Well, I have been so busy the past few months working on the most complex reports I have ever worked on that I have put off doing my ProAdvisor Advanced Certification (since Intuit has fixed the exam). What a lot of clients do not realize when they search the Intuit database for a local ProAdvisor is that a lot of the "Advanced Certified" consultants listed were able to get this certification by taking actual classes last year. I was not eligible for that class, since at the time I was still employed by Intuit. Therefore, those of us that have to take the exam were faced with a difficult challenge, initially presented with an exam with several flaws about which many of us complained and could not pass no matter what. However, now it is fixed and I shall have that completed soon so that I show up higher in the list. Also, it will truly show my expertise in QuickBooks.

Consulting with businesses on QuickBooks is very enjoyable and rewarding for me, but half of my business is focused on custom reporting using QuickBooks data. I primarily use Microsoft Access, but I have used Crystal Reports before with no problems. I prefer Access because usually my clients already have it and I would not like to require them to purchase Crystal Reports since they are already investing in a report from me. I also use Microsoft Excel to create simple list reports and EDI (Electronic Document Interchange) exports. I have learned quite a bit since heading the ODBC/Reporting team at Intuit and would now consider myself an expert. Now, I would like to share my expertise by conducting online webinars or on site classes or seminars on creating custom reports using QuickBooks data. As we approach the Sleeter Conference in November for QuickBooks consultants, I have considered doing a workshop the two days following the event. In lieu of or addition to that, I will provide online webinars for beginner to advanced level participants.  Your responses are confidential and will allow me to provide the best offerings.

Thank you,
Brett Barry (Geekoid)