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I have a variety of workshops that I present at homeschool conventions and community events.  Please contact me at Carol@HomeschoolCPA.com to book me for your convention or event.

I am also a member of the Old Schoolhouse Speakers Bureau

I will be speaking at the following homeschool conventions in 2012:

Interested in having me speak at your homeschool convention in 2012? Email me at Carol@HomeschoolCPA.com to book me for your convention or event.

Workshop Topics

Homeschool Co-ops: How to Start Them, Run Them and Not Burn Out view slides here

Homeschool co-ops are becoming very popular! This workshop discusses the benefits and disadvantages of co-ops. You’ll get advice on starting a homeschool co-op such as how to find interested people, how to organize, where to meet, and what problems to anticipate. Learn how to manage conflicts and volunteers, create a budget, collect fees, and pay teachers

Hear my interview on The Sociable Homeschooler discussing homeschool co-ops (19 minutes into podcast)

Help! My Homeschool Group is Growing view slides here

As the homeschooling movement grows, so do support groups and homeschool co-op groups. This means more organization is needed to handle larger memberships. Here is some advice from a homeschooling mother and CPA who works with non-profit organizations on how to start and manage a larger group. Carol Topp will discuss Boards, Budgets and By-laws in this helpful workshop for group leaders and board members.

The IRS and Your Homeschool Group view slides here

If your homeschool group bring in more than $5,000 a year, you may need to be paying taxes to the IRS or better yet become a tax exempt organization. Presenter, Carol Topp, a homeschooling mother and CPA, has helped several homeschooling organizations obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS and will discuss the pros and cons of 501c3 status, offer tips, helpful resources and checklists.

Homeschool Leader: Are You Burnt Out? View handout here

Encouragement for the homeschool group leader. This workshop is structured as a support group meeting for the support group or co-op leader. Author Carol Topp facilitates discussion among leaders as she encourages them to motivate volunteers and stay focused while avoiding burnout.

How You (or Your Child) Can Become a Published Author

It is easier than ever to become a publisher author. If you have something to say, write it down and tell the world. Author, Carol Topp will show you how to do it quickly and inexpensively. As the author of Business Tips and Taxes for Writers, and other titles, Carol will explain the process to become a published author.

Micro Business for Teenagers: Starting a Micro Business (Can be Part 1 of a 2 part series or stand alone) (very popular and fills a room every time!) view slides here

Encouragement for teenagers to start and run their own micro business. They will learn a lot while earning some money. A micro business can be started quickly and easily with no debt from home. Presenter Carol Topp, CPA has counseled dozens of teenagers starting a business and will discuss business plans, ideas. Teenagers and their parents are encouraged to attend together!

Hear my interview (8 minutes) in starting a micro business on WDLM Quad Cities here

Micro Business for Teenagers: Running a Micro Business (Can be Part 2 of a 2 part series) view slides here

Information for teenagers who wish to run  a successful micro business. Presenter Carol Topp, CPA has counseled dozens of teenagers running  a business and will discuss sales, marketing, taxes and record keeping. She will explain the basics of a business tax return, business deductions and the “hidden” tax on the Form 1040. Carol puts difficult accounting and tax issues into easy-to-understand English. Teenagers and their parents are encouraged to attend together!

Wanna Be a WAHM (Work at Home Mom)? view slides here

More and more homeschool mothers are becoming WAHMs (Work at Home Mothers). In this workshop, homeschooling mother and WAHM herself, Carol Topp, CPA, will discuss how to start a home-based business, avoiding WAHM scams, and balancing homeschooling and working.  As an accountant, Carol helps small, home-based businesses get off the ground. She’ll offer her professional knowledge and her personal experience on being a WAHM in this helpful workshop.

Budget is a Dirty Word view slides here

This workshop covers planning your spending to fit your priorities, how to set up your finances to run automatically, how to know if you are in financial trouble and how to get out of debt successfully. Scriptures and Biblical concepts are sprinkled in, but it’s not a Bible study on finances. The class is practical and lively with group participation.

How to Teach Kids About Managing Money ( When You’re Not Doing So Great Yourself) view slides here

 

So you don’t consider yourself a financial role model. Take heart, you can still teach your kids financial principles. This workshop offers tips on how to teach your kids the money basics as part of your busy lifestyle. We’ll also discuss what topics to teach at each age from preschoolers to college age.

Teens and Taxes view slides here

Are you confused about whether or not your teenager owes taxes? Do they need to file a tax return? Can they be included on your tax return? Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and tax preparer, Carol Topp will lead a workshop to explain tax laws that apply to teenagers. Whether your student is employed, self-employed or just earning cash by babysitting, Carol can answer your questions. There will be helpful handouts, real life case studies and easy-to-understand explanations. Bring along your teenager! They may learn something!

Record Keeping, Transcripts and Plans for Homeschool High School Students View Handout here

Do you have questions on how or what you need to do to home educate your children through high school? How do you keep track of credit hours? Transcripts: what’s required and what’s not? What are colleges looking for? If high school creeping up and you’re not sure if you can do it or just need some guidance, this workshop is helpful and encouraging.