Author: Complete Controller

Getting a home loan will be a critical advance in buying your first home, and there are a few variables for picking the most proper one. While the many financing alternatives accessible for first-time homebuyers can appear to be overpowering, setting aside the effort to investigate the nuts and bolts of property financing can spare you a lot of time and cash.

The decision to buy a house can be both overwhelming and exciting. Aside from being costly, the procedures are not so natural and straightforward. Putting finances aside, the overall process of buying a house is crucial. In any case, things are not as awful as they appear. Taking an advance from a bank can decrease a few of the hardships. Generally, individuals are not excessively all right with bank credits given the colossal premiums they pay that eventually prompt expenses. Thus, why should a person settle on bank credit, dismissing different alternatives?

 Also, why pay more for premiums or expenses to the bank? Some individuals have no choice besides a bank advance, as they cannot afford a house alone. Below are a few factors regarding bank loans that a person needs to consider:

• Do not spend every single saved penny

The main reason one goes for these bank loans is that if they are short on funds, they must finance a house or be unwilling to lose all their savings. 

The borrowers can opt for different payment plans to repay the loan amount as per their flexibility. The borrower can also adjust the loan amount at the borrower’s convenience. Usually, people can get their house financed for under 80% of the total house value. Alternatively, take as low as a 20% loan to minimize the costs and enjoy the bank loan benefits. However, do not forget to check with banks for options. These vary from rate to rate depending on the house a person chooses to finance.

The fundamental reason one goes for the bank credit is most likely because either they are short on reserves expected to purchase a house or on the off chance that they are unwilling to lose all their spared finances in minutes.

• Secure and authenticity regarding the paperwork

Security and authenticity are two of the most crucial factors a person must consider before applying for a house loan.  

So, what is the safest way to go for a bank loan? When people apply for a loan, the banks do not process it quickly. In most cases, the bank charges interest on the property a person is willing to buy. Once the loan is approved, the bank will take care of the documentation processes, registration with the authorities, and other formalities mentioned by the local law to prevent scams, losses, theft, or fraud. Doing this will eliminate the risk factor of any fake activity.

A general rule of thumb is the authenticity of the property and its archives in such innovative conditions. 

When a person applies for credit loans, the banks do not process them effortlessly in most cases. The bank charges interest on the property that a person is willing to purchase. Once the credit is endorsed, the bank will deal with the documentation forms, enrollment, specialists, and conventions.

• Flexible payment options

As a regulation, all banks offer diverse installment designs with various alternatives to the customer’s sum. Numerous banks additionally give their customers tweaked installment designs according to their demand/ adaptability and comfort. 

Aside from these advantages, many individuals still cannot purchase houses independently due to high expenses. But with the help of mortgage loans, people can now buy. These are altogether great motivations to consider when one needs to purchase a house. 

• Significant points

  • When you go to buy your first residence, you must have a mortgage. 
  • Your total income, credit history, and assets are the best sources for evaluating creditworthiness through lenders. 
  • While selecting a mortgage, you must decide on a floating or fixed rate, mortgage payment, or down payment size. 
  • Conventional loans are mortgages, but the federal government does not insure them. 

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

By: Jennifer Brazer

Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.

Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen

Building a Modern IT Employee Experience

Imagine starting every workday with outdated tools, unclear expectations, and no recognition for your efforts. It’s no surprise that 75% of IT professionals report that their job satisfaction directly hinges on their workplace experience. This isn’t just a human resources issue. It’s a business imperative. Happy IT teams directly fuel productivity, innovation, and long-term retention.

Over my 15+ years as the CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve learned that nurturing employee experiences—especially for roles as demanding as IT—pays dividends. Below, I’ll share strategies, tools, and personal insights that can transform your IT team into a thriving, engaged powerhouse.

Why IT Employee Experience is More Than a Buzzword

The ripple effect of a happy IT team

Think about this: would you stay in a role where frustration is a constant companion? Exactly. That’s why 40% of IT professionals leave jobs because of burnout or problematic environments. But when their needs are met, IT professionals often exceed expectations—finding efficiencies, dreaming up solutions, and supporting everyone else’s success.

IT isn’t just a department; it’s the infrastructure of your entire organization. Research from Gartner makes it clear: businesses that prioritize IT employee experience enjoy smoother project rollouts, higher retention rates, and more satisfied customers. Better tools and environments don’t just serve IT; They serve everyone.

From the crisis room to the quiet desks

IT teams carry heavy loads. Long hours, relentless crises, and pressure to evolve systems are par for the course. That said, the right supports—whether that’s streamlined workflows or a simple mental health check-in—can make those challenges manageable instead of overwhelming.

Organizations that truly invest in their IT team’s well-being achieve the greatest gains. The investment you make in experience design today will pay off in efficiency and loyalty tomorrow.

Understanding and Addressing IT Employee Needs

Pinpointing pain points and priorities

You cannot fix what you do not understand. If you want to improve IT employee satisfaction, you need to start by listening. Anonymous surveys, open forums, and one-on-one check-ins are gold here.

Here’s a snapshot of things IT teams often demand:

• Reliable, state-of-the-art tech that doesn’t waste their skills.
• Clarity—defined goals, updated roadmaps, and teamwork aligned with priorities.
• Recognition for their unique contributions, whether public shoutouts or performance bonuses.
• Opportunities for learning, experimenting, and career progress.

A few years ago, when my own team voiced frustration over redundant meetings stealing productive hours, we made it a point to streamline internal communication. By implementing feedback loops and updating collaboration software, we increased efficiency while showing we were listening.

Crafting personas to serve everyone

No two developers, engineers, or IT coordinators are the same. Yet so many companies treat IT like a faceless collective. By creating employee personas, you can give your team members what they need based on their roles.

For instance, consider these examples:

• System Engineers need uninterrupted focus time and tools that function with precision.
• IT Helpdesk Coordinators thrive on teamwork and structured communication channels.

By carving out persona-based strategies, you’ll serve your entire department—not just those who are vocal about their frustrations.

Key Ways to Keep IT Teams Thriving

Strengthening communication

Communication is more than a tool; it’s the fabric that holds a team together. Weak communication creates silos, delays, and unnecessary friction. Here’s how to strengthen this area:

• Schedule consistent, weekly check-ins to ensure alignment and open dialogue.
• Use platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams to create seamless collaboration pipelines.
• Make feedback an everyday habit—not a once-a-year ritual.

When our IT department implemented TINYpulse for anonymous feedback, issues that once festered exploded into action plans. Giving people a voice builds not only trust but also fluency in company improvement strategies.

Maximizing productivity

It’s hard to innovate when you’re stuck doing grunt work. Streamlining repetitive processes lets IT professionals focus on impactful projects.

• Automate ticket triaging to eliminate bottlenecks. Case in point: One software company reported a 35% faster ticket resolution rate after integrating AI routing tools.
• Use project management platforms like Trello or Jira to clarify objectives and priorities.
• Minimize unnecessary interruptions—cut down on non-critical meetings.

Every minute wasted on inefficiency is time stolen from optimization. Even applying something as basic as effective bookkeeping practices can streamline areas that detract from more urgent IT workflows.

Fostering a winning culture

People need reasons to stay, and culture plays a big part in that decision. Smart organizations celebrate effort and creativity loudly. From “Innovation Days” to gamified competitions, celebrating contributions fosters morale and results.

Take it from Microsoft: they use tools like Microsoft Viva to create workplaces where employees feel connected and respected. Their programs have yielded tangible dividends—like a 10% jump in productivity and a 12% drop in absenteeism. If you treat your team like elite players, they’ll deliver elite performance.

Practical Practices for Crafting Employee-Centric IT Workplaces

Technology workplace culture

When cultivating a purpose-driven workplace:

• Offer hands-on training programs so IT staff stays competitive and skilled.
• Support cross-departmental cooperation, allowing IT to be viewed as creators, not just fixers.
• Host hackathons to invigorate fresh thinking and collaboration.

This kind of culture prioritizes innovation and keeps people engaged—even when challenges arise.

Capturing real feedback

When it comes to feedback, ask yourself: Is this a token practice, or are you treating it as foundational? Success stories like Microsoft Viva’s feedback system demonstrate that feedback isn’t just useful. It’s transformative—if you act on it.

Platforms like SurveyMonkey or dedicated HR tools can help you create targeted surveys that gather actionable insights. Remember: it’s not the act of asking but the action afterward that builds trust.

Work-life balance is not a perk—it’s non-negotiable

IT burnout is real, and the costs are staggering. With 80% of IT workers saying remote/flexible options boost job satisfaction, now is no time to treat work-life balance as an afterthought.

Practical steps include:

• Flexible and remote schedules where possible.
• Stress-relieving wellness programs, perhaps even app partnerships.
• Innovative finance systems so everyday stressors (like payroll or resource allocation) don’t trickle down. Managing business accounting processes effectively supports this.

Remote stars also shine brightest when connected. Set aside time for virtual hangouts or casual check-ins, ensuring teams stay knitted while working apart.

Microsoft Case Study: A Gold Standard for IT Employee Experience

What they did right

Microsoft reimagined their workplace with tools like Viva that provided:

• Flexible policies—employees choose where and how they work.
• Personal and professional growth resources, like yoga classes or Microsoft Learn courses.
• Engagement strategies, which improved awareness of program goals from 23% to 89%.

This wasn’t just about productivity gains—it was about building trust and respect for each individual’s worth. It’s a model any business can mimic.

Conclusion

The bottom line? A modern IT employee experience doesn’t just happen. You build it. The stronger your investments, the stronger your team—and the stronger your company.

Our team at Complete Controller is here to support you in shaping this future. Let’s create workplaces that balance tech and humanity. You’re one move away from greatness.

FAQ

What’s the most significant factor in IT employee experience?

It starts with listening—figure out what’s frustrating your team and solve those pain points.

How do you improve IT team communication?

Use tools like Slack or Teams, hold regular structured check-ins, and foster a culture of feedback openness.

Why does work-life balance matter?

Burned-out employees are disengaged and less innovative. Balance helps retention and performance.

What are the key tools for gathering feedback?

Platforms like SurveyMonkey and TINYpulse make gathering data easy and actionable.

What’s an easy first step to modernize IT workplaces?

Start small. Run surveys or host forums to find critical bottlenecks, then work from there.

Sources

• [1] Vital Technology. “Employee Engagement Software Statistics 2024.”
• [2] Microsoft. “The Great Reshuffle and how Microsoft Viva is helping reimagine the employee experience.”
• [3] Rightpoint. “What is Digital Employee Experience? Understanding the Virtual Workplace.”
• [4] Brilliant Ink. “50+ Employee Experience Statistics You Should Know in 2024.”
• [5] Centrical. “Microsoft Case Study | Centrical.”

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Investing your hard-earned money is no walk in the park. It comes with a truckload of commitments from a place of responsibility, emotionally draining, and whatnot! It would be best to balance your susceptibility to risks and aspirations in the best way possible. While frequently you may discover confusion knocking at your door, you still have ways to figure out if you are doing any better as an investor. If you have been skeptical about your performance, here are a few ways to determine if you are any good as an investor.

You Were Earning Substantial ROI

Are you earning substantial returns on even a pea-sized investment? If yes, you are doing fine as an investor. However, if not, you may look for ways to generate better investment income. You may change your strategies and adapt to different platforms so that your profits may escalate. You may also take a digital route and see which platform works for you. However, before taking on any approach, you may do better research professionally. Chances are, it will save you many inconveniences.

You Have a Diversified Portfolio

Portfolio diversification may keep your strategies and returns intact. While it is pertinent to become slightly open to risks, diversification keeps the risk and failure of an investment to a minimum. Now that different financial markets exist, from bond markets to digital currency, taking the world by storm, you may fight a market’s high volatility. Let us put it this way: Not all financial markets are identical. Some may help you generate higher profits, while others may be slow on the gain. So, while diversifying your portfolio, you may look for ways to diversify your portfolio.

Robust Reputation as an Investor

Your reputation as an investor may have a lot of impact on your career as an investor. The better your reputation, the more stable you become as an investor. Ensure your creditworthiness is intact and cheerful enough. Your reputation will give an insight into your worthiness as an investor. Simply put, you may consider improving your relations with other investors. The more you go out of your way to hone your relationships with an investor, the better your clientele becomes.

You are Opportunistic

Your opportunistic approach will open doors for you. You will progress in your career as an investor and generate better returns. But, with an opportunistic approach, you may have the means to turn even threats into opportunities. With the digital realm expanding and exploring new horizons, you might as well hop on the bandwagon. See which route gives you the most returns. For instance, if you see potential in digital currency like bitcoins, you may invest in it. Though the higher bitcoin volatility can put your investments at stake, you may also earn larger-than-life profits.

You Focus on Long-Term Benefits

Let us face it: long-term benefits are always better than short-term gains. However, you may find your career trajectory going higher and higher with your focus on the long-term approach. You may become more assertive in your progress, and your methods may only reap your benefits. If you struggle with generating substantial returns, it is always better to take an out-of-the-box approach. Utilize creativity and innovation at best so that the outcomes may only be in your favor. However, if you find it hard to focus on the long-term benefits because of all the negative short-term gains, you may still strive for it. Chances are that the returns may benefit you like never.

Bottom Line

Now that you are becoming one of the most stable investors in history, you may also find a way to shove negativity away. It will only keep you motivated and satisfied, and your investor potential may only improve with time. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The performance of any business activity for the development, manufacture, or marketing of products and services always entails significant energy consumption, which implies, on the one hand, an economic impact on the company and, on the other, an environmental impact on our environment. The question is how significant of an impact?

Today, one of the significant challenges for companies is successfully transitioning toward a sustainable enterprise. This challenge, as noted in this blog, is not only the responsibility of the big company but of any SME or autonomous entrepreneur who is part of the productive and economic ecosystem. 

The first step towards sustainability is to achieve energy efficiency, that is, to reduce energy consumption by optimizing resources. Below is a list of ways to accomplish this.

1. Heating systems

Heating can represent more than 50% of the energy consumed in buildings, so its optimization is vital to reduce total energy consumption.

If you are thinking of renewing your business heating system or want to know which is the most efficient, take note of the following recommendations:

Pressurized body boilers consume 20% less energy than atmospheric and condensing; low-temperature boilers can save more than 25%. You can also evaluate the installation of economizers to bring the feed water temperature to the steam generation temperature, and do not forget to make periodic checks and purge the radiators. It uses management systems that always control the equipment’s operation according to the demands.

Take care of the insulation of walls, adjust doors and windows, and use double glazing to avoid wasting energy. Remember that natural ventilation must be completed before turning on the heating.

When designing the installation, it zones the rooms located to the North of those found to the South since the heating needs will be more significant in the first ones.

2. Monitoring and energy management

Energy management aims to obtain the most incredible efficiency in the supply, conversion, and use of energy without diminishing the necessary benefits to getting adequate comfort levels.

The energy monitoring systems help us know the consumption habits and uses of the different energy sources globally, allowing us to establish savings measures and predict the increases in energy that will occur as activity increases.

3. Lighting systems: Efficient lamps and luminaires 

To achieve savings of between 15% and 50% in electricity consumption, the maximum use of natural light and adopting good saving habits are vital. In addition, the installation of efficient lighting technologies and control systems can make a significant difference:

• Replace incandescent lamps with fluorescent lamps.
• Replace old fluorescent lights (38mm in diameter) with more efficient ones.
• Install presence detectors in areas of passage or of little use.
• Use of photoelectric cells in areas with natural light and exterior lighting.
• Replace electromagnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts.

Use reflectors of high efficiency in the luminaires that allow increased lighting coming from the lamp.

4. Cold rooms in the services sector

Cold rooms, the enclosures equipped with artificial cold installations and destined to conserve food or other products, are fundamental for many service sector activities, such as catering and commerce.

In this regard, the most used technologies are mechanical vapor and absorption compression, which consume thermal energy and whose price is lower but require greater energy consumption. Thus, the use of cameras is another essential source of energy expenditure, so to avoid cold losses and the consequent energy waste, it is convenient:

• Adapt the installation to the actual needs. The larger the camera, the greater the cost of cooling it.
• Ensure good insulation.
• Avoid sources of heat in the environment where the cameras are installed.
• Adapt the storage or freezing temperature according to the needs of the product.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

In the bustling economy of today, venturing into self-employment is not a rarity but a chosen path for many aspiring professionals who seek autonomy and personal growth. The realm of self-employment is intriguing; it opens doors to endless opportunities, but like any career choice, it comes with its unique set of responsibilities, especially in the context of taxation in the U.S. Let’s embark on an enlightening journey to understand the benefits of self-employment, examples of such endeavors, and the intricacies of self-employed tax penalties, along with strategies to mitigate them.

The Allure of Self-Employment

Self-employment offers several enticing benefits, making it a desirable career choice for many. One of the primary advantages is the flexibility it provides. As a self-employed individual, you have the autonomy to set your own hours and work from locations that suit you best, be it a home office or a beach in Bali. This flexibility fosters a better work-life balance, allowing individuals to cater to personal commitments alongside their professional ventures.

Another significant benefit is the limitless growth potential. Unlike traditional employment, where your income is usually fixed or grows incrementally, self-employment allows you to directly reap the rewards of your hard work and ingenuity. The more effort and creativity you invest in your business, the higher your potential earnings.

Additionally, self-employment offers a unique sense of satisfaction and pride. Building something from the ground up and watching it succeed is immensely gratifying. It’s a testament to one’s skills, determination, and resilience.

Examples of Self-Employment

The spectrum of self-employment is broad and varies across industries. It could be a tech enthusiast developing innovative software solutions, a creative mind launching a freelance graphic design career, or an individual with a knack for marketing starting a digital marketing consultancy. Other common examples include real estate agents, consultants, online store owners, fitness trainers, and writers. These avenues offer a glimpse into the myriad of possibilities that self-employment encompasses.

The Burden of Self-Employed Tax Penalties

While the benefits of self-employment are plentiful, navigating the complexities of tax requirements poses a significant challenge, particularly in the U.S. The IRS taxes self-employed individuals not only on their income but also requires them to contribute to Social Security and Medicare through self-employment tax. This can result in a higher tax liability compared to traditional employees, who share these contributions with their employers.

Self-employed individuals are also responsible for quarterly estimated tax payments. Failure to accurately estimate and pay these taxes can lead to underpayment penalties, further increasing the tax burden.

Mitigating the Self-Employed Tax Penalty

The good news is that there are strategies self-employed individuals can employ to reduce their tax liabilities. One of the most effective methods is to diligently track and deduct business expenses. Everything from home office expenses and equipment purchases to travel costs can potentially be deducted, thereby reducing taxable income.

Contributing to retirement plans is another avenue to lower tax bills. Self-employed individuals can contribute to SEP IRAs, solo 401(k)s, and SIMPLE IRAs, which not only help in tax savings but also in building a retirement nest egg.

Availing of the health insurance deduction is also beneficial. Self-employed persons can deduct premiums paid for medical, dental, and long-term care insurance for themselves, their spouses, and dependents, further reducing taxable income.

Lastly, staying informed and seeking the advice of a tax professional is invaluable. Tax laws frequently change, and having a professional guide you through the process can save you significant amounts in penalties and underpayments.

Conclusion

Embarking on a self-employment journey is akin to navigating a vast ocean. It’s thrilling, fraught with challenges, but immensely rewarding for those who are prepared. The autonomy, potential for growth, and personal satisfaction it offers are unparalleled. However, it’s essential to be mindful of the responsibilities it entails, especially regarding taxation. By implementing strategic approaches to managing taxes, one can minimize the financial burdens and ensure that the journey of self-employment is not just successful but also financially sustainable. Embrace the adventure, armed with knowledge and the determination to thrive. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the world loses 5% of its total generated revenues to fraudulent activities. The excessive use of technology is a factor that has paved the way for an increased number of frauds.

Technology has opened doors to better lifestyles and convenience. But it exposes people to high crime risks, theft, and fraud. In a scenario like this, companies must prepare for the worst.

Most companies are well-prepared for external fraud, but it shocks them when things go wrong internally. Handling internal fraud in a business is incredibly stressful. It is vital to deal with such frauds as soon as possible. Delaying the matter provides an open window to the fraudster, and they can get rid of essential documents and proofs during that time.

Handling Fraud in a Business

As internal fraud is unexpected, no one can be fully prepared to deal with it. Having a pre-structured Fraud Response Plan is a necessity when it comes to dealing with internal fraud. History provides evidence of organizations ruining their reputation after internal fraud by mishandling the situation because there was no more structured fraud response plan.

Fraud Response Plan

A fraud response plan is a document that outlines a systematic way of dealing with internal fraudulent activities. It makes the whole process organized and leads to a successful investigation. Besides dealing with internal fraud, it also helps an organization suppress any other fraud risks. Employers can show workers that they do not tolerate fraud through this plan.

It provides a framework for the managers that helps them resolve fraudulent matters and deal with the culprit.

Here is a step-by-step guide for handling fraud for organizations that do not have a fraud response plan.

• Step 1: Informing the fraud incident manager

The first step in the process of dealing with internal fraud is to alert the fraud incident manager. The fraud incident manager will provide a plan outlining resolving the matter. It is advised to include only the most trusted individuals in this matter. Not maintaining confidentiality opens doors to the suspect disappearing or important information going missing.  

• Step 2: Gathering evidence

After preparing the plan, the next step is to gather enough evidence. All the trusted employees and managers must observe the suspect and all that is happening around them. Any vital observation must be written down. Many companies assign this task to the internal IT department, which is not a smart move. Gathering all documents, including invoices, contracts, checks, purchase orders, computers, and credit card statements, is essential.

• Step 3: Prepare a report

The next thing to do is to prepare a report. This report must include the suspect’s name, the evidence pointing towards the suspect, any other suspects involved, and the most critical information if the activity continues. Also, it should include the names of all the individuals who know about the activity and the source of each piece of evidence.

• Step 4: Acting

Organizations should never confront a suspect before preparing a report with sufficient evidence. A common mistake is to allow the fraudster to keep working in the organization or demotion. The correct way to deal with fraud is the immediate dismissal of the fraudster. Also, it is essential to take the matter to the authorities. By doing so, all other employees will understand that fraudulent activities are intolerable.

• Step 5: Identify the root cause

After organizations have dealt with the fraudster, an important step is identifying the root cause. Without this step, the risks of fraud in the future are high. Therefore, dealing with fraud is essential to deal with and eliminate the root cause!

To all those organizations dealing with fraud, they must understand that maintaining confidentiality is essential. If sensitive information is disclosed and reaches the suspect, chances of them getting rid of necessary evidence are incredibly high! Another critical practice an organization must adopt in such a situation is to avoid confronting the suspect before collecting sufficient evidence.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The right business partner finds a matter of chemistry. Sometimes, it can be challenging, but it is essential to approach someone whose skills complement and are compatible with you. A partnership is a great idea, but no one can rely on a good business partner. It would help if you chose a great interactive partner in the league to avoid any future conflict with their partnership. It creates a Lack of intensity, and your company will not prosper when you choose the wrong business partner.

Your partner agrees with many issues that he can face in the future. On average, 90% of people said a partnership will last long wherever the two partners are.

They are well-matched, and they indeed run a good business. 

You should consider several skills when searching for a partner for your business partnership.

 Choose a Partner with the Skills you Desire

A good partner has excellent skills and experience with the business. Not everyone is a master of all things in business. Business is a basic need to run; you have only excellent finance skills and poor interpersonal skills. When you get more experience with your partner, you will plan, grow, start, and run your business.

The Partner that Shares Your Values

All the things to expect in a partner, vision, spirit, and values may be the most important. You want to interconnect efficiently with your partner to make decisions, set a goal line, and get up and go the business onward. When your partner is unwilling, unable, or aggressive with your viewpoint, it will be harder to be a fruitful success.

Choose a Passionate Business Partner

The critical factor is that partners are passionate about their business and career. Love defines the quality of their work and ideas that drive power with your company goals. Look for someone sincere, pulls all the weight that the company forms, and smartly solve the problem in the given period. 

Punctuality

Time is money, and it is better to keep it in mind to set up a successful business. That means your partner gives time passionately, completes tasks within the given period, and prioritizes your business.

Choose a Creative Business Partner

A creative business partner is an essential benefit to any organization or company. Partner has some ability to create an attractive image for the customer. In the partnership, one or both are creative; it is good to have fresh ideas for company improvement. 

Choose an Intelligent Partner

A good decision-maker partner is needed when the business faces some circumstances. Good decisions make a successful business. It would help if you had someone to manage your business’s situations and imagine future achievements and expectations. Creativity is also excellent when a creative partner likes to make good decisions.

Choose a Trustworthy and Honest Partner

When you choose a partner, you must agree that you will not run the opposing business. Because sometimes, one partner runs a competing business secretly due to a lack of trust and honesty. Trust is an essential element of the partnership. When you have an issue of faith, respect is also neglected with your partner.

 Partner with Practical Sagacity

A business partner must be a hard worker full of interest, and business performance tracking is necessary. Here, practical sagacity means that the business companion must understand and know how to deal with issues quickly. If you are in the same boat, never neglect your business partner, respect his decisions, contribute, and discuss everything with crystal clear truth. Yes, a deep and straightforward discussion can solve those issues that seem impossible to solve. 

All in All

Choosing a business partner can be the most challenging task for you since you cannot risk trusting someone when it comes to business, and it involves all your time, energy, and money. Do not rush. Take your time and decide once you are delighted and your heart is ready to proceed. 

The decision is one of those decisions you should not rush into. A partner has complete authority over the business, just like you would. Are you ready to give it to the one person you have in mind? About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

To improve the daily lives of employees but also to make them happy, some companies offer them to work remotely, and this is not without displeasing them! However, for managers, this can be blocked on specific points. State of play!

Working from home has become the “new model” for managing your professional and personal life well. Indeed, with new technologies, the latter has almost become a norm. However, it does not please everyone, and in this case, managers!

The first inconvenience comes from the lack of communication that there can be between the teleworker and the team. Sometimes, the manager does not have the answers in due time, which can be a disadvantage when it is necessary to modify the work now.

Problems Faced by Managers

According to a survey in 2019, the core concern for managers is the physical absence of employees. Therefore, there is a loss of social ties. Indeed, exchanges via email, instant messaging, or even Skype are not enough; as a rule, more than 40% of information is lost along the way. It can also sometimes, in some instances, lack team cohesion and, therefore, sometimes see an employee’s malaise arise!

The question that many authors ask is the following: are we productive when we work at home? Indeed, one can quickly be tempted to do something else, such as household chores. A recent study has shown that an employee is less productive when he works from home. Indeed, in this case, he will tend to do things for himself by “pretending” that he can work later. However, it does not happen that way and can get into a vicious circle!

Also, most of the time, no workspace exists (unless you create it at home). And even when this space is made, staying there for 7 hours without doing anything else is not easy.

Managing projects with a perfect deadline meetup is one of the most challenging tasks for team managers. There is a huge communication gap, especially for newly hired people. When you hire someone for the first time, they must learn to work as per the company or client’s demand. The problem arises when they do their job from home. If you let a project manager know, despite this, they will never understand what the work is and how to implement it correctly. They will always need your team’s experts’ live conversation and training sessions. If you do not believe in my words, you can experience this matter during the current lockdown pandemic.

For example, hire a new employee and train them remotely on voice or video calls. No matter whether you shared the screens of your computers or laptops. Then, start assigning them daily tasks and check the results of their work or consider the client’s feedback. As a result, you will see the worst or somehow the effect that will not match with the employee’s working quality. However, they can deliver their work with total efficiency. Then, revise all the processes in the office when they work in front of you. Damn sure! The result will be accurately different.

In addition to isolation, the work may not be well done. An actual loss for Businesses! It should be remembered that remote working is not recommended!

Finally, nobody comes to check the schedules when working remotely, and the main risk is abuse. The best solution is to force yourself to work the same hours as you were at the office, but it is easier to say than do it! In a way, it is a contract of trust between the employee and the employer. Ultimately, you must have complete confidence in your collaborator.

Please note remote working is not suitable for everyone! You must know yourself to be able to do it! In general, even if working at a distance makes it possible to retain employees and make them “happier,” there are far more disadvantages than one might think. It is, therefore, up to companies to make the right choices before putting this system within their teams. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

A student loan is a type of loan. A student can pay an agreement through which a college student, college, and institute can borrow money from the bank for their education. Once the student completes his education, he expects to repay the amount. Student loans are the money you borrow for studying and completing your education. The loan is a part of your financial aid offer from the school you attend.

A student loan is the kind of debt that cannot be wiped away even in bankruptcy. You can wipe away auto loans, personal loans, credit cards, home loans, and any debt you have ever faced, but a student loan will stay forever. People grow old with student loans, which happens when you do not know the correct information about the student loan type. It is not just about student loans; there are other things like interest rates and conditions that people do not know.

There are six types of student loans:

1. Direct Subsidized Federal Loan
2. Direct Unsubsidized Federal Loan
3. Direct PLUS Loan (for grad students)
4. Direct Consolidated Loan
5. Private Student Loan
6. Refinanced Loans (with a private lender)

Students make significant mistakes while signing or applying for student loans. Let us discuss the top three mistakes that students can avoid.

 

Lack of Information

The biggest mistake one could make is ignorance when paying off your debts. You can walk down the street and ask students if they have student loans. They might say yes, but if you question whether they know the interest amount, some might not see how much they own. They might not necessarily know the type of loan they are supposed to pay or which interest loan their debt is growing. They make payments without an idea whatsoever. 

Awareness is the first step to deciding how to get rid of the debt as quickly as possible.

Avoid this mistake by logging into your portal. This is the 21st century; you can do this on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Look into your student loan account details. Is it a 10-year or 20-year term? What is the interest rate on your student loan, and what type of student loan do you have? You can get that information by logging into the portal. Call your student loan servicer if you cannot find it on the portal.

 

Sending in the Minimum Payment

To send the minimum payment without exploring other payment options. It may be tempting to keep more money in your pocket, and you can use it on yourself. However, the reality is that the lower your student payment is every month, the longer you will be in debt. Make sure you are making aggressive payments and ignoring the minimum payment options. Making payments is the only way to get out of student loan debt.

 

Most Student Loans will not be Forgiven

To believe that student loans will be forgiven is a misconception. You must make sure you enroll in the federal student loan program. You must complete the entire document and have it signed by you and your employer to verify that you are continually working in a position that counts towards student loan forgiveness every year.

You would not want to sleep on this because students who do everything they have been told to get loan forgiveness do not get any. That is why millions of American students work with their universities. There are student visa and loan facilities for learners, but to do a job to eliminate student loan debt, they must do a relevant position. It can be the best stress relief from a financial management point of view. It can also be a nightmare if you do not return it.

All in All

If you have a piece of student loan debt, chances are you have more than the types of loans mentioned above. Many people have multiple types of loans, but the critical thing to understand here is what loans you have and the options and strategies for repayment that make the most sense for you, given your financial situation and goals.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Have you ever thought about the lessons you learned from your first job? Indeed, there must have been many, even though you were probably noticeably young when you first started working. Not only did you learn to perform different tasks, but to work alongside others, to take directions from your superiors, to be more organized, or perhaps to carry out projects that you never imagined you could achieve. Of course, what you learned depends on the kind of job you had and your overall experience doing it.

 

Look at a few things most people learn from their first jobs.

 

What Lesson Did Your First Job Teach You?

Below we share the ten most interesting answers:

1. A good attitude may be more important than a good performance. Nobody likes to work with someone who is always in a bad mood, stressed, and cannot live with others. You can repair many mistakes if you have a good attitude with your colleagues, superiors, or clients.
2. Attention to detail is paramount. Learn to pay attention to the minor things, even if this is not in your job description. Every major project consists of small tasks. If done correctly, the result will undoubtedly be positive.
3. Your first job will probably consist of tasks you do not like to do. As you gain more experience and responsibilities, you will enjoy your tasks more since you earned your company’s most important tasks.
4. If you do not speak, nobody will listen to you. Learn to communicate with your co-workers, employees, or superiors; nobody can know if you do not clearly express what you want or need. Be kind but clear. Express your ideas, questions, needs, complaints, and suggestions.
5. Your first job will not decide what you will do for the rest of your life. A first job is usually an approach to the world of work, but it will not necessarily define what you will devote for a lifetime. Take it as an apprenticeship and allow yourself to choose other options if you are uncomfortable with your first choice.
6. Office policies. It is a maxim in any company you work for; no matter how hard you try or how much reason you think you have, a company’s policies exist for a reason. If you want to work there, you must respect them.
7. You learn when you listen, not when you speak. As we have already said, your first job will be a learning moment. During this period, you should be aware of all the indications. Listen to your classmates and your superiors; as a rule, if they correct any of your actions or tasks, it is for a valid reason that you will later understand.
8. Don’t talk too much with your co-workers. It is effortless to enter trust with your co-workers. They are the people you live with a large part of the day and can become great friends, but it is always essential to keep your distance between friendship and work. Keep your story at home unless you want your personal life to become the office talk.
9. Always say “thank you” and “please.” It Sounds like grandma’s advice, but when it comes to your first job, being grateful and kind is a great virtue that will get you many extra points with your co-worker, superiors, and clients.
10. Think before you speak. Another lesson that applies to any moment of life is that they have a special meaning when it comes to your first job. When we are young, we can exalt ourselves with smallness or lose sight of things, so it will always be good to think about things twice before speaking. It will save you many mistakes, customer problems, and awkward situations.

 

Interesting, right? Your first job may not be your best one, but it is undoubtedly helpful to remember the valuable lessons it taught you. After all, it was your first exposure to the “real” world – the world of adults that can be both extremely warm and unbelievably harsh. So, remember how it made you feel and what it taught you. And if you met a gem of a person during your journey, make sure you keep that person in your life forever (it is always a good idea to have a professional senior who can guide you through)!

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.