the opinion that 40 hours really isn’t enough to produce a safe novice pilot anyway.

I did mine in 42, and it was through a private instructor. Plus it was in the Pacific Northwest, so half the time we were rained out. Now I’m at 130 (still very low time to be sure), and I still believe I was plenty safe then. I think it depends on the student, and instructor. To say 40 hours is too little for a safe novice doesn’t add up, because we all solo LONG before 40 hours. I did at 12, and at least as far as what I’ve seen, that is about normal. Granted, solo doesn’t mean you are ready for passengers, but it should mean you are really close. I value my own hide as much as anyone else’s, so I didn’t do anything solo I wouldn’t do with pax. Planning for the national average of 65 is a good idea though. Its a matter of commitment. Be sure and find an instructor you are compatible with. That is a huge thing. I am now working on my instrument rating, and to be honest, its not because I want the rating so much as I just missed flying with my instructor.

Response:

I fly for fun, but the aviation market (unless you are selling fuel) is certainly poor now. So who will profit when the airlines come back? Sombody will need to fill those seats because even the returning furloghed captains will age out. One thing for sure – if you dont have your ratings and PIC time when the hiring starts, you wont be in the game. Have you considered getting your A/P (airframe/ powerplant) mechanic’s rating?  A good pair of hands can make some decent money, you can probably get a discount on flight lessons once you are a rated mechanic working for a flight school, and you’ll need to know a ton of systems stuff to become an ATP / tubine pilot anyway…. good luck & if you stick with engineering – LEARN TO FLY ANYWAY!!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ….I’m a 22 year old college student with zero flying experience. I’m thinking of the possibility of becoming a commerical cargo or airline pilot.  I’m not that great of a student book wise, but when it comes to things that are hands on I’m pretty good at.  I have taken driver’s ed, motorcycle ed, welding and scuba diving to name the major ones and each time I’ve picked it up very quickly.  I have a associated degree in business from the local community college and am now studying engineering there but its getting difficult (and boring).  So this got me thinking into perhaps becoming a commercial pilot. Ive researched the various steps involved and its min 40 hours and avg 65 hours to get the private pilots license. Ive gathered so far that 1) flight school is expensive 2) it takes thousands upon thousands of hours for you to even be considered by the major airlines or shipping companies.  3) the market right now for career pilots isnt that hot 4) you’re gonna be one poor SOB before you reach the commercial airlines But I’m thinking when/if I got out in 4 or 5 years or so, the market will be better looking.  Is it true many of the vietnam and korea pilots will be required to reture by age 60 and this would open up the market some?  Also, almost no job just starting out of school is going to pay the big bucks that you have to work and cilmb up the ladder for. My parents are pretty opposed cause they are more traditional in thinking the "get a degree and a desk job" and my mom feels that I might crash.  My mom also told me she has a friend who’s neighbor is a commericial pilot.  His family lives in virginia but he has to rent an apartment in boston because thats where he’s based out of and the airline wont pay for the relocation either.  That and he only gets to come home on the weekends. I thought about the military route as well, but am not sure whats the best path to take if I were to go that route. I read a really good FAQ either here on the groups or on the net a while ago but I cant seem to find it.  Can anybody point me in a good direction?  I’ve been to beapilot.com. as well as studentpilot.com seem to be pretty good. Oh yeah tomorow (if the weather is ok) I go for my first 1/2 hour introductory flight lesson.  Then I can really see if I like it or not.  If there are any career commercial pilots in here that would be great.  Thanks.

Response:

Question:

My company issued dividend shares as a part of their most recent round of financing.  They are earned monthly, let’s say one dividend share per month for every 1,000 shares purchased  Their value is $2.45 per share. What is the proper way to account for these shares?  I know I would credit the equity account but what is the correct account to debit? Also, a lump sum of 5,000 shares from this same round was given in exchange to a current shareholder to guarantee a 2 year loan.  Should the total value of these shares be amortized over the term of the loan and handled the same way as the dividend shares? Please reply to this group.  Thanks.

Response:

My company issued dividend shares as a part of their most recent round of financing.  They are earned monthly, let’s say one dividend share per month for every 1,000 shares purchased  Their value is $2.45 per share.

The common stock account is credited for the par value   The paid in capital account is credited for the difference in par value and the fair market value. Retained Earnings is debited for the market value.   Also, a lump sum of 5,000 shares from this same round was given in exchange to a current shareholder to guarantee a 2 year loan.  Should the total value of these shares be amortized over the term of the loan and handled the same way as the dividend shares? Please reply to this group.  Thanks.

Are there any restrictions on that ownership of stock?  Does it vest over the term of the loan?

Response:

My company issued dividend shares as a part of their most recent round of financing.  They are earned monthly, let’s say one dividend share per month for every 1,000 shares purchased  Their value is $2.45 per share. The common stock account is credited for the par value The paid in capital account is credited for the difference in par value and the fair market value. Retained Earnings is debited for the market value.

So you are saying the debit goes directly to retained earnings without appearing on the P&L?  I didn’t know that was an option. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Also, a lump sum of 5,000 shares from this same round was given in exchange to a current shareholder to guarantee a 2 year loan.  Should the total value of these shares be amortized over the term of the loan and handled the same way as the dividend shares? Please reply to this group.  Thanks. Are there any restrictions on that ownership of stock?  Does it vest over the term of the loan?

No restrictions, vests immediately.  We are amortizing it over the 2 year tem of the loan.  So could this be booked directly to retained earnings too? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My company issued dividend shares as a part of their most recent round of financing.  They are earned monthly, let’s say one dividend share per month for every 1,000 shares purchased  Their value is $2.45 per share. The common stock account is credited for the par value The paid in capital account is credited for the difference in par value and the fair market value. Retained Earnings is debited for the market value. So you are saying the debit goes directly to retained earnings without appearing on the P&L?  I didn’t know that was an option.

Dividends don’t affect the P & L.  What some people do is to have a "dividends" account which is in the equity section that closes to Retained Earnings.  A direct debit to RE gets you to the same place at the end. — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

 So you are saying the debit goes directly to retained earnings without appearing on the P&L?  I didn’t know that was an option.

Yes.     No restrictions, vests immediately.  We are amortizing it over the 2 year tem of the loan.  So could this be booked directly to retained earnings too?

I think you should probably treat this like the stock dividend above and book it immediately.

Response:

So you are saying the debit goes directly to retained earnings without appearing on the P&L?  I didn’t know that was an option. Yes. No restrictions, vests immediately.  We are amortizing it over the 2 year tem of the loan.  So could this be booked directly to retained earnings too? I think you should probably treat this like the stock dividend above and book it immediately.

I would ask the CPA firm to verify this accounting treatment.  Ordinary stock dividends just expand the shares and usually have no effect but as part of a loan and financing package (is loan guarantor also a stockholder or employee?) it may require some additional accounting treatment!

Response:

Question:

The Accounting Software I’m using places Long Term Liabilities on the Balance Sheet as part of Capital Employed rather than part of Employment of Capital. My text books show it the other way round. Which is correct, and does it vary by country? — Ken Russell Sydney — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

The Accounting Software I’m using places Long Term Liabilities on the Balance Sheet as part of Capital Employed rather than part of Employment of Capital. My text books show it the other way round. Which is correct, and does it vary by country? — Ken Russell Sydney

In the US long term liabilities are not considered part of "capital" (equity) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Accounting Software I’m using places Long Term Liabilities on the Balance Sheet as part of Capital Employed rather than part of Employment of Capital. My text books show it the other way round. Which is correct, and does it vary by country? — Ken Russell Sydney — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

In the U. S., liabilities are the part of a company that is owned by creditors while capital is the part owned by the owners of the company whether they be stockholders or sole proprietors or partners. Wayne Brasch, CPA, M. S. Taxation

Response:

Question:

Many thanks to everyone for your feedback!!! I’m trying to finish a couple of new essays, so when I upload the new material that’ll be a good time to make other changes. I will post when the revisions are on-line. Very Best Wishes to All, Arthur

Response:

Have you considered adding some art to the site ? One idea is to position "The Scream" in the center of your page. http://www.museumsnett.no/nasjonalgalleriet/munch/eng/innhold/ngm0093… Thanks for the informative site :  ) Tony

Response:

@bob.news.rcn.net: I like blue in fact my whole condo has blue through said to raise bloodpressure and heartrate, green is a more calming color, may explain my manic hyperactive frenetic mind living here in my blue house… (sorry Vashti LOL)

                *Purple*    

Question:

No, but your mother might chase it. BTW, isn’t it hard to throw without a prehensile thumb? John

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If I throw a stick, will you go away??? bob

Response:

"It

Question:

Thanks for the link to the site, Megan. I agree with you. It is thoroughly depressing and it really sickens me about how people say *oh how terrible* and then do nothing about helping because *it’s not their problem*. A case in point was at my vet surgery this morning. I had gone to get Tiger checked over, and a lady came in with a cat that had been hit by a car. The vet, as they do, rushed to give aid and asked the lady for her contact details so they could treat it. She turned around and said *I’m not giving them, it’s not my cat, and it’s not my problem*. Malcolm informed me that he *knows* the cat belongs to the lady who brought it in, but he can’t prove it – after all, tabbies with white bib and four white paws all *look the same*.

<snip When we had our home re-financed via a financial advisor, we had to go through our budget with hi, step by painful step, accounting for every sodding cent we spend or likely to spend during hte year. It was a long and painful porcess, but since he’s done this so often he had a list of likely expenses, like mortgage repayments, gas, water, electricity, council rates, pay-tv, internet, food, alcohol, cigereattes, petrol, car mainatenance, car rego etc etc etc. Quie eye-opening really, and at best, we were only making estimates. I was amazed at how much money I managed to spend on absolutely nothing each week. *That* money was the moneyt hat was going to get our motgage down from 30 years to 12 and it seems to be working so far as well. The rick is to live off plastic and neverhave much cash lying around. Cash gets spent on crap because its *there* whereas plastic seems to only buy what you need, well, it does for me anyway. However, what the financial advisor failed to budget in was the cost of having pets. And I"m nopt taling about cat & dog foos as they get bought int he weekly grocery shop. I’m talking about the cost of flea treatements, replacement collars (and leashes), repair costs for the damage they do (like carpet cleaning) and of course both regular and emergency vetinary care for each of them. He wanted to put down $200 a year, but I isnsisted on $1000 *each* a year. He thought I was nuts, but since pet health insurance is ridiculously expensive, and emergency will have to come straight out of my pocket. And I can’t possibly imagine saying to the vet "Oh, just put Shmogg down, I can’t afford the $200 to fix his leg". Shmogg & Fluff are my children. They will be taken care of, to the best of my ability. NAd if the y don’thave $1000 worth of vet bills a year, then my mortgage gets paid of quicker. But budgeting that much for the each of them does give me some peace of mind when I read about cats like Waffles who have suffered quite horrible injuries and have fully recovered. That sort of thing used to worry me at night, and now it doesn’t. When you are doing up your budgets, can I humbly advise you folk to "self insure" your own cat’s (or pet’s) health. I’d hate to have to find all that money out of one month’s salary otherwise, and after an emergency-free year, you have an extra $1000 or so to spend on whatever you like. Yowie

Response:

I read with interest the thread about declaw sites, and found it very sad that someone was more worried about offending people with a picture of a freshly declawed cat than thinking about how offensive the procedure itself is. The picture illustrates exactly what happens when a cat is declawed, and if people are offended by that, so be it. Education isn’t always fun and games, and the truth can be pretty ugly. The attitude the poster had reminded me of an article I read recently that I think illustrates quite well just how many people would rather wear blinders than to deal with reality. If anyone is interested in reading it here is the link: http://www.themestream.com/gspd_browse/browse/view_article.gsp?c_id=2…

Response:

I read with interest the thread about declaw sites, and found it very sad that someone was more worried about offending people with a picture of a freshly declawed cat than thinking about how offensive the procedure itself is. The picture illustrates exactly what happens when a cat is declawed, and if people are offended by that, so be it. Education isn’t always fun and games, and the truth can be pretty ugly. The attitude the poster had reminded me of an article I read recently that I think illustrates quite well just how many people would rather wear blinders than to deal with reality. If anyone is interested in reading it here is the link:

http://www.themestream.com/gspd_browse/browse/view_article.gsp?c_id=2… rc_cat_id=6321&id_list=295240,308754,307571,284006,306605,302628,290681,284 0 47,286864,288367 I just read it, and I have tears in my eyes.  Every word is true.

Response:

Thanks for the link to the site, Megan. I agree with you. It is thoroughly depressing and it really sickens me about how people say *oh how terrible* and then do nothing about helping because *it’s not their problem*. A case in point was at my vet surgery this morning. I had gone to get Tiger checked over, and a lady came in with a cat that had been hit by a car. The vet, as they do, rushed to give aid and asked the lady for her contact details so they could treat it. She turned around and said *I’m not giving them, it’s not my cat, and it’s not my problem*. Malcolm informed me that he *knows* the cat belongs to the lady who brought it in, but he can’t prove it – after all, tabbies with white bib and four white paws all *look the same*. I asked Malcolm (vet) what would happen to the stray… his reply, *Oh I’ll patch it up and find a new home somewhere via one of the rescue groups..* Fortunately, that lady had enough sense to at least take the cat to the vet, and she has gone home feeling like she has done a good deed for the day because *it’s not her problem*. Sorry about the vent, but that woman *really* ticked me off, and that article was just *so* true. Helen M

I read with interest the thread about declaw sites, and found it very sad that someone was more worried about offending people with a picture of a freshly declawed cat than thinking about how offensive the procedure itself is. The picture illustrates exactly what happens when a cat is declawed, and if people are offended by that, so be it. Education isn’t always fun and games, and the truth can be pretty ugly. The attitude the poster had reminded me of an article I read recently that I think illustrates quite well just how many people would rather wear blinders than to deal with reality. If anyone is interested in reading it here is the link:

http://www.themestream.com/gspd_browse/browse/view_article.gsp?c_id=2… rc_cat_id=6321&id_list=295240,308754,307571,284006,306605,302628,290681,284 0 47,286864,288367 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Good wishes and ahoming beacon to the little black cat. And a big hug and a thankyou to you for all the work you do, too. Yowie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A case in point was at my vet surgery this morning. I had gone to get Tiger checked over, and a lady came in with a cat that had been hit by a car. The vet, as they do, rushed to give aid and asked the lady for her contact details so they could treat it. She turned around and said *I’m not giving them, it’s not my cat, and it’s not my problem*. Malcolm informed me that he *knows* the cat belongs to the lady who brought it in, but he can’t prove it – after all, tabbies with white bib and four white paws all *look the same*. I asked Malcolm (vet) what would happen to the stray… his reply, *Oh I’ll patch it up and find a new home somewhere via one of the rescue groups..* Fortunately, that lady had enough sense to at least take the cat to the vet, and she has gone home feeling like she has done a good deed for the day because *it’s not her problem*. Sorry about the vent, but that woman *really* ticked me off, and that article was just *so* true. Helen M Helen, have a good vent, that’s what we’re here for. At least the cat is safe now, and if you know who the useless ex-owner is, you can make sure that she doesn’t get any healthy cats from a rescue group. It’s a shame the cat wasn’t chipped, then the vet could prove it belonged to the woman. We had a terrible day yesterday, and I couldn’t sleep a wink last night. First we heard that a cat that we’d homed a fortnight ago had had convulsions on Saturday morning and died at the vets on Saturday afternoon (the vet thinks liver failure). The next disaster was revealed when we were following up on the neutering of two kittens that went to a supposedly indoor home last summer. One had been killed on the drive when the owner accidentally backed over it, and the moron had rehomed the other one to another charity when he injured its leg. We are furious, especially as we know the woman who runs the other charity, and she didn’t check to see if the kitten was chipped. We still don’t know if the kitten has been neutered. Everything seemed fine on the homecheck, but clearly this guy was a professional liar. The third disaster was finding that another kitten homed last year to what we thought was a very good home had been abandoned for six weeks when his owner went abroad. She thought that leaving the shed open and arranging for a friend to drop by daily to feed the cat was acceptable. Finally, to cap it all, we homed a cat yesterday afternoon to a lovely woman, and she rang us last night to say that it had escaped already! I’ve just spent three hours touring her estate asking people to look out for the cat, and putting ads out. The middle two of the above are due to us making wrong calls on the suitability of the owners, although they did lie like politicians to us to get a kitten in the first place. The first and last are just bad luck. It’s just awful that they should all happen, or come to light, within a forty eight hour period. Rehoming is supposed to be the good bit of the job! Please, all of you, send out good thoughts  that our little black cat, homed yesterday, will be found. Jeanette remove nospam to email

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -A case in point was at my vet surgery this morning. I had gone to get Tiger checked over, and a lady came in with a cat that had been hit by a car. The vet, as they do, rushed to give aid and asked the lady for her contact details so they could treat it. She turned around and said *I’m not giving them, it’s not my cat, and it’s not my problem*. Malcolm informed me that he *knows* the cat belongs to the lady who brought it in, but he can’t prove it – after all, tabbies with white bib and four white paws all *look the same*. I asked Malcolm (vet) what would happen to the stray… his reply, *Oh I’ll patch it up and find a new home somewhere via one of the rescue groups..* Fortunately, that lady had enough sense to at least take the cat to the vet, and she has gone home feeling like she has done a good deed for the day because *it’s not her problem*. Sorry about the vent, but that woman *really* ticked me off, and that article was just *so* true. Helen M

Helen, have a good vent, that’s what we’re here for. At least the cat is safe now, and if you know who the useless ex-owner is, you can make sure that she doesn’t get any healthy cats from a rescue group. It’s a shame the cat wasn’t chipped, then the vet could prove it belonged to the woman. We had a terrible day yesterday, and I couldn’t sleep a wink last night. First we heard that a cat that we’d homed a fortnight ago had had convulsions on Saturday morning and died at the vets on Saturday afternoon (the vet thinks liver failure). The next disaster was revealed when we were following up on the neutering of two kittens that went to a supposedly indoor home last summer. One had been killed on the drive when the owner accidentally backed over it, and the moron had rehomed the other one to another charity when he injured its leg. We are furious, especially as we know the woman who runs the other charity, and she didn’t check to see if the kitten was chipped. We still don’t know if the kitten has been neutered. Everything seemed fine on the homecheck, but clearly this guy was a professional liar. The third disaster was finding that another kitten homed last year to what we thought was a very good home had been abandoned for six weeks when his owner went abroad. She thought that leaving the shed open and arranging for a friend to drop by daily to feed the cat was acceptable. Finally, to cap it all, we homed a cat yesterday afternoon to a lovely woman, and she rang us last night to say that it had escaped already! I’ve just spent three hours touring her estate asking people to look out for the cat, and putting ads out. The middle two of the above are due to us making wrong calls on the suitability of the owners, although they did lie like politicians to us to get a kitten in the first place. The first and last are just bad luck. It’s just awful that they should all happen, or come to light, within a forty eight hour period. Rehoming is supposed to be the good bit of the job! Please, all of you, send out good thoughts  that our little black cat, homed yesterday, will be found. Jeanette remove nospam to email

Response:

Question:

Hello, one and all  – We got back from a neat vacation last night, and I’m checking in officially, accounting from Wednesday the 11th. Finally got to see the Imax film Everest — wow!  There’s a trek and a half.  It motivated me to get my ass out of bed this morning to do my regular walking, and to push harder.  During vacation, I walked miles and miles every day, and tried to get in at least 30 minutes fast walking, with hills, daily. It was difficult getting in 2-3 litres of water a day because of potty panic, never knowing where the next one would be.  I’d give myself a "B" in this department, particularly since I had wine everyday, and should have been drinking even more water to make up for it. The WOE survived the trip with a few hits, not many.  I overdid the wine, but it was planned for, even if out-WOE (carby, but fortunately, I like it dry). To you, what follows may not seem like much, but I’m really excited that my WOE has really become a WOL.  For the eight days, here’s what I had that’s not on my plan, and I’m writing this for all to see because I’m having trouble believing it:  the wine; 2 gulps of the orange juice put in front of me, unasked, for breakfast; 1 chocolate-coated peanut; the shredded carrot on the (yuck) iceberg lettuce I was served several times instead of the potato du jour; 2 pieces of a Lindt chocolate bar over my ration for the day, once; too many carrot sticks from the crudit

Question:

I run a small one person business and use QuickBooks Pro 99 for tracking my finances. I know enough about how to use the software to do day-to-day stuff, but how do I go about finding a consultant who can (a) help me get it set up correctly so that (b) I can take a disk to the accountant at tax time? I would also like to (c) be able to call up this person once every blue moon when I need to know how to do something with the software that I have never done before and therefore need it explained. Where do I start? Thanks

Response:

May I suggest http://www.cpafinder.com/ ? Good Luck

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I run a small one person business and use QuickBooks Pro 99 for tracking my finances. I know enough about how to use the software to do day-to-day stuff, but how do I go about finding a consultant who can (a) help me get it set up correctly so that (b) I can take a disk to the accountant at tax time? I would also like to (c) be able to call up this person once every blue moon when I need to know how to do something with the software that I have never done before and therefore need it explained. Where do I start? Thanks

Response:

Richard, I would advise you to take a look at www.intuit.com and go to the "find a Professional Advisor" page.  You will find a listing by region/city of Professional Advisors.  Choose 2-3 names from your local area and contact them.  Some Professional Advisors are bookkeepers who do not deal with year end accounting (preparation for Professional Accountants) and some are CPA’s who specialise in QuickBooks support.  Look for some one at the upper end of the public accounting scale to provide you with the type of advice you require at the fees you are willing to pay for their expertise. Best of luck in your search. Regards, David Spence QuickBooks Professional Advisor SPENCE & COMPANY – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I run a small one person business and use QuickBooks Pro 99 for tracking my finances. I know enough about how to use the software to do day-to-day stuff, but how do I go about finding a consultant …. Where do I start? Thanks

Response:

Richard, You should check Intuit’s web site. They have a list of QB Professional Advisors by town. There are lots of CPAs now who specialize in QB. It makes sense as there are many clients like you. Once you are set up correctly, I am sure everything will go like clock work. My best clients are the ones on QB. All they have to do is email me their file or send me the disk and I have everything I need for the year end work. Good luck. Rich www.baranskyvaccaro.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I run a small one person business and use QuickBooks Pro 99 for tracking my finances. I know enough about how to use the software to do day-to-day stuff, but how do I go about finding a consultant who can (a) help me get it set up correctly so that (b) I can take a disk to the accountant at tax time? I would also like to (c) be able to call up this person once every blue moon when I need to know how to do something with the software that I have never done before and therefore need it explained. Where do I start? Thanks

Response:

Or you can use a bookkeeper.  Much less expensive and usually more accessible than CPAs. — Gina M. Dent BookSmart St. Louis, MO – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I run a small one person business and use QuickBooks Pro 99 for tracking my finances. I know enough about how to use the software to do day-to-day stuff, but how do I go about finding a consultant who can (a) help me get it set up correctly so that (b) I can take a disk to the accountant at tax time? I would also like to (c) be able to call up this person once every blue moon when I need to know how to do something with the software that I have never done before and therefore need it explained. Where do I start? Thanks

Response:

Hi Richard! A good place to start might be to call Intuit and ask them for the names of a few Quick Books factory certified installers / consultants in your area and then contact them until you find one who you are comfortable with and is willing to work with you in the manner you wish.

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Depending on your location, call us in Illinois or call Quickbooks for a referral, or better yet ask a friend. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I run a small one person business and use QuickBooks Pro 99 for tracking my finances. I know enough about how to use the software to do day-to-day stuff, but how do I go about finding a consultant who can (a) help me get it set up correctly so that (b) I can take a disk to the accountant at tax time? I would also like to (c) be able to call up this person once every blue moon when I need to know how to do something with the software that I have never done before and therefore need it explained. Where do I start? Thanks

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Go out to quickBooks web page and check on its list of professional advisores in your area.  Call 3-5 of them, set up an interview with each, and see who you think you can work with. I get a lot fo work supporting QuickBooks that CPA firms don’t want or can’t be bothered with.  It lets me support their clients without interfering with the rest of the professiona accounting client relationship. KG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I run a small one person business and use QuickBooks Pro 99 for tracking my finances. I know enough about how to use the software to do day-to-day stuff, but how do I go about finding a consultant who can (a) help me get it set up correctly so that (b) I can take a disk to the accountant at tax time? I would also like to (c) be able to call up this person once every blue moon when I need to know how to do something with the software that I have never done before and therefore need it explained. Where do I start? Thanks

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