Jo Landers

Business Services

Welcome to Jo Landers Business Services, offering a cost-effective way for smaller businesses to access a wide range of support services and solutions they may not have the skills or expertise to provide in-house.

This web site provides information and resources, as well as describing the products and services offered. Feel free to browse the site and download articles for personal use. If you have a comment or suggestion, or find a broken or missing link, please

Services Include:

Bookkeeping and accounting services on a weekly, semi-weekly, monthly or as needed basis at your office or mine for businesses in Easthampton, Northampton, Florence, Hadley & Holyoke
Quickbooks set-up & bookkeeper training/support, including specialized support for nonprofits and businesses that work with subcontractors
Assistance with business planning and financing proposals, cash flow management and debt reduction
Typesetting (specializing in catalogs, annual reports, books and other information-dense printed pieces)
Project management (web and print), including building teams and communicating between client and contractors, developing specifications, budgets and timelines, and creating RFP's and soliciting quotes.
Web site and navigation design and coding utilizing HTML, CSS and JavaScript or PHP
Web site and image optimization to improve the ability of search engines to find and index your site and your audience to use it
PHP/MySQL database and interface design and coding

New on the site:

The New Form 990 for Nonprofits

An overview of the new Form 990, with a discussion of the areas which may require changes in policies, procedures or financial and other record keeping, and links to other resources. Includes links to the forms and mini-courses to assist with planning and preparation, and to issues specifically related to land trusts.

Cost Allocation Strategies for Nonprofits

An explanation of what cost allocation is and why it is necessary for nonprofits, and the most common methods for allocating costs. Includes links to more comprehensive information.

Massachusetts Budget Update:

Click here for important information regarding Commonwealth Care funding

28,000 working poor are at risk of losing access to health insurance.

Pages Most Visited (2008):

The Massachusetts Workshare Program - an alternative to full layoffs

The Workshare Program allows staff to receive pro-rated unemployment benefits if their hours are cut. This can reduce unemployment and new hire costs to the business and retain trained employees during a slowdown. An overview of the program and links to more information and application forms.

What Does an Employee REALLY Cost?

Use this calculator to see what an employee really costs after benefits and employer-paid taxes.

Employee vs. Subcontractor: What's the Difference and Why You Should Care

Incorrectly classifying subcontractors can have serious financial consequences for your business. This article provides an overview of the IRS & Massachusetts guidelines for classifying subcontractors, 'best practice' guidelines for maintaining a paper trail to support a subcontractor classification, and the impact not having separate proofs of insurance can have on your own liability and workers compensation policies. Includes links to relevant areas of the IRS and mass.gov websites.

Best Deals:

Checks for Less / EI Printing - Portland, Maine

I've been ordering business checks and check supplies from these people since 1998 (computer checks, deposit slips, one-write systems, etc.). Their online ordering system is clear and easy to use and customer service has been great. Prices are generally at least 10-20% lower than ordering through your bank, NEBS, McBee or another supplier. And unlike many online vendors, you CAN easily contact them by phone, fax or mail as well as using the web-based ordering system.

Local Network Discounts, Coupons & Recommended Vendors

Check out the Local Network page for discounts and coupons from businesses in the Pioneer Valley, as well as a list of recommended vendors I've had good experiences with.

Check out PioneerValley.info

Get information or find things to do in the Pioneer Valley. Includes an online forum for the Easthampton Stop & Shop development project. No ads or pop-ups.