Meet Lauren Mantia one of our 2023 Top 25 Up-N-Coming Proadvisors
Lauren LaMantia
She and her team over at LaLa Accounting Software Support specialize in QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Advanced Report Development (QBAR) - just to name a few. They assist small to mid-size businesses with all their accounting and software needs.
About 22 years ago, she was the client! Working on data migration for a company going from Sage 50 to QuickBooks Enterprise. The company she hired said that she didn't need help and thought to herself, maybe this is something that she can explore! She's a people person and finds helping others the most gratifying.
We sat down with Lauren to get her thoughts on being a 2023 Top 25 Up-N-Coming ProAdvisor, her journey, path to success and going above and beyond for her clients.
Give us a snapshot of your business.
LaLa Accounting Software Support
My team and I specialize in QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Advanced Report Development (QBAR), QuickBooks Data Conversions, Data Migrations, Data Cleanup, Data Repairs, Training, Consulting and General Support - to name a few. We assist small to mid-size businesses with all their accounting and software needs.
Share your personal journey in the accounting industry
Accounting/QuickBooks was not on my radar growing up to pursue as a career. I was blessed in the start, this job turned into a career when a mentor took me under her wing and showed me the consulting ropes as well as accounting principles. Because I don't have a formal degree the learning curve might have taken me longer; however, the process was an enjoyable personal challenge. My hardest lesson/challenge is remembering that a clients emergency shouldn't become mine to bear the weight of. I have to be mindful there's only so much time in a day and if my day is already booked I should not add their stress of the workload to become my problem.
Why did you become a QuickBooks ProAdvisor?
It is a proud badge of honor. Feeling like I belong to a group of professionals that represent a prestigious product - Sign me up! The benefits of having features/enhancements at my fingertips to improve knowledge is invaluable to me.
What are your main goals for yourself or your business for 2024?
Hire and coach a few more consultants that share the same goals and aspirations..
Are there any notable trends or changes you've observed in the accounting industry?
Instead of focusing on the changes/trends, we try to be proactive vs reactive with educating ourselves with our client challenges and roll with the evolution as it comes our way.
Share your thoughts on how these trends may impact accounting professionals.
Either professionals want to resist change or evolve with it. To me, what doesn't evolve may 'die' or become irrelevant. We try to adhere to changes and maximize our knowledgebase with whatever comes along with them.
What are some best practices that have contributed to the success of your firm?
Do the right thing and be a good person in life in general. Integrity is everything. If we can help someone quick, let's do it.
Discuss any innovative approaches or strategies that have proven effective.
We always strive to help the issue at hand before upselling or addressing other area's that our prospects/clients might need to focus on. To date, I've spent zero dollars marketing/advertising and find it hard to keep up with the influx of referrals we receive.
What are some common challenges that accounting firms face, and how does your firm address them?
Not sure about other firms, but the challenge I have is finding enough time in a day to continue education, keep up with the webinars that we should be tending to while keeping up with our clients/workload. It's a great problem to have!
What are your insights into overcoming obstacles and adapting to industry changes?
Planning and Project Management. We have taken necessary steps to have our internal processes documented so we aren't always re-inventing the wheel. Organization and calendar management for me is key.
Are there any particularly rewarding client experiences or success stories?
Every client we touch, big or small is a successful story. From a new client with a brand new startup getting them confident on their operations as it pertains to QB to the seasoned multiple business owner we've assisted with the sale of their company(ies) - each is a success story that feels equally as gratifying.
How does your firm add value to clients beyond traditional accounting services?
We go above and beyond in any way we can. Just last week a gal needed some referrals for some general local things like a CPA referral, business broker, etc - we get them in touch with who we know even if it doesn't help US at all.
Get in touch with Lauren at these links:
