A Q&A with Matthew Beck, Founder of Park East Bookkeeping in Cleveland, OH

We recently got an opportunity to talk with Matthew Beck of Park East Bookkeeping in Cleveland, Ohio and used it to gain insight on his business and get some information for students who are interested in a career as a bookkeeper.

• What is Park East Bookkeeping?

  We help small business owners keep track of their income and expenses with software known as QuickBooks. Just like individuals, business owners need to tell the government how much money they made or lost so taxes can be paid.
  
  We enter all of the information into QuickBooks and then tell the owners if they are making or losing money. If they are losing money, we help them to correct the problem with a business plan.

• How long have you been in business in Cleveland?

  We have been in business since 2006. At first it was just me operating from my home. But as time went on the business grew to a point where now we do business not only in Cleveland but wherever our customers are. Some customers are in other states. We even help business owners overseas from time to time.
  

• Why do you think small businesses should invest in bookkeeping services?

  When you are in school as a student you are able to focus on one class at a time. You can do math then science and take a lunch break. When you own a business it’s not like that. The phone rings constantly, vendors need you, customers need you, employees need you. Everything happens fast. In America, time is money, so we are all in a hurry. The problem with this is quality and productivity are poor. When you can’t concentrate on what you are doing because you are too busy chances are you will do a bad job.

  We take away the stress and burden from the business owner who has too much going on. We do the books and they don’t have to worry about it. Now they can focus on growing their business. That extra time they have to think makes them money because they are not trying to do so many important things at once.

  We coach them on the best way to focus. Don’t multitask on important things. Imagine you are having an operation and your doctor decides to take a phone call from his mom instead of thinking about what he is doing. Bad, right? Same with running a business. If you don’t focus on what you are doing you may fail!

• Why would this be an important career for our students to consider?

  This is a very good question for students to consider. Why is bookkeeping an important career?

  It’s a great career as it lets you think and use the skills you have gained in school. Some jobs are pretty boring. But bookkeeping is like a big puzzle. A business will give you some information to help you determine if they are making money. But usually they forget to tell you everything.

  They may forget to give you the wages or salary information. They may forget to give you loan documents. Sometimes they don’t even have any information at all. Your job is to put it all together so well that you know exactly how much money the business made so taxes can be done.

  The people are great. The work is fun, and the pay is good.

• What types of industries/businesses do you work with?

  We work with all kinds of businesses. But mostly the industries are the main ones in Cleveland, which are:

• What advice would you have for our students who want to get into bookkeeping?

  Learn to focus your attention on the task at hand. Give it your best attention, then quality check your own work. Do not give up. Keep on making the effort in the business world until you reach your goal.

  Meanwhile, enjoy each day. Be happy and don’t forget to smile. Don’t take it all so seriously that you neglect yourself or your family. I see it all the time. Very successful business people who never spend any time with their families, kids or friends. Live life in a balanced way. But when you are working on something, give it your best attention. 

Earn Your Degree to Work Toward Your Career in Bookkeeping Today!

If you are interested in becoming a bookkeeper yourself, or exploring a similar career path, our business administration/accounting program is a perfect fit.

Contact us today to learn more about our selection of great online programs offered in Ohio. We look forward to hearing from you!