News

Officeheads Is Hiring!

2013-05-19T12:47:14Z

Officeheads is seeking a highly skilled Bookkeeper to join our growing team

YOU
An energetic, enthusiastic and ambitious individual with deep experience as a bookkeeper. You are ready, willing and able to tackle a different type of project every day and you are unfazed by the need for extreme multitasking. You are eager to learn new things and you accept constructive guidance – you are not set in your ways, but you are also not adrift without constant direction. You are relentlessly focused on details and results, you despise excuses no matter where they are coming from, you don't shy away from hard work, and you enjoy flexible hours. You take pride in being trusted to deliver innovative solutions for a demanding team and an even more demanding client base. You love working with people, be they clients or coworkers, and especially love fixing problems and finding better ways to do things.

US
We are an number-crazy team of business strategists, accountants and bookkeepers providing operational strategies and back office services to start-ups and small staffed offices. We are a high energy group of professionals who pride ourselves on doing things better, smarter and more efficiently with each day gone by. We provide back office services to small businesses including operations/process management, financial management, and administrative support; we forge deep relationships with our clients and always strive to go the extra mile. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of thoroughness and service, realizing that communication is as important as results for our clients. We don't accept excuses and expect great things from each and every one of our team members.

THE GIG
You will be joining the Officeheads team as a Transactional Bookkeeper responsible for providing bookkeeping services to Officeheads’ clients. You will receive day-to-day management from senior financial managers and strategists working directly for clients on financial management projects. You will be expected to make the most of all features of QuickBooks Pro as well as utilizing intense custom Excel models as dictated by the needs of the primary financial manager and their clients. Opportunities for career growth and promotions abound in this high-energy/high-growth environment for those team members that show true dedication to purpose.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Transactional bookkeeping (payables, receivables, payroll, reconciliation and reporting) to entrepreneurial business owners and senior financial management staff
Documentation of daily activities and regular communication with clients
Management of monthly financial tasks for multiple client projects

CAPABILITIES

Excellent communication skills :: written and oral
Advanced knowledge of QuickBooks (Pro for Windows, for Mac and Online)
Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Excel
Proficient Internet skills :: including online services such as Salesforce, DropBox, and Skype
Willing to work from client locations, when necessary

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Proficient basic computer and Microsoft Office skills
Proficient in use of email and Internet
Excellent numeracy skills
QWERTY keyboard skills
Proficient skills with basic office equipment (printer, scanner, fax, phones, etc.)

A FEW THINGS ESSENTIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS

You must be helpful to your teammates; you should have the patience to share your experience with the team and to similarly accept input and guidance with a never ending supply of professionalism and courtesy.
You must be disciplined enough to manage your list of tasks with minimal oversight, yet team focused enough to rally around your coworkers and help each other through tough situations.
You must understand that you are ultimately responsible for your work and you must own that responsibility.
You must be a committed member of our team that demonstrates ambition each day.

A FEW THINGS TO ENSURE YOUR FAILURE

Showing up late and/or leaving early.
Not communicating effectively and continuously, both internally and with clients.
Ignoring instructions.
Blowing deadlines.
Refusing to evolve and learn new skills, from day one.
Not doing something because you've convinced yourself that it's "someone else's job".

THE PROMISE
You will be joining an entrepreneurial, growth oriented company who loves to promote from within; your career path is wide open. Provided you show us drive, commitment and consistent performance, a position on our team can grow in ways that few other small businesses can offer.

INTERESTED?
Take the First Step by submitting an online Application.

Officeheads, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and works in compliance with both federal and state laws. We are committed to the concept of Equal Employment opportunity. Qualified candidates will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation/identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition or disability.

Officeheads is Back!

2013-01-07T19:43:33Z

.Officeheads Is Back.

And better than ever!

After a one year pause to study IT operations, Officeheads has reopened its Evanston doors to provide operational strategies and back office services to small and medium sized companies. We are so thankful to return to our roots and are excited to once again design and manage customized processes to run boutique operations that liberate business owners to do what they love to do.

.Love Your Company.

Since January is often a month filled with resolutions for positive change and commitment to new directions, we are jumping up and down to shout, “Officeheads wants to help!”

It is officially Love Your Company Month! Between now and February 14^th (the official day of love), Officeheads is offering a free Financial Management Profile to all prospective clients. This assessment is a $300 value that rates the health of your current financial management practices and suggests potential improvements.

.Wee Whoo Let's Go.

It is an understatement to say that we are jazzed about our return, and are equally as excited for the anticipated outcomes of Officeheads’ 2013 resolutions.

Give us a call today to schedule your free Financial Management Profile assessment. Let us help you move your company forward. Because we are Officeheads! We've got your business on the brain!

Officeheads is Hiring!

2011-09-06T13:00:00Z

Officeheads/Apogee Strategies is seeking an ambitious Business Support/Admin Assistant to join our team at the River North location

YOU
An energetic, enthusiastic and ambitious individual with some experience as an office manager, administrative assistant or bookkeeper. You are ready, willing and able to tackle a different type of project every day and you are unfazed by the need for extreme multitasking. You're eager to learn new things and you accept constructive guidance - you're not set in your ways, but you're also not adrift without constant direction. You are relentlessly focused on details and results, you despise excuses no matter where they are coming from and you don't shy away from hard work or long hours. You take pride in being trusted to deliver innovative solutions for a demanding team and an even more demanding client base. You love working with people, be they customers or coworkers, and especially love fixing problems and finding better ways to do things.

US
We are an innovative team of business consultants providing operational strategies and back office services to small and mid size offices, with a strong foundation in IT. We are a high energy group of consulting professionals who pride ourselves on doing things better, smarter and more efficiently with each day gone by. We provide back office support to small businesses and associations, including operations/process management, event management, administrative support, bookkeeping and end-to-end technology support; we forge deep relationships with our clients and always strive to go the extra mile. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of thoroughness and service, realizing that communication is as important as results for our clients. We don't accept excuses and expect great things from each and every one of our team members.

THE GIG
You will be joining the CAPS/Officeheads/Apogee team as a Junior Business Support Associate, responsible for providing support services to CAPS and Officeheads consultants and clients. You will receive day-to-day management from consultants - sometimes you will be supporting their consulting work for clients, while on other days you will be working directly for clients on administrative or bookkeeping projects. You will be expected to learn new technologies and skills on the job as dictated by the needs of the consulting team and their clients. Opportunities for career growth and promotions abound in this high-energy/high-growth environment for those team members that show true dedication to purpose.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

High-level administrative support to entrepreneurial business owners; and senior/associate staff
Manage and maintain calendars and appointments
Record, transcribe and distribute meeting minutes
General clerical :: reception, data entry, filing, scanning, ordering
Basic editorial :: review documents for basic grammatical errors
Basic web-based updates :: social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
Transactional bookkeeping :: manage payables and receivables (QuickBooks)
Facilities management :: office supplies, kitchen, office furniture
Other office duties assigned by client need -- in office and offsite at client locations

CAPABILITIES

Excellent communication skills :: written and oral
Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office :: specifically Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Proficient knowledge of QuickBooks
Proficient Internet skills :: including online services such as MailChimp, ConstantContact, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook
Ability to conduct research when given the opportunity
Willing to work from both office locations, client locations, plus travel domestically and internationally for several days at a time

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Currently in college or holds a college diploma
Proficient basic computer and Microsoft Office skills :: Microsoft Excel skills are a plus.
Proficient skills with basic office equipment :: printer, scanner, fax, phones, etc.
Proficient in use of email and Internet
Good numeracy skills
QWERTY keyboard skills

A FEW THINGS ESSENTIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS

You must be helpful to your team mates :: you should have the patience to share your experience with the team and to similarly accept input and guidance with a never ending supply of professionalism and courtesy.
You must be disciplined enough to manage your list of tasks with minimal oversight, yet team focused enough to rally around your coworkers and help each other out through tough situations.
You must understand that you are ultimately responsible for your work and you must own that responsibility.
You must be a committed member of our team that demonstrates ambition each day.

A FEW THINGS TO ENSURE YOUR FAILURE

Showing up late and/or leaving early, this ain't no 9 to 5 shop.
Not communicating effectively and continuously, both internally and with customers.
Ignoring instructions.
Blowing deadlines.
Refusing to evolve and learn new skills, from day one.
Not doing something because you've convinced yourself that it's "someone else's job".

THE PROMISE
You will be joining an energetic, growth oriented company who loves to promote from within; your career path is wide open. Provided you show us drive, commitment and consistent performance, a position on our team can grow in ways that few other small businesses can offer.

INTERESTED?
Take the First Step Here.

OTHER STUFF
You will have access to company sponsored training and bonus compensation opportunities. Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance and 401(k) programs are available.

Apogee Strategies LLC is an equal opportunity employer and works in compliance with both federal and state laws. We are committed to the concept of Equal Employment opportunity. Qualified candidates will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation/identity, national origin, marital status, medical condition or disability.

Officeheads, Inc. and Apogee Strategies LLC, Complete Combination; Berneck is Welcomed as New Principal.

2011-09-05T15:56:21Z

Officeheads and Apogee Strategies Complete Combination
Officeheads and Apogee Strategies are pleased to announce the combination of the two firms. The combined entity, using the name Apogee Strategies LLC, will maintain an Evanston office presence in addition to the combined Chicago headquarters. Officeheads' President and Founder, Rebecca Berneck, is pleased to be joining as a Principal of Apogee Strategies. The combined entity can now offer clients a complete back office solution, including operations/process management, administrative support, bookkeeping and, of course, technology. In addition, Rebecca brings years of experience in branding, marketing and social media, adding to the deep capabilities of Apogee's existing Association Management and Conference Planning subsidiary Conference & Publication Services, LLC.

Berneck is Welcomed as New Principal
Rebecca Berneck is now Apogee's Director of Consulting and Client Relationships, in addition to overseeing the integration of Officeheads services and clients into the Apogee family. Rebecca will focus on working with the Client Service and Support teams to ensure that the services we deliver to the combined base of customers are true to our guiding principles: to provide comprehensive, leading edge solutions; to deliver a concierge-like service experience; and to be a trusted advisor to our customers.

More About Apogee Strategies
Apogee Strategies LLC, formed in 2000, is an information systems resource offering advanced technical and development solutions in information technology, systems and software for small to midsize businesses in a wide range of industry and service segments. Apogee builds collaborative partnerships with our clients to provide comprehensive, leading edge information systems and services. Apogee's services are based on our four value pillars: Expand Knowledge; Improve Efficiency; Increase Effectiveness; and Reduce Technology Program Costs. Apogee delivers the Virtual Office suite of integrated services to clients from our private cloud, often combined with remote and onsite support services delivered by Apogee's team of support technicians and engineers. Apogee clients choose Apogee because of the quality of our team, our reputation for superior customer service and our ability to understand the unique needs of their particular industries and businesses.
www.apogeestrategies.com- Derek Huyser 312.327.2220

More about Conference & Publication Services, LLC.
CAPS was formed in 1979 to meet the conference planning, execution and publication needs of business, government, academia and non-profits. Since 1979, CAPS has worked with a variety of clientele both domestically and internationally, creating and managing unique meetings, workshops, conferences and corporate events. Since that time, CAPS has expanded the service offering to include complete Association Management, including membership, sponsorship, outreach, operations, finance, communication and events. CAPS is an innovative team of association and event management consultants committed to client success. CAPS is a true single resource for association, conference and event management.
www.capsllc.net- Traci Wei 312.372.1255

New business = New business needs: Why you should outsource

2011-04-06T17:20:21Z

You were fed up.
You worked at a desk for another person. Spent hours being delegated useless tasks. Counted down the days until the weekend, and then the next paycheck. And you spent a ton of energy appearing too busy just to appease your boss.

Then, you wised up.
And quit. You had big ideas and were sick of not being able to act on them. And you wanted the control of being the boss. So you started your own business.

Now you’re riding high. You’re the boss; you make all the big (and small) decisions. Every detail needs a “go ahead” or a “not so fast” from you. And it doesn’t take you long to realize that being the sole decision maker for your company is as time-consuming as it is rewarding. The little things are adding up and you need help, but you can’t afford to hire full-time staff just yet.

So what now?
Outsource.

Outsource? You can’t outsource! You didn’t jump the corporate ship in search of complete freedom just to relinquish control over your new business to strangers. Besides, what do they know anyway? Your ideas are unique and complex; you don’t have time to break down your every detail to someone who isn’t as invested as you are.

But you can’t do it all.
Well, with outsourcing, you can do it all. And the first thing you can do is let go of the fear of letting go. Having a few extra sets of hands isn’t losing control; it’s a little something that businesses owners do – delegate.

We know that you are totally capable of being, at the very least, proficient (maybe even great) at all aspects of your new business. But face it: there are some things that are better suited to be delegated to other people that are more suited for the task.

So instead of trying to do it all on your own…
…do what you need to do, and outsource the rest.

Assessing your first quarter of 2011 (Are you on mark for reaching your goals?)

2011-03-15T13:14:03Z

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or a newbie, quarterly assessments are vital. When you sit down and survey these past three months, remember that taking inventory goes beyond the numbers. Hopefully, this post will provide you with some good jumping off points at whatever level you’re at in your entrepreneurial quest.

Rookies

Congrats on the decision to go into business for yourself! The first quarter in business is a rocky ride; every day is a brand new learning experience. How you handle the curve directly affects everything you do from now on. If you made a profit this early in your new business, that’s great. If not, there’s other ways to assess what you’ve accomplished. Here are a few questions to get you started.

Did I make a profit? Break even? Am I in the red?
How many clients do I have? Were my rates competitive with the market, too high or too low?
How were my marketing efforts? What worked and what didn’t?
How do my products/services compare to what’s already out on the market?

Second-year starters

You’re wrapping up the first quarter of year two. You no longer make the rookie mistakes of a first-time brand-new entrepreneur. After a year of being in business, you’ve come to expect a bumpy ride. But this time around, you’re more prepared for the kooky situations and the head-scratching clients. Your set of questions looks something like this.

Did I reach my profit goal? Am I satisfied with my sales percentages? What can I do to improve them?
How can I improve my product to better serve my existing clients? How can I enhance my services to attract new clients? What specializations can I do within my current services that I can charge a higher rate for?
What percentage of my total income is coming from my current marketing efforts and what’s from referrals? Do I want to continue investing in marketing or focus more on getting business through word-of-mouth?

Year three and beyond

The veterans. No more slippery rocks; you’re footing is firm and you’ve found a strange comfort within the sometimes chaotic life of an entrepreneur. You’ve got a few employees, you’re solid in your foundation and you’re ready to move up the ladder. Here’s what you need to consider.

What did the numbers say: profit or not? Did I reach my profit goals?
Am I pleased with my employees? How can I compel new people to join my team? What changes do I need to make in my current staff to have continued growth?
Is it time to re-evaluate my marketing strategies? Or do I need to add more services/products to bump the company to the next level?

These are all starting points when considering your first quarter gains and losses. When you sit down to assess your first quarter of 2011, look at every aspect of your company. Because each action, each step and certainly every destination reached plays its part in your bottom line.

5 Tips to prepare for tax season

2011-03-07T15:18:27Z

We felt the collective eye roll, but it’s that time. We at Officeheads would be doing a disservice if we didn’t discuss taxes. Since you can’t avoid it, or die of boredom via line-by-line instructions, let’s just cut the excuses and get started.

Tip 1: Step away from the ledge

Maybe your record-keeping wasn’t perfect. Or maybe it was, but you still get that sinking feeling come March or April. We realize that you didn’t become a freelance marketing consultant to be a part-time bookkeeper. But taxes are something – no matter what career – that must get done, and the best way to do them does not include a panic attack. So take a deep breath, open your files and start going over the past twelve months by seeing where you stand.

Tip 2: Sort through receipts, invoices, stubs and spreadsheets

Figure out exactly how much money you made and spent. If you kept track of incomes and expenses on spreadsheets, double check them with actual invoices, check stubs, bills and receipts. Then, double check it again.

Tip 3: Rule-breakers beware

Everyone knows the two non-breakable tax rules: File them. Pay them. Yet as you sift through all the intimidating forms and pages of line-by-line instructions, you may see that there are advantages to being an entrepreneur. As a business owner (big or small), you’ve got some serious advantages. Research the deductions you get for being a business owner, and educate yourself on exactly how much of your income is taxable. The more you know, the more you save in the short and long term.

Tip 4: Get a second opinion

All the forms are complete and the check is ready to be mailed. You kick your feet up, lean back because you think you’re finished. Not so fast. We applaud your confidence, but we suggest you stay on the safe side and talk to a financial professional. More specifically, get an accountant. Worse-case scenario: they reassure you of your vast knowledge of tax laws. Best case? They find that you missed thousands in deductions, or that you made a crucial error that could net an unexpected five-figure bill a year down the line. Either way, win for all.

Tip 5: Celebrate…and start planning for next year

You’re alive! You made it though the eye-glazing tasks of reading dreadfully small-type forms, recording and re-recording dollars and cents, and a meeting with an accountant. Bust out the sparkling apple juice, and start creating a spreadsheet with income and expenses for 2011. The earlier you start thinking about next year, the easier it’ll be when that time comes. Better yet; get yourself a bookkeeper to do the dirty work for you. That way you can focusing more on running your business, not working in it.

Time in a bottle

2011-02-16T14:42:40Z

“If only there were more hours in a day...”
You’ve heard it. You’ve said it. And you get it. Time is constant; it slows down for no one. It’s tough to fit in everything you need to do for work, home and life in a day sometimes. But instead of thinking about how quickly time can move (and how much you can’t get done because of it), consider this: what can you do in five minutes?

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
What’s five minutes to you? Reading and returning one email. Speaking with one customer over the phone. Reorganizing a small file. Reading through a marketing campaign. Editing a short proposal for an investor.

If you do all the “it only takes five minutes” tasks, you’ll eventually reach the end of your day wondering where that time went. And then? You’ll be shaking you head, saying “If only there were more hours in a day...”

Creativity and ticking clocks
A well-run organization gives its employees the time necessary to be creative. Workers who are allowed to be creative are more driven towards your goals. Their focus will be more on moving your company forward, not proofreading a short email.

Whether you’re a small start-up or a big corporation, you could deal with a few less administrative tasks and a couple more moments of creative expression. If you had the gift of more time, what would you do with it?

Customizing a solution

2011-02-09T14:56:18Z

A company takes on the personality of its head honcho. But what happens when you, the man-or-woman in charge, needs to contract out work to keep the company moving forward? Your company is an extension of you and deserves special treatment; don’t settle for anything less than a custom solution.

Each leader is different; each company unique
Maybe you’re an improver :: making the world better through your product or service. You need workers who have the same passion for bettering the universe. Or maybe you’re a visionary :: curious about the world’s workings, and you’re always thinking about the future in relation to your business. You need to work with forward-thinking individuals who are on the same wavelength.

When Officeheads work with a company, we take into account the nature of the leader and the vibe of the business. We encourage you to be the quirky individual leading your unorthodox tribe of worker bees. Are you a fireball that’s full of life, energy and optimism? Then build your dream team void of folks who are lifeless and dull.

Custom solutions
Who your company is comes out in every call with a customer and every email to a partner. When you hire employees or contract out tasks to other companies, your voice still needs to come across loud and clear. Marketing materials need to be draped in your business’ personality. Emails should have YOU written all over them.

So don’t settle for less than 100% you when it comes to your business. You jumped into entrepreneurship because you were tired of your passions and ideas being muzzled :: stifling your personality which turned your unparalleled concepts into dime-a-dozen schemes. Only work with people who “get it”; workers need to be able to comfortably operate in your custom solutions.

Don’t be afraid to be special
We’ve all got something that makes us a bit peculiar. Running the show professionally gives us the leverage to swing from our own ropes. So don’t settle for cookie-cutter business operations and ho-hum workers. Embrace your uniqueness and share it with your clients.

So you tell us :: we are dying to know what makes you special. What customized solutions do you need for your business?

Operational nirvana: achieving control

2011-02-02T13:57:00Z

What can go wrong running a business? Wrong question. What can’t go wrong running a business? That’s more like it. Companies, especially new ones, aren’t always as prepared for smooth sailing, let alone a hurricane. An overlooked voicemail, a wrong day and time for an important meeting, or a new phone contract can all loosen the screws in a well-oiled machine.

Once you lose the birds flitting about your head from a business sucker-punch, realize that some red tape and barriers doesn’t have to completely destroy what you’ve created. Rest assured, operational nirvana can be achieved. That doesn’t mean that you won’t experience any problems; a few road blocks here and there are great learning experiences that can help you improve upon your processes. When you let them run you off the road? That’s when the wheels come off.

We want to help you put yourself in the position of being able to handle the challenge. And the way we like to help our people get on track is through outsourcing.

Road block: Your business has outgrown your employees. You’ve overwhelmed and can’t keep up with all the new projects. You miss a deadline. Then another one. Uh oh.

Outsourcing solution: Administrative Einstein. They’ll do all the things taking you away from completing projects on time like answer phones, return non-important emails, follow up with clients and scheduling your meetings, file, organize.

Road block: The mail arrives and it goes in a pile until you can get to it. And you will get to it. Until you forget to get to it. Then in the middle of the night you startle awake with a faint recollection that your annual report had been sitting for months. Did you miss another deadline?

Outsourcing solution: Bookkeeper extraordinaire. They keep track of your payables, receivables, and your important corporate and tax filing deadlines.

Roadblock: Your website’s bounce rate is embarrassing and getting worse each day. And the Adwords account you created is costing you more than it’s making you.

Outsourcing solution: Marketing geek. It’s 2011; and the majority of marketers today know that to make it in this business, you’ve got to be web savvy. Drab landing pages and flat-lined Adwords campaigns are a financial drain. A quality marketer can get you back on track with a new website and top-rate campaign.

See? It’s not that scary dealing with challenges in a new (or not-so-new) business. So don’t pull your hair out in horror. Take it one catastrophe at a time, and you’ll see that it can be done.