Ask HN: How does your business handle recurring administrative tasks?

5 points by jaz 10 years ago | 5 comments

Hi HN,

I've recently left my job to do (solo) consulting full time. I've found that there are a number of recurring legal and administrative tasks that I, as a business owner, need to stay on top of.

Tasks such as invoicing clients by specific dates (varies per client), filing taxes (federal estimated income, unemployment, business taxes, et al), paying the business AMEX card, renewing professional insurance and licenses, renewing certifications, paying subcontractors, filing an annual report with the secretary of state, and so on.

How are other businesses handling these tasks? A shared Outlook calendar, specialized software, something else? How effective are these solutions?

trcollinson 10 years ago |

At first I actually just kept a schedule of these things on a calendar and did them. But I often found that I "forgot" (or in reality, I just ignored them a lot because they weren't the sort of thing I wanted to work on).

Finally, I just went to a temp agency which did in house work and said I would pay someone to do all of that for me. And they do. I worked it out with them to pay a flat rate monthly to get it all done. They assigned a very studious employee to me and I contact her via email with tasks and assignments. It has worked out exceptionally well and I wouldn't have it any other way.

twunde 10 years ago |

There's a reason why many companies will have a CFO. The easiest way to get these done is to source them to dedicated personal. This can be as simple as getting an accountant/accounting service, a temp. Alternatively you can automate some of these, especially if they're recurring. I'd imagine that insurance and licenses have autopay features.

airframeng 10 years ago |

I've had the same problem. I also needed legal assistance in writing contracts between my company and my clients. My clients have more ressources (legal assistance) and therefore I would always get the shorter end of the stick.

There must be companies out there that can bundle all these services for self-employed workers.

twunde 10 years ago | |

You should have a master contract that a lawyer has looked over that you use as the basis for all contracts. There are plenty of services that you can use to get a lawyer to quickly eyeball any changes.

See https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4567884

airframeng 10 years ago | | |

Thanks!