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I own and operate a bookkeeping business in Strathmore, Wilma K Gust Bookkeeping Solutions
Originally from Ontario, I moved to Alberta in 1981 to come and see what the "Gold Rush" noise we were hearing was all about – I was one of those "bums and creeps". I planned to stay for about a year but fell in love with the West; from the county, open spaces, farming, western dancing, western clothing to western décor. I particularly love the sunrises and sunsets we can see here.
I established my bookkeeping business 11 years ago from my desire to try something new that allowed me flexibility of where I could work, earn a living and to utilize my skills from previous jobs. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs it seemed I was destined to be self employed. I wanted to live & work in the country/small towns. After visiting several communities I picked Strathmore for its more rural flavor at the time and never looked back.
I moved from Calgary and a job with Atco Gas. In this company we had to write up goals for ourselves. Although these goals did not materialize in the positions with that company I am fortunate to be able to say that every one of the goals has been met with my current business.
Also, I can say that I have utilized the skills learned in each of my previous jobs at one point or another. Something that surprised even me!
My previous experience involves:
- Work in construction, real estate, grocery wholesale, gas station, utilities
- Payroll dept supervisor
- Sold Real estate
- Worked in a mortgage department
- Atco Gas - Supervised staff of 12 to provide service to customers, and maintained million dollar budgets as well as coordinating the building of new operation centres
- Obtaining my Bachelor of Administration degree in the evenings while working full time jobs
So for me this business has met many of my goals but it was not without a large time commitment. I am committed to my business succeeding as it is a passion for me and my source of income.
Business Attributes
Servicing Strathmore and the surrounding area
Home based with one full time employee (Al) as well as myself
Two accounting software packages – AgExpert (farm) and QuickBooks. Certified Advisor for both of these Accounting software packages
Service provided - do the actual bookkeeping and train on the software in preparation to turn over to the tax preparer. Although, I am not an Accountant, we have been told that we take the books to the same level as the "file preparers" in accounting offices. We do up notes for the Accountants office highlighting what we have done and any areas of concerns for them to look at – pointing out our findings to minimize their time
We do the bookkeeping so that business owners can concentrate on what they do best – their business
Our focus is to provide customized service for each client based on their individual need – ie some people need to be hands on, some people don't have time and need us to look after things for them ie CRA remittances, farm inventory etc. Some people want to be actively involved and make the time for that but don't have the expertise. Others don't want to be actively involved and just want us to get the job done and may not be comfortable with the lingo. We are often considered the-go-between the client and the Accountant because we can speak "both languages" It also depends on the clients skill set. Some people like having two non related accounting/bookkeeping businesses looking after their best interest.
I am the Canadian registrar for the Canadian Wagyu (specialty breed from Japan) Association– registering cows (when it is active)
When hiring a bookkeeper or an accountant talk to them and make sure you are comfortable with them – it is your personal/confidential information.
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