a man

Rick Gossett

As COO of Tarkenton Companies for more than 20 years, Rick has been responsible for business software development, unique partnerships, business educational content and consulting, and more. Rick was the originator of Tarkenton Companies’s consulting service and initially handled all of the questions himself. Prior to joining Tarkenton Companies, Rick owned and operated a private practice as a CPA. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager at Pannell Kerr Forster in tax and audit, as well as Principal in Ernst & Young's small business advisory group.

Latest

Becoming an Employer

| Rick Gossett

Hiring your first employee is a big step for your business. It also means you have to deal with a lot of complicated regulatory requirements! This checklist of 10 items to do after becoming an employer comes from the Small Business Administration, and will help you keep your focus on your customers.

Find the Right Accountant for Your Business

| Rick Gossett
Every business has accounting needs. But how do you find the right accountant for your specific needs? Not all accountants or accounting firms are the same, and understanding the differences will help you build the right relationships for your business.

Make Time for Strategic Planning

| Rick Gossett
Small business entrepreneurs must have a plan. Too many small business people, however, don’t make enough time for strategic thinking and planning. Here are 5 simple tips to make sure you’re making the plans you need for your business’s future.

Executive Summary

| Rick Gossett
The part of your business plan that investors will be most interested in is the executive summary—the one-to-two page summary of your overall business plan. A strong executive summary will grab an investor’s attention and get him or her interested in learning more about your business.

Elements of a Business Plan

| Rick Gossett
A well designed business plan is an important tool for a business, helping in the search for investors and lenders and in every management. Each company will have a different business plan, but there are a few common core elements that will make any plan more effective.