Professional And Legal Advice

Because of the nature and size of your business there will be times when you require both legal and financial consultation. A tanning salon is rarely large enough to employ such services on a full time or retainer basis. Primarily, there are three types of consulting services that you will, at some point in time, need:

• Management Consultation
• Accounting Consultation
• Legal Consultation

These services are sometimes difficult to find, since the better consultants are not found in the Yellow Pages, Internet or other types of advertising. The best way to locate them is usually through referrals from friends or fellow business associates who operate a business similar in size and scope to yours.

There are many factors for a businessperson to consider when seeking a management consultant. A tanning salon owner/manager is usually the entrepreneurial type who may have expertise in his particular industry or service. Yet, he may lack familiarity with established techniques in the day-to-day management of a salon. The other option also may exist—an owner/manager who has a general knowledge of business management, yet lacks experience in tanning.

Daily operations of a salon can become very hectic and time consuming. The owner/manager may know his existing shortfalls and not have time in his over-scheduled day to resolve the ongoing problems or to make use of existing potentials.

An analysis of needs and implement-ation of appropriate programs and controls by a management consultant can smooth the operation and allow the owner time to consider the future of his business and develop its strategy. When becoming immersed in a business on a regular daily basis, it is often easy to overlook the obvious and hence fail to see the danger signs or opportunities of a business. There is a definition for this phenomenon and it is called "functional fixedness" or "behavioral set," which means the solutions to new problems are derived solely from the bias of past experience. A management consultant can offer an unbiased and new approach and offer insight to a person’s existing business.

There are many small businesses that incorporate outside accounting services in their daily program. These outside services usually provide a general check on their accounting procedures and offer help with the taxes of the business. However, it is important that every person involved in business have a general understanding of basic accounting so that when selecting a proper accountant for the business, the right questions can be asked.

Certified Public Accountants are licensed and tested to ensure their basic abilities. It is wise for you to talk with an accountant, in person, before making a commitment. If an accountant is vague, or speaks only in the jargon of IRS code sections, search for another one who can understand and answer your questions.

It is also wise to make sure that the accountant is familiar with your size and type of business. The fact that his clients may include large corporations is of no benefit to you.