I have been taking online classes with Rasmussen College for almost two years now. While all of my classes have been challenging and really require your focus and attention; I will say there are few classes that are really challenging and wish I had more one on one time with a face to face teacher during these times. Not saying classes should be easy, but some things you really need to have a clear understanding.

My classes that have been the most challenging are Accounting I and Payroll Accounting. Accounting one I had to take twice because the first time I just didn’t get it. Then the second time I barely passed. However I passed and that is what really matters. I was studying hard and asking the teacher questions and genuinely trying to get a B or higher, but there is just so much to learn and accounting in general is a hard/confusing subject. The whole aspect of debits and credits are just the beginning of how the process works. The funny thing is I have been in accounting and finance for several years of my working career, but never really dealing with bookkeeping and general ledgers.

Then there is Payroll Accounting which is another difficult subject. I have a new found respect for payroll and human resources managers. Keep in mind when you learn a subject like accounting in college they teach you have to calculate everything manually without the use of a software database. This is a great thing, but it really shows the complexity behind it. Payroll has so many taxes, codes and a guideline that has to be followed it is very complex. There are Federal laws, state laws and city laws. You have different Federal Acts to follow and you must always stay updated because additions to the Acts can take place at any time. One wrong file or late payment to the government can cost you money.

I am currently in the Payroll Accounting class and I had a D mid semester.  This class has been very challenging, but I have been hanging in there and my teacher has been amazing. I have probably spoken with this teacher more then any of my other teachers in the last 2 years. She doesn’t mind and loves trying to help which has made a difference. I have a few weeks left but my grade has increased to a low C and I am finishing the semester strong. If the teacher wasn’t so helpful, I would probably be facing the problems I had with my accounting I class.

Rasmussen offers free tutoring which I wish badly that I could take advantage of, but I am not near a campus. The closest campus to me is Ocala, but for many of you the campuses are near. I recommend if you are having trouble with a class, please reach out to the school tutor. There is online help too through Smarthinking, but that is more for a specific question or paper needs you might have. Great to have...I used it after midnight one night. Tutoring is expensive so having Rasmussen include that in our tuition is great!

Well I will keep you posted as I get to the end of my payroll class. Wish me the best in luck as I near the end of this semester and as always if you ever have any ideas, suggestions or feedback; please feel free to comment.    

Hello everyone! I hope this New Year is treating all of you well. My last blog I shared with you that I had found a job and I told you I would follow up to let you know how things are coming along. I also want to let all you how school is and catch everyone up.

The new company I am working for is Fabulous! I love everyone there from the top, right down to the bottom. I am also doing very well. I learned the processes quickly and have already been helping private clients. This job allows me to help others and I love helping others. I have worked for small, medium and large companies in my past and I have come to realize the bigger the company the more stresses you endure. The larger companies are in your face all the time wondering what is going on, when the smaller companies are only in your face if the work is not getting done. And that is more my style because I am motivated by working for good people/companies. If you are good to me, I will work that much harder for you, but if you are stressing me out and breathing down my next I loose all self motivation. I know there are people out there who need a drill sergeant to stay on their back or else they do not work, but that is not me.  Company’s loose sight of the real workers out there and at the end of the day they drive them away.

I am only in my first month with the company; however things are going really well. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure this works out for me 100%. I will keep all of you posted along the way to let you know how I am progressing.

 SCHOOL…

School is coming along as I complete courses and gain more credits. It is defiantly a journey, but well worth it. This semester I am having some struggles, but my teacher has been working with me the last couple of weeks. The class is Accounting Payroll and I do not know what it is, but I have so much trouble with Accounting. Since the teacher has reached out and assisted me I have increased on certain areas, but I have a ways to go. We are in the middle of the semester so I have to really focus and dedicate more time to learning it. The funny part is I actually want to learn this class and I want to do well in it. Accounting Payroll is a great skill to have for any management role in an organization.

Recently, I used Smarthinking, which is an online tutoring tool that Rasmussen provides to all of their students. It is a great resource to have. It was late one night and I was working on some payroll problems. I sent in a question and a student started instant messaging me within 5 minutes. He coached me through the problem and it worked out great. Where else can you get that kind of help at 1:30 a.m.? For me I live alone so there is know one to consult, especially at that time.

Well if anyone can recommend some tips on Payroll Accounting I would love to hear your thoughts on what helped you. In the meantime I will continue to plug along and push for a great grade.

Take care for now and will talk with you next week.