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By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog0 commentsIt always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
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By nptrb
It’s no secret that time is limited as an auto repair shop owner.
Between diagnosing complex engine issues to managing your mechanics and creating a five-star customer experience, there’s often little time left to focus on your financials.
But what happens when tax season rolls around, and you’re forced to buckle down on organizing your records and preparing your returns?
At Three Rivers Bookkeeping, we know the needs of your auto repair business from the inside out. You’re dealing with parts inventory, labor costs, shop equipment, and fluctuating busyness. Navigating the intricacies of tax filing on top of all that can be a real headache.
That’s why we’ve put together these practical tax tips to help you simplify the filing process! Follow these steps to get your financial house in order before the tax deadline on April 15th!
Tax Tip #1: Organized Record-Keeping (From Day One!)
This might sound obvious, but organized records are the foundation of stress-free tax filing.
Don’t wait until January to start sifting through a shoebox full of receipts. And if you’re reading this in April, remember to start getting organized now for next year!
Implement a consistent system for tracking all your income and expenses throughout the year.
Here’s a framework to follow to keep your records organized in your auto repair shop.
Separate Business and Personal Finances: This is crucial. Keep your business bank accounts and credit cards strictly for business transactions. This makes it significantly easier to track income and deductible expenses.
Categorize Everything: Establish clear categories for your income (e.g., labor, parts sales, diagnostics) and expenses (e.g., parts purchases, payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, marketing, shop supplies). Use accounting software or even well-organized spreadsheets to do this consistently.
Document Everything: Your records should be kept to the same standards as your shop schedule and organized and clear! Track your invoices, parts receipts, bank statements, credit card statements, and payroll records — no matter how small the cost! Every bit matters.
Track Mileage: If you or your employees use personal vehicles for business purposes (e.g., picking up parts, making service calls), keep a detailed mileage log. This should include the date, purpose of the trip, starting and ending mileage.
Organized records make it easier to identify deductible expenses, accurately calculate your income, and prepare your tax forms. This will save you tons of time and effort during filing season.
Tax Tip #2: Don’t Be Afraid to Leverage Technology
Technology is your best friend when it comes to efficiently managing the finances in your auto repair business. If you’re still relying on manual spreadsheets and a spare notebook, it’s time to swap them out for accounting software that is designed specifically for small businesses.
We recommend QuickBooks Online because it streamlines all of the important areas in business, including:
Your financial tracking process Automated reports Invoicing Payments Payroll You can even connect it to your bank accounts and credit cards to make importing transactions and categorization a hands-free task.
Tax Tip #3: Know Your Deductions
Your deductions can make or break you during tax season, which is why it’s critical for you to understand them! As an auto repair shop, your needs are very different from other service-based businesses.
Knowing what you can deduct is key to minimizing your tax liability.
Here is a checklist of common deductions specifically for the auto repair industry:
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Labor Costs Rent and Utilities Insurance Vehicle and Equipment Expenses Shop and Office Supplies Marketing and Advertising Professional Fees
Tax Tip #4: Plan Ahead and Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
If you find yourself frantically scrambling at tax season, planning ahead WILL help! Make tax season simple by staying organized, having financial systems in place, and relying on automated software.
Navigating your bookkeeping and tax filing on your own can be time-consuming and lead to costly errors.
If you want to leave your tax filing to the professionals, we’d love to help!
Three Rivers Bookkeeping specializes in working with auto repair shops, so you can rest assured during tax season.
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By Joe Marconi
From what I see, from shop owner friends and clients, 2025 is starting off as a better year than 2024.
What are you seeing in your neck of the woods?
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By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network Recorded at the 45th annual Mobile Air Climate Systems Conference (MACS 2025) in Orlando, Florida, discover the importance of NASTF in bridging the gap between OEs and independents. Donny Seyfer also shares insights on empowering teams, today's technology impact, and the importance of mentorship. Donny Seyfer, NASTF, Listen to Donny’s previous episodes HERE. Show Notes Watch Full Video Episode MACS Training Event & Trade Show: https://macsmobileairclimate.org/ National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF): https://wp.nastf.org/ Koura: https://www.kouraglobal.com/ Honeywell: https://www.honeywell.com/us/en NASTF (00:00:00) Donnie's Career Background (00:02:56) Memorable Experience with STEM Students (00:03:19) New Product Development Announcement (00:07:18) Challenges in Product Development (00:08:41) Optimism in Facing Challenges (00:09:15) Team Collaboration in Writing (00:12:25) Hiring for Strengths (00:12:34) Balancing Roles as a Visionary (00:13:01) Importance of Language in the Industry (00:14:25) Changing Habits in Language Usage (00:15:29) Pivots in Business Strategy (00:20:03) Impact of Technology (00:22:38) AI in Communication (00:23:53) Time Management Strategies (00:26:59) Finding Your Zone (00:28:13) Dream Cars and Personal Projects (00:29:02) Creating a Safe Work Environment (00:32:43) The Power of "I Don't Know" (00:33:39) The Power of Mentoring (00:35:46) Mentors at Different Levels (00:36:35) The Secret to Finding Mentors (00:37:20) Peer Mentoring (00:38:12) Personal Insights (00:38:21)
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care, NAPA TRACS and Automotive Management Network Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Get ready to grow your business with the Automotive Management Network: Find on the Web at http://AftermarketManagementNetwork.com for information that can help you move your business ahead and for the free and informative http://LaborRateTracker.com Connect with the Podcast: -Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/ -Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club: https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmasters -Join Our Private Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976 -Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriotto -Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/ -Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/ -Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RResultsBiz -Visit the Website: https://remarkableresults.biz/ -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/ Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/ Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/ The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/ The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/ Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/ Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
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By Joe Marconi
I want wish everyone the very best this holiday Season, and a prosperous and healthy 2025 and beyond!
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By nptrb
There’s less than one month left in 2024. Is the bookkeeping for your automotive business up to date?
If you’re anything like us, you feel like this year flew by in the blink of an eye. It’s time to ensure that your books and reports are squared away as this year comes to an end.
In this blog post, we share important steps to start the new year on a healthy financial footing.
Reconcile bank and credit card statements.
Reconciling your automotive business’s credit card and bank statements at year-end is crucial for accurate financial reporting and tax preparation.
By reconciling, you ensure all transactions are accounted for, identify discrepancies, and prevent errors that could lead to costly penalties.
Review your yearly income statement.
Close out the year with a clear understanding of your income by reviewing your yearly income statement.
Throughout your review, confirm that all of your transactions are properly categorized. Identify if there are any transactions in the miscellaneous/uncategorized account or “Ask My Accountant”.
Compare this year’s statement to the previous year’s statement for growth patterns and revenue increases. And don’t forget to calculate the gross profit percentage of net revenue.
Review your yearly balance sheet.
Analyzing and adjusting your yearly balance sheet can help you identify trends and assess your automotive business’s current financial position.
A thorough review helps you understand your business’s liquidity, solvency, and overall financial performance so you can make informed decisions in the upcoming year.
Evaluate the following three categories on your yearly balance sheet to confirm prime accuracy.
Your assets Your liabilities Your equity When reviewing each of these categories, ensure that all transactions are accurate and correctly recorded in the appropriate accounts.
Additionally, ensure that all adjusting entries are accounted for and all account balances make sense. Reconcile any discrepancies found.
Download our free end-of-year checklist.
Now that you’re ready to tackle your year-end review, we’d love to offer a free resource to support you.
When you download our free end-of-year checklist, you’ll have peace of mind that all of your bases are covered for a healthy and bright 2025!
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