CAMPUS: QuickBooks, other courses empower small-business owners

By Fendie Santos
Bridge contributing writer
Published Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025

South Texas small-business owners seized opportunities to reshape their finances as Texas A&M International University’s Small Business Development Center rolled out its latest QuickBooks Online course. The center offered its most recent online session for the series on Thursday, Nov. 13.

The Small Business Development Center hosted evening classes from 6 to 8 p.m. in November. The schedule included Managing Cash Flow and the webinar Leadership Through Innovation on Tuesday, Nov. 4; Being Global on Wednesday, Nov. 5; Human Resources Policies and Issues on Thursday, Nov. 6; Show Me the Money: Financing Options for Small Business on Tuesday, Nov. 11; and Cybersecurity 101 on Thursday, Nov. 13.

Certified business adviser Santiago Marina led the first hands-on QuickBooks session on Oct. 3, which was overseen by SBDC Director Norma Rodriguez. The course aimed to equip entrepreneurs with skills to manage their books and make better business decisions in just four hours.

“Accounting software like QuickBooks significantly alleviates the financial  management burden on small businesses,” Rodriguez said. “If you’re not ready to hire an accountant, this program is an excellent alternative. It accelerates the accounting  process, reduces errors, improves data accessibility, ensures organization and  compliance, and saves money.”

This year’s course, held in one of TAMIU’s computer labs, welcomed up to 20 participants. The fee was $125 and included software access, computers, internet and all training materials.

Marina brings real-world expertise and personalized support to each course. Rodriguez said she was proud to pass the responsibility to Marina and confident he would do an excellent job.

The curriculum guides attendees through practical tasks, such as building a company profile in QuickBooks, issuing invoices, collecting payments and reconciling accounts.

“You’ll leave knowing how to maintain records from day one, prepare for tax  season, and track both income and expenses,” Rodriguez said.

The certified SBDC adviser noted the importance of monthly reviews to spot errors and avoid last-minute tax headaches. She also emphasized the flexibility for bilingual participants.

“We teach in English, but every adviser is bilingual,” Rodriguez said. “If questions arise, explanations can be given in Spanish, making the environment safe and welcoming for everyone.”

For many participants, the class could have been their first experience with reconciling accounts and preparing monthly financial statements.

“QuickBooks tells you a story every month: Did you make money?” Rodriguez asked. “Are expenses outpacing sales? Are you missing payments? That insight helps business owners adjust course before problems grow.”

Support from the SBDC continues after the course concludes.

“Any business owner, whether they take our QuickBooks class or not, can come to us for one-on-one guidance: registering a business, managing payroll, paying sales tax and developing marketing strategies,” Rodriguez said. “We’re here for compliance questions, referrals to tax professionals or mentoring at every growth stage.”

The SBDC network, funded by federal dollars from the U.S. Small Business Administration and state money from Texas, serves business owners in Jim Hogg, Webb and Zapata counties. Services include confidential advising and market research.

“We realized early on there were small-business owners at TAMIU, such as students selling vintage clothing, catering food stands and running online shops,” Rodriguez said. “Our mission is to create bridges for these entrepreneurs and help them navigate legal requirements, financial records and customer service.”

Seats for QuickBooks classes are intentionally limited.

“With smaller groups, trainers can address questions directly and ensure no one is lost,” Rodriguez said. “It’s especially important when participants have different levels of computer literacy.”

Hilda Peña, former owner of Laredo Local Service LLC, agreed, “That’s right, the QuickBooks system is great for keeping track of expenses and profits.”

Peña also said that features, such as check printing, gave her more control and she wishes she had SBDC support before COVID-19 to save time and avoid mistakes.

Michael Peña, a University of Texas Rio Grande Valley student, opened a Vector Marketing office in West San Antonio this past summer as part of his internship. Serving as a branch manager for three months, he navigated the complexities of generating profit, maintaining payroll, recording sales and training new representatives.

“I wish I had access to more external resources,” Michael Peña reflected on his experiences. “It would have helped me better understand how to run a business.”

Davian Serrato, district manager for the Laredo office and assistant manager for the McAllen pilot office, worked alongside Michael Peña. After managing an in-person office and later working virtually, he said QuickBooks helped track profits and expenses.

“Even with limited experience, every new entrepreneur needs guidance to stay organized,” Serrato said.

Beyond QuickBooks, the SBDC offers monthly webinars on current topics, including social media marketing, hiring, compliance and a Spanish-language academy for local entrepreneurs.

“We are always listening to feedback to determine what courses are most needed,” Rodriguez said, noting that past events have focused on both business essentials and advanced financial topics.

Interested small-business owners may register online and reach out for ongoing support. For more resources, interested persons may call 956-326-2827 or visit the TAMIU SBDC.