BookSmarts™ Signs 15 Unit Area Development Agreement for Florida

Pittsburgh, PA, October 26, 2009- Former Pittsburgh Executive Bill Barthlow today signed an Area Development Agreement with BookSmarts, LLC.  The agreement entails the opening of 15 BookSmarts™ locations on the east coast of Florida.  The first location will be in Rockledge, Florida, which is near Cape Canaveral and will open in January 2010.  Other locations will soon follow stretching up and down the east coast from Daytona Beach to West Palm Beach. Barthlow believes that “The BookSmarts model is far superior to other tax and accounting franchises and presents a tremendous growth opportunity for potential franchisees.  In addition, the services offered by BookSmarts, LLC are vital for small to mid-sized businesses and individuals enabling them to efficiently and correctly handle their accounting and tax needs.” The Pittsburgh-based BookSmarts, LLC is a tax and accounting service that serves the middle market needs of small to mid-sized businesses as well as individuals.   

Rich Inman, Director of Franchise Sales and Marketing, anticipates that this agreement will lead to franchise opportunities in other states. “The large presence outside of our home state allows us to accelerate our truly turn key franchising business model into other areas.”  Furthermore, BookSmarts CEO Ron Sofranko said, “This is a significant accomplishment in the growth of our franchise system, truly defining that there is an underserved niche BookSmarts occupies.” BookSmarts President Larry Jackley says the company’s evolution and growth is directly related to what makes BookSmarts different from the competition. “It sounds simple, but if you provide folks competent, honest professionals who are a part of the community and have a stake in the community, then good, long-term relationships develop,” he said. 

BookSmarts was founded by Larry Jackley, a CPA who some 20 years ago established the TaxTech^® franchise that focused on the seasonal tax return preparation business.  BookSmarts evolved from TaxTech in 2007 when the concept was expanded to include year-round financial services for individuals and small businesses.  In addition to personal and business tax return preparation, BookSmarts offers personal financial consultation and an array of small business services including payroll, monthly and quarterly financials, accounts payable and receivables, and bookkeeping. 

To find the BookSmarts location nearest you as well as information on franchise opportunities available in your area, visit www.BookSmartsTax.com or contact Rich Inman at 866-619-1040 or rinman@booksmartstax.com or Ron Sofranko at 412-480-6375 or rsofranko@booksmartstax.com. BookSmarts headquarters is located at 1373 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017.