Shor Solutions

Shor Solutions Hi,

My name is Ben Shor, and I provide QuickBooks training in Yavapai and Coconino Counties and throughout Northern Arizona.
(18)

Small business consulting, including bookkeeping, QuickBooks training, project management, organizational skill development, systemization, and problem solving. I understand small businesses, as I am a small business owner, and have worked for small businesses and non-profits all of my working life. For over 20 years, as the owner of Shor Solutions, I have worked with over 300 individuals and smal

l businesses. I have helped a wide variety of businesses to master QuickBooks, including retail, wholesale, lodging, real estate, artists, contractors, manufacturers, schools, non-profits, and many other types of organizations. My specialty is teaching QuickBooks. Training is usually done in two to three hour increments, individually or as a group. Total training time will vary, depending on individual needs. If you are already familiar with QuickBooks, and simply have some specific questions that need answering, often a single two-hour session is all that is required. Other individuals know little or nothing about QuickBooks. They may need assistance choosing and purchasing the right QuickBooks version. I will assist them in making their purchase at the lowest cost, installing it on their computer, and teaching them how to use it. Training for this type of client may take a total of six to nine hours, spread over three to four sessions. I will adjust my training to fit your needs. As a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, I am very familiar with QuickBooks Pro, Premier, Online, and QuickBooks for Mac. If you need help with bookkeeping issues using QuickBooks, Quicken, or your own manual system of bookkeeping, I can also be of assistance. In addition, I offer other business services, such as time and project management, setting up business systems, and organizational skills training. Please contact me for a free consultation. Visit my website www.ShorSolutions.com for news and updates regarding QuickBooks, bookkeeping, and business management.

• Why Organization Skills Are ImportantI am sharing this good article that was written by Angie Gentry, which is about t...
05/05/2025

• Why Organization Skills Are Important

I am sharing this good article that was written by Angie Gentry, which is about the importance of being organized.

Small business owners are required to wear many hats. This means having to balance many tasks efficiently and effectively. If a business' systems are not properly organized, tasks pile up, paperwork gets lost and valuable time is spent on finding information that should be readily available. Good organizational skills can save a business owner time and reduce stress.

Time is Money
Disorganized business owners may find themselves searching through piles of paperwork for that one invoice, bank statement or human resources file. This problem can extend to the virtual office as well. Using neatly organized folders to keep track of important bills or emails, for example, can save time. Good organizational skills can free up much-needed minutes every day for you to spend on more important tasks.

Keeps the Taxman Happy
At tax time, finding the appropriate documents can be stressful and time-consuming for a disorganized business owner. Missing documents can even turn into a legal hassle if the company undergoes an audit. Filing receipts, invoices and statements properly, and using basic accounting software to track sales, expenses and receivables, will make the entrepreneur (and his accountant) much happier at tax time.

Planning the Cash Flow
Organization is the root of a good financial management program. Systems that monitor receivables can help business owners keep track of their money and plan cash flow. With no system for organizing sales and invoices, balances can go unpaid without notice. If vendors aren't paid and the supply chain shuts down due to a delinquent balance, business suffers. Staying on top of how much money is going in and out can help the owner make adjustments to reduce spending or increase sales.

Winning Repeat Business
Problems with organization can lead to a drop in customer service. For example, if an online store's order processing system is not properly organized, customers may not receive orders on time. Customer satisfaction is the key to earning repeat business, and if the company is not well organized in this area, revenue will also suffer. Poor billing systems can potentially result in customers being charged multiple times for one item or not at all, which is also bad for business.

Reducing Stress and Overwhelm
Working in an unorganized environment can make a business owner and employees feel constantly on edge. Not knowing where to look for information, sorting through unorganized paperwork and dealing with the consequences of poor organization create a stressful workplace. That stress may extend into the rest of a business owner's life and lead to job burnout. Implementing good organization systems can help reduce this stress and give a business owner more time to enjoy life outside work.

In-Person and Online Seminar – April 16, 2025 - QuickBooks Online for Small BusinessOn April 16, 2025, I will be present...
03/27/2025

In-Person and Online Seminar – April 16, 2025 - QuickBooks Online for Small Business

On April 16, 2025, I will be presenting a free, two-hour seminar called QUICKBOOKS ONLINE FOR SMALL BUSINESS. It will be held in the Crystal Room at the Prescott Valley Public Library, 7401 E. Skoog Blvd., Prescott Valley, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, followed by a half hour for questions and answers. This seminar is coordinated by SCORE, and sponsored by SBDC/Yavapai College and Desert Financial Credit Union.

This seminar is for individuals who want to see how to use many of the features in QuickBooks Online. The seminar will take you step by step through the process of setting up QuickBooks Online, and show you how to efficiently use this bookkeeping software.

The seminar will review:

Some of the differences between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop

The differences between the 4 versions of QuickBooks Online
The initial set-up

Getting around in QuickBooks Online

Modifying the Chart of Accounts

Downloading and categorizing bank and credit card transactions

Adding customers, items, and , vendors

Creating estimates, invoices and sales receipts

Running reports

To register for this event, go to https://www.score.org/northernarizona/event/quickbooks-online-small-business-hybrid-0

I am sharing this good article by Erica Florentine, titled: 5 Health Benefits of Being Organized, .This morning I looked...
09/23/2024

I am sharing this good article by Erica Florentine, titled: 5 Health Benefits of Being Organized, .

This morning I looked at my desk in disgust. I haven’t cleaned it in ages, and the mess continues to grow. I tried to talk myself into getting organized to no avail, until I started considering health benefits of being organized. When there are health benefits involved in something, I instantly become far more interested. To my surprise and delight, there actually are health benefits associated with being organized, and they make the hard work of cleaning up seem totally worth it. As it would appear, by being organized and open to cleaning our homes, desks, yards, etc., we’re actually doing our bodies really good.

I’m someone who has a very difficult time keeping things clean and organized. I’d much rather watch a Netflix marathon, or read a book, or pet my dog, or do pretty much anything that involves me not cleaning. However, when things get too unorganized, I start to immediately feel overwhelmed. It’s only then that I will finally consider getting my act together and getting things in order. Now, however, I feel like there is much greater of a push to get organized then I could have imagined — and I’m about to bestow those bits of information on you as encouragement for you to clean, too. Here are five health benefits of being organized.

1) It Can Boost Your Energy

Getting organized has the ability to give you that much-needed energy boost, according to WebMD. If you’re feeling a slight slump in your day and can’t seem to shake it, try taking a few minutes to organize your desk and work area. Sort those papers that have been piling up, file your emails, throw away the garbage around you, etc. According to WebMD, taking this time to get yourself organized can help you to work more energetically for the rest of the day.

2) It Can Lead To Better Eating Habits

A study from Psychological Science found being organized can actually have a positive input on what you’re eating. Specifically, the study found people who worked in a neat space were two times as likely to pick an apple to eat versus a chocolate bar when compared to those who were working in an organized, messy work space. Want to avoid snacking on junk food at your desk? Keep it organized, and that urge to choose foods that make you feel groggy or bloated might soon diminish.

3) It Can Improve Your Sleep Habits

In need of some Zs? Aren’t we all/ Keeping yourself organized can also play a role in ensuring you’re getting a solid night of sleep each night. According to the Huffington Post, clutter in your bedroom can be stressful to you, even if you don’t realize it, causing you to lose out on precious sleep. To combat it, use this spring-cleaning time of year to overhaul your room and organize it in a neat and clutter-free manner. The outlet suggested moving items out of your room that are necessary for rest. Then, watch as your sleep habits slowly change for the better. Aside from decluttering, stay organized, too, by making your bed every morning. According to Reader’s Digest, those who make their bed report a better night’s sleep than those who don’t.

4) It Can Reduce Stress And Make Us Happier

According to Shape, a study conducted from Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found people with cluttered homes, or homes filled with unfinished projects, were more depressed, fatigued and had higher cortisol levels than their counterparts who described their homes as restful and restorative. For those who aren’t aware, cortisol is the body’s stress hormone — so when that goes up, our feelings of stress are amplified. Surely, none of us want that. Based on the study, if we want to prevent these negative effects, we should strive to keep our homes organized. According to Shape, after decluttering and organizing, you should feel happier and more relaxed.

5) It Can Lower Your Heart Attack Risk

Get this — cleaning and organizing can truly lower your risk of having a cardiovascular event, according to Reader’s Digest. The outlet reported on a Swedish study that found people who did the most yard work, housecleaning, and DIY projects had about a 30 percent lower risk of a first-time cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke versus those who were the most sedentary. Yet another excuse to get up off your rear end and get to organizing and moving. It seems cleaning can literally help save your life.

While we’ve all heard the traditional benefits of being organized — such as its ability to help up feel more productive or clear-headed — now we can see there are a few bona fide health benefits as well. With this in mind, I’m off to organize my desk, and I hope you’ll be doing the same, too.

The Importance of Good Organization Skillsby M.T. WroblewskiPeople who are super organizers -- they're often easy to spo...
10/23/2023

The Importance of Good Organization Skills
by M.T. Wroblewski

People who are super organizers -- they're often easy to spot at business meetings: they're the ones who check their electronic organizer and, if you really want to know, they can tell you exactly what appointments they had yesterday, what assignments they have due today (and at what time) and what's on tap for tomorrow. Just don't try to speak to them while they're updating their calendar or they might get snappy. They prefer to stay focused on one task at a time, and have always viewed the trend toward multitasking as one of the most misguided concepts they've ever heard of. These “uber organizers” make setting priorities look effortless -- but in truth -- it took time, commitment and discipline to hone their organizational skills. They'd probably freely admit that nobody is a “born organizer;” it's an acquired skill, and one that requires steady nurturing. This admission should come as good news to disorganized small business owners, especially when you consider that 10 dividends can flow directly from this one powerhouse ability.

Organization Breeds Focus
When you know exactly what you should spend your time doing, you're more likely to focus on that task with precision and clarity. Distractions, although irksome, serve to elongate most tasks. For this reason, people with good organizational skills tend to be “single-taskers," rather than multitaskers.

Organization Breeds Productivity
This isn't a math equation, but it could be: prioritizing + focus = greater productivity. Good organizational skills naturally feed productivity, enabling small business owners to cross off more items from their to-do lists.

Organization Breeds Efficiency
Call it “time management,” if you prefer that term to that of “efficiency,” but since organized people have developed many good habits, they tend to “work smarter.” Small business owners may decry that they “never have enough time in the day.” But organized small business owners know how to make the most of the time that they do have on the clock.

Organization Breeds Goal Attainment
Many small business owners are natural goal setters, always thinking ahead to what they want to accomplish today, tomorrow, next week, next month and beyond. People with good organizational skills are in a much better position to attain these goals.

Organization Breeds Deadline Accuracy
Good organizational skills do not dispense with the need for rushing; everybody rushes. But an organized business owner is more likely to finish that new client proposal or polish that weekend speech on time. Often, organization means the difference between finishing a task in a timely manner (even if it means rushing) and needing a new deadline.

Organization Breeds Freedom From Panic
It's called “chaos” – that running-by-the-seat-of-the-pants feeling that many people try to conceal from others. It's often triggered by “technical difficulties” such as misplaced papers, lost contact information, forgotten meeting times and missed conference calls. Highly organized people are all about eliminating technical difficulties from their lives, because they know the problems that can ensue. One important side note: organized people are not necessarily neat people. So says Julie Morgenstern, who wrote “Organizing from the Inside Out.” She told the Business Insider: “Being organized is not about being neat. You can be messy and organized, and you can be neat and disorganized."

Organization Breeds Professionalism
It's a natural surrogate of organization: an improved professional image. Although it's nice to think that people are forgiving of a harried, disorganized business owner who can never seem to show up to a meeting on time with all the documentation he needs -- the reality is that an organized person never has to worry about leaving a sloppy impression. The calm, assured professional demeanor that he projects is the real deal.

Organization Breeds Relief from Stress
Small business owners can no more avoid stress than they can add hours to the day. Stress comes with the responsibility of owning a small business. An organized business owner can significantly ratchet down the stress by eliminating the natural stressors that accompany a disorganized, disconnected and yes, sometimes, dysfunctional work life.

Organization Breeds Balance
Balance is seldom a 50-50 proposition. It may not even be 60-40 or 70-30. But an organized person is more likely to enjoy a work-life balance. How she defines balance is besides the point; it's the ability to enjoy pursuits away from the workplace that matter.

Organization Breeds Confidence
Most adults know that good things spring from confidence, including energy, enthusiasm, determination and a positive attitude. It may sound esoteric, but because organized people often feel better about themselves – they control their work life; their work life doesn't control them. Additionally, highly organized people often reap the “professional endorphins” that can create a beguiling recursive benefit stream.

I hope you liked this article by M.T. Wroblewski, and maybe it inspired you. Now if you want to become more organized, perhaps I can help you achieve that goal. Over the years I have used a number of tools that help keep me organized, and I would love to share those tools with you. Please contact me for a free consultation; and we can then discuss ways that I may be able to help you become more organized. Ben Shor, 928-451-4370, [email protected].

QuickBooks Desktop / Online ComparisonAs I work primarily with QuickBooks, I do want to mention that every year QuickBoo...
09/14/2023

QuickBooks Desktop / Online Comparison

As I work primarily with QuickBooks, I do want to mention that every year QuickBooks Online continues to improve, and I now recommend clients use this software instead of using one of the QuickBooks Desktop applications. Most of my clients can use the least expensive online version of QuickBooks, which is called QuickBooks Online Simple Start, and costs $30 a month. But for clients with a more complicated business, they will need to use QuickBooks Online Essentials, which costs $60 a month, or QuickBooks Online Plus, which costs $90 a month. The Pro Desktop version of QuickBooks costs $649, and the Premier Desktop version of QuickBooks costs $949 to purchase. You now need to renew your subscription every year so that you are able to continue downloading transactions into QuickBooks from your bank and credit card accounts.

Some of my clients, who have been using QuickBooks for years, are still using the desktop version. They haven’t wanted to convert to the online version because it was more expensive, and they would have to learn how to use the Online version, which is quite different from the Desktop version. Now that QuickBooks requires you to update the Desktop version yearly so that you are able to continue downloading transactions, the cost of updating the Desktop version is more than the cost of the Simple Start online subscription. Most of my Desktop clients have been converting to an Online version because the cost for the Desktop versions have gone up so much, and the Online versions are now more efficient than the Desktop versions.

Filing system for Managing Follow-ups:I learned this follow-up system from my uncle over 40 years ago and I have been us...
07/29/2023

Filing system for Managing Follow-ups:
I learned this follow-up system from my uncle over 40 years ago and I have been using it ever since. I worked with my uncle in a fast-paced, multi-million dollar business, where good follow-up was essential. Now as I work for myself as a QuickBooks and Quicken trainer, teaching individuals and businesses to use this effective bookkeeping software, follow-up is just as important.

In today’s digital world, there are plenty of good electronic tools for follow-up. Many people, use the Calendar and Tasks features, which are components of their email program, to list their appointments and things-to-do. The file system that is featured in this video, is a supplement to the Calendar and Task features that you and I use on our computers and cell phones.

To set up this file system, you will need 16 hanging file folders and 16 manila or colored file folders that will sit in the hanging file folders. You may want to put tabs on each hanging file folder, and for that you will need 16 tabs with paper inserts.

I hope you find this system to be very helpful in getting things done on time and following up with others. Here is the link to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHia0p6a0W4

Shor Solutions is now officially a Silver level Certified Sustainable Business, as certified by the Verde Valley Regiona...
07/04/2023

Shor Solutions is now officially a Silver level Certified Sustainable Business, as certified by the Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization.

This is what the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau posted on their website about Shor Solutions sustainable business certification.

Ben Shor’s business, Shor Solutions, is an important part of the Sedona and Verde Valley communities. He has had successful careers in marketing, social work and is now a QuickBooks consultant and teacher. Ben’s experiences have led him to creating a sustainable business. Ben is reducing waste, protecting resources and increasing efficiencies. He has a home-based business, and he owns solar panels which provide all of his electricity. Ben encourages clients and community members to recycle and reduce printing.

Here are some of the steps he has taken so far:

Energy Conservation: Ben replaces bulbs with LED. He received credit for excess solar production and covered west facing windows with UV barrier.

Waste: He recycles electronics and printer cartridges at Staples.

Water: Ben has a drip irrigation and checks it regularly. If plants die, they are replaced with drought tolerant options. He does not use disposable water bottles and has low flow toilets.

Stakeholder Engagement: Ben offers workshops through SBDC, OLLI and the Sedona Chamber of Commerce.

Ben’s leadership is advancing sustainability in the Verde Valley. Connect with Ben Shor at 928.451.4370 or email [email protected] to meet an asset to the area and get inspired to make your future sustainable.

As 2022 comes to an end, I reviewed my interactions with clients and what has changed in QuickBooks.This past year I had...
12/21/2022

As 2022 comes to an end, I reviewed my interactions with clients and what has changed in QuickBooks.

This past year I had my busiest year ever. I worked with 128 clients – 56 new clients and 72 clients who I worked with previously.

As I work primarily with QuickBooks, I do want to mention that every year QuickBooks Online continues to improve, and I now recommend clients use this software instead of using one of the QuickBooks Desktop applications. Most of my clients can use the least expensive online version of QuickBooks, which is called QuickBooks Online Simple Start, and costs $30 a month. But for clients with a more complicated business, they will need to use QuickBooks Online Essentials, which costs $55 a month, or QuickBooks Online Plus, which costs $85 a month. The price for the Pro Desktop version of QuickBooks was raised substantially this year so that it now costs $550 to purchase. And you need to update your subscription every year so that you are able to continue downloading transactions into QuickBooks from your bank and credit card accounts.

To read more about what changed in QuickBooks this past year, go to:

https://shorsolutions.com/the-year-in-review-2022/

I recently got certified for QuickBooks 2022. I have been a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor for the past nine years, and...
06/20/2022

I recently got certified for QuickBooks 2022. I have been a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor for the past nine years, and I am certified for the QuickBooks Desktop and Online versions.

To get certified, one must pass a difficult QuickBooks exam. I spent many hours looking at the QuickBooks instructional videos and reviewing the written material that QuickBooks provides to their ProAdvisors, before taking the exam.

As a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, I have telephone access to the QuickBooks technical support team. The QuickBooks technical support personnel are United States based, and they really know “their stuff.” They will spend whatever amount of time is needed to solve a problem. I occasionally reach out to them for support when I am helping a client with a QuickBooks problem that I just can't solve.

When deciding who you want to work with to teach you to use QuickBooks, I suggest that you find out whether they are a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Most bookkeepers and accountants are not QuickBooks ProAdvisors, and of those who are ProAdvisors, most are not certified. They may be good bookkeepers and accountants, but they may not know the ins and outs of using QuickBooks.

I have been training individuals and small businesses to use QuickBooks for over 20 years, and I have successfully taught over 300 individuals to use this program more effectively.

The Year in Review: 2021The beginning of each year is always very busy for me as I run year-end financial reports for ma...
01/30/2022

The Year in Review: 2021

The beginning of each year is always very busy for me as I run year-end financial reports for many of my clients in order to check for any bookkeeping errors they may have made. In addition, if needed, I assist my clients in preparing 1099s to send to all service providers that are not incorporated and were paid at least $600 in total for the year. 1099s must be sent out by January 31st.

This past year I had my best year ever. I worked with 103 clients this past year – 44 new clients and 59 clients who I worked with previously.

As my specialty is training individuals and small businesses to effectively use QuickBooks, once they are trained, many of my clients no longer need my services. However, some clients have me come monthly or every few months to help them reconcile their accounts and help them with bookkeeping issues. Other clients only have me come once a year to review their financial reports for the previous year before they send these reports to their accountant to file their taxes. And some clients I work with on a continuing basis doing their bookkeeping. I work with clients in their home or office, in my home office, or virtually using Zoom.
As I work primarily with QuickBooks, I do want to mention that every year QuickBooks Online continues to improve, and I now recommend clients use this software instead of using one of the QuickBooks Desktop applications. Most of my clients can use the least expensive online version of QuickBooks, which is called QuickBooks Online Simple Start, and costs $25 a month. But for clients with a more complicated business, they will need to use QuickBooks Online Essentials, which costs $50 a month, or QuickBooks Online Plus, which costs $80 a month. The Pro Desktop version of QuickBooks costs around $350 to purchase, and you now need to update your subscription every year so that you are able to continue downloading transactions into QuickBooks from your bank and credit card accounts.

Many of my clients, who have been using QuickBooks for years, are still using the desktop version. They haven’t wanted to convert to the online version because it was more expensive, and they would have to learn how to use the Online version, which is quite different from the Desktop version. Now that QuickBooks requires you to update the Desktop version yearly so that you are able to continue downloading transactions, the cost of updating the Desktop version is more than the cost of the Simple Start online subscription. Because of this, I think that many of my Desktop clients will convert to an Online version because of the many advantages the Online versions offers.

For individuals that have never used QuickBooks, and are ready to purchase it, I explain the differences between the Online and Desktop versions, and most of them choose to use the Online version. As I am a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and I have passed the certification exams for both the online and desktop version of QuickBooks, I feel equally comfortable teaching my clients to effectively use either of these programs.

Up until a couple of years ago, I would occasionally recommend that a client use Quicken to manage their business finances. But I stopped recommending Quicken a few years ago because my Quicken clients were having a lot of problems with this program. I used to use Quicken to track my personal finances, and I have always used QuickBooks for my business finances. But I stopped using Quicken, and switched my personal financial record keeping to QuickBooks because of problems I was having with Quicken. In the past year, I helped a few clients move from Quicken to QuickBooks.

In late 2019 I expanded my services to include helping individuals and small businesses get more organized. In early 2020, I presented seminars at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau’s administrative office and at Yavapai College. These seminars were: Using Gmail Effectively, Using Google Contacts and Calendar Effectively, Using Google Chrome Effectively. The seminars were well attended, but I stopped offering them once the pandemic started. Helping individuals and small businesses get more organized is a small part of my business (Shor Solutions), but I hope to do more of that kind of work this year.

Address

95 Hohokam Dr.
Sedona, AZ
86336

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 6pm
Sunday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+19284514370

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shor Solutions posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category