Other Services

Manager Training: KCARD recognizes the value of professional management in the success of business operations. KCARD provides training to new managers on the vital management functions. For manager of cooperatives, KCARD provides training and education materials on cooperative basics and principles.

Staff Training: KCARD provides training services to employees for basic computer applications, such as Microsoft Excel and accounting software, Quicken and QuickBooks. If a business has a training need outside of KCARD’s capabilities, we will assist the business locate proper training and possibly help pay for the expense. Examples include assisting clients set up and use spreadsheets, consulting with clients when making a decision about which accounting software to purchase, assisting with the set up of accounting software, and developing efficient receipt and record systems.

On-site Business Consultations: In conjunction with KCARD’s philosophy of continued on-hands assistance, KCARD staff routinely makes visits to the locations of our clients, and discuss current operations and key issues for the business. KCARD wants to continue to be a part of the businesses that we assist.

Board Meeting Participation: KCARD staff are willing to participate in the board meetings of cooperatives, LLCs, and other mutually owned businesses. For some businesses, KCARD staff are ex-officio members of the board. At the board meetings, KCARD staff will serve an advisory role, but they will not tell the board what they should do on certain issues.

Recordkeeping Development & Assistance: KCARD provides record keeping/accounting development and hands on accounting assistance. The type of assistance can range from simple to more complex solutions depending on the needs of individual clients. Examples include assisting clients set up and use spreadsheets, consulting with clients when making a decision about which accounting software to purchase, assisting set up accounting software, and developing efficient receipt and record systems. KCARD recently sponsored several clients to attend a Quickbooks accounting software training session.

Policy Development: KCARD recognizes the value of effective policies and procedures in a successful business and the importance of everyone on the management team understating these policies. KCARD can assist groups develop, review, and change operating policies and procedures, such as bylaws, marketing agreements, personnel policies, staff evaluation, and financial controls. KCARD can also assist businesses develop policy manuals for the management team to ensure that everyone has access and understands the rules of the organization. Click here to learn more about how to put together an effective policy manual.

Legal/Accounting referrals and Cost-Share program: KCARD understands that businesses often need legal and accounting expertise beyond our capabilities, and thus we will assist businesses find the legal and accounting expertise that they need. To encourage businesses to seek legal counsel and accounting advice, KCARD offers a cost-share program for these expenses. KCARD also recognizes the importance of an annual financial audit, especially for cooperatives, and KCARD offers a cost-share program for business to conduct an audit. For more information on the cost-share program, please contact us.

Cost Analysis: For a business to be successful, it needs to have a good understanding of all of its costs. KCARD is capable of working with businesses to study specific job costs within the business, such as transportation or to breakdown all of the costs of production for the business.

Time Motion Studies: KCARD is capable of performing a time motion study of a business to get a better understanding of a business’ cost of production and to identify opportunities to improve the efficiencies of the business’ operations. The process involves gathering all the various cost of production, mapping out the lay-out of the facility, and videoing the business’ operations. This tool allows the business to jointly identify the opportunities with KCARD as the service is being performed.

Pre-feasibility studies & Feasibility study assistance: A pre-feasibility study differs from a true feasibility study in that it is more general, and it is used to determine whether a group should perform a full feasibility study. The pre-feasibility study can include narrowing down a list of potential business activities or operations, examining opportunities and risks to a potential business venture, and researching the industry and trends in the marketplace. Sometimes a pre-feasibility study involves looking at a project that is an extension to an existing business or a proposed change to a current business venture. Partial budgeting can be used to look at the net effects of changing operations or upgrading equipment. This can be valuable for businesses contemplating new capital investments and those considering moving operations or opening new facilities. KCARD can also provide assistance to a group wanting to conduct a full scale feasibility study. KCARD can help find the group the appropriate consultant or university professor to lead the study, and KCARD staff can play an active role in participating in the study.

Capitalization and Expansion Assistance: KCARD can provide assistance to businesses conducting equity drives to capitalize a start-up or expansion. This assistance can include legal references, research on legal questions and business structures, and assistance with grant and loan applications and conducting equity drives.