Focus on Small Business: Q&A CFO Andrew Carroll

97.9 % of the businesses in the United States have fewer than 20 employees.

Small businesses are often called the backbone of a community. In fact, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA) 97.9 percent of the businesses in the United States have fewer than 20 employees. In North Orange County, one in five businesses employ five or fewer employees. As the Chamber continues to grow relationships with small business, we are highlighting some exceptional small businesses that enhance the rich tapestry of our communities.

This issue of Pillar explores three small businesses and the unique characteristics that makes them successful.

CFO ANDREW CARROLL

Andrew Carroll, CFO

Andrew Carroll has successfully built a suite of businesses including Accrual Empire, CFOAndrew, and Kingstone Financial. His financial acumen and work ethic has allowed him to establish a stable client base encompassing an array of small businesses. Locating his business in FLDWRK a local co-working space allows him to keep his business fresh and nimble.

PILLAR: What is the mission of your business and how is your passion for innovation represented in your company?

Andrew Carroll: I believe that starting and running a business is the best path to wealth. Business doesn’t fit into a box and you have to be flexible to meet the needs of individuals.My goal is make that easier for anyone to do. My businesses work to make lasting and meaningful relationships with our clients.

PILLAR: Describe how your companies remain competitive.

AC: Keeping current with today’s technology is mandatory if we are to keep our prices reasonable while remaining efficient. Innovation is represented by versatility. In today’s competitive business environment, a company either moves forward or falls behind.The world of accounting and finance world is beginning to change dramatically. More and more people are being empowered to start and run businesses - and accounting and record keeping is being commoditized. In the investment world, consumers are waking up to the fact that many advisors charge very high fees for dubious value. All of this conspires to require anyone in the financial world to rethink business models.

Photos provided by Andrew Carroll & FLDWRK Fullerton

PILLAR: What successful marketing efforts have you applied to brand your company?

AC: Keeping an online presence on social media has been the single greatest marketing tool we have used. Putting real money into hiring the best designers for marketing material and a professional website has been key. Referrals, however, continue to be key to our growth … do good work for clients and they refer us more business.

PILLAR: Why did you choose north Orange County to locate your company?

AC: We base out of Fullerton primarily because of the city’s central location. Our staff is located across Southern California and work remotely most of the time. We use Fullerton as our “home base” because it has easy access to trains and freeways for when we work together.

PILLAR: What is the main quality you look for in your employees?

AC: The main quality I look for in an employee is attitude. Technical ability is relatively easy to replicate, but a positive “can do” attitude is the best way to solve the problems that arise in business. I believe that for your business to flourish successfully, you need employees you can count on. I need to know that deadlines can be consistently met and that if any problems arise, my team will bring it to my attention. Depend ability ensures that each separate gear in my company can run as smoothly as possible. When one gear goes off-kilter, the whole train can crash.

Photos provided by Andrew Carroll & FLDWRK Fullerton