NOTES // SBA adopts online start-up course

April 15, 2002
Byline:JAN NORMAN

The U.S. Small Business Administration has picked up the free, online entrepreneurship course created by Phil Holland of La Habra Heights, founder of Yum Yum Donuts.

The 11-session, interactive course previously had been at myownbusiness.org. Now it is accessible at www.sba.gov/ classroom . The course includes audio, quizzes, feedback and an online tool to create business plans.

Course topics include basic computer and communication tools, accounting and cash flow, e-commerce and marketing.

"We are committed to providing the best resources to small-business owners," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto, in announcing the program at the recent Conference on Women's Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century. "The SBA will continue to develop its online educational programs with innovative partners to make learning resources widely accessible."

Claudia Peters, president of My Own Business Inc., said, "We're thrilled to work with the SBA to foster entrepreneurship. Too many businesses fail due to avoidable mistakes. This course focuses on the most important areas of business for start-up and already operating businesses to achieve success."

Conference to connect firms to Internet marketing ideas
Learning to grow a business using the Internet will be the focus of a conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 27 at the Titan Student Union at California State University, Fullerton.

"Making the Connection: Branding & Marketing Through the Internet" is sponsored by the National Association of Women Business Owners- Orange County, Small Business Administration, CSUF College of Communications, state Department of General Services and Orange County Transportation Authority.

Admission, including lunch, is $35 for NAWBO members and $45 for nonmembers. The price increases $10 after Friday.

For information, call (888) 281-0001 or sign up online at http://ecommerceconf. fullerton.edu/

Watch for warning signs of internal accounting fraud
Many small-business owners falsely think their firms are immune to internal accounting fraud because of their size, the National Federation of Independent Business says.

Any business, regardless of size, is vulnerable, financial expert Jeffrey Moses said.

He gives seven warning signs of possible internal fraud:

• The bookkeeper or accountant has no direct supervision.
• The accountant refuses to follow any changes in accounting or payroll guidelines.
• The bookkeeper continually works nights, weekends and takes work home.
• The bookkeeper refuses to take vacations.
• The accountant insists on handling activities assigned to other departments, like picking up the mail or being the contact for financial advisers.
• The accountant continually misfiles important records.
• Deposits frequently seem too small. Always compare sales receipts against actual deposits.