Are you thinking of becoming a consultant? Should you incorporate? Is setting up as a sole proprietor better or forming an LLC? How do you pay yourself? How to save taxes? Should you hire an accountant? Is social media the best option to promote yourself?

Fear no more. Come and attend our iConsult session on Tuesday morning during the conference. This half-day forum provides freelancers and those hoping to learn more about starting a business with the opportunity to get an intensive education on what to start and how to be successful. With everything from nuts-and-bolts specifics to advice on how to network, this event is a can’t-miss chance to get your business up and running.

Invited presenters include an IRS agent, a local CPA, an Enrolled Agent, and experienced freelancers in the PharmaSUG community. The aim of this iConsult session is to help the self-employed to navigate a variety of topics important to doing business independently.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – Pickersgill

Presentation Descriptions

Entity Types – Which One to Choose?
Raymond Lee and Margaret Hung
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

In order to start a business, it is essential to establish the entity type. Each entity type has pros and cons and will go through one by one.
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Show Me The Money! Promoting Your Consulting Business and Setting Your Rate
Joshua Horstman
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

How much should an independent consultant charge for their work? And how do they even find that work? This session will tackle these critical questions on the road to independent consulting. We’ll discuss various tools and methods you can use as an independent consultant to market your services so you can enjoy a steady stream of work that will provide the revenue your business needs. Naturally, you’d like to set your rate to maximize that revenue, but you also need to remain competitive. Pricing your services can be a tricky balance. We’ll weigh a number of factors to consider in arriving at that perfect number!
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Importance of the Small Business Tax Workshop
Veronica Tubman, IRS
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Will share federal taxes and your new business, Schedule C and other small business taxes, how to file and pay your taxes electronically, business use of your home and other valuable resources. This workshop is relevant to everyone no matter what kind of business you have or whether you have employees.
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Ctrl + S(hare): A Programmer’s Advice for Leveraging Social Media
Inka Leprince
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Navigating social media as a programmer requires a blend of technical knowledge, personal branding, and community engagement. The focus of this presentation are the best social media practices and strategies for enhancing visibility through tagging individuals/companies, establishing regular posting schedules, and leveraging fun and interactive content. Resources for free design software will be provided as well as practical tips for integrating branding elements in the creation of visually striking graphics. By following these guidelines, you can effectively promote yourself and engage your followers.
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Insight Into Issues and Accounting Methods
Athene Steinke, IRS
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Discussing insight into issues and accounting methods that can assist small business and tax professionals in preparing tax returns.
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The Pitfalls of Self-Employed Individuals
Christopher J. Williams, CPA
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

The importance of making estimated tax payments, self-employed retirement accounts, business expenses, and recommendations on how to make you tax life easier.
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Tax Breaks for the Average Joe/Jane
Margaret Hung
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Some tax-smart moves to help you keep more of your money to yourself. A review of some well-known as well as some lesser-known tax strategies.
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