Business Growth Blog

Search
Close this search box.
How to finance a small business purchase the smart way
You’ve always dreamt of being your own boss. You’ve spent nights crafting business plans and plotting your success. But, let’s get real—the thought of starting from ground zero is nothing short of terrifying! What if you could step into an existing business, one with a proven track record and a loyal customer base? Buying an […]
New Department of Labor Rule clarifying employees vs. contractors
2023 UPDATE: New developments in independent contractor classification On June 13, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) made a significant decision in The Atlanta Opera, Inc. case, which impacts the classification of workers as employees or independent contractors under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRB overturned the 2019 standard for classifying workers […]
R&D credit consultants
Ongoing research and development (R&D) is a cornerstone of a prosperous economy, which is why the IRS provides a federal R&D tax credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 41. But the scope of R&D isn’t limited to large-scale scientific development (such as large pharmaceutical companies working on a new drug); small businesses also can and […]
Data-driven decision-making: What does it mean for your small business?
Data-driven decision-making: it’s more than just a buzzword. Businesses, both large and small, make decisions every day that can either propel them forward or set them back. In today’s economy, it’s vital to be agile, ready to anticipate potential issues, and take action at any given moment. Business owners have tools at their fingertips to […]
When Should You Conduct An Internal Audit In Your Business?
The word audit can send a business owner into a nervous panic. But an audit isn’t always a serious issue, especially when conducted internally. Yes, there are audits performed by the IRS if there is reason to believe that taxes have not been paid accurately. However, small business owners often don’t realize that they should […]
7 tips to manage your small business cash flow
While your product or service may be the heartbeat of the business, cash is the lifeline, and without adequate cash flow, your business health will decline quickly. There are many vital factors to monitor as a business owner, with cash flow topping the list. Unfortunately, lack of cash flow is the number one reason why […]
Business financial advisors for tax season and beyond
We may be in the heat of summer, but that doesn’t mean taxes are off-topic. In fact, summer is an ideal time to check in on your tax planning strategy and regular bookkeeping efforts. Proactive tax planning and preparation are key to a smooth tax season, ensuring you can take advantage of deductions and credits. […]
How to account for your business research and development
In the infancy stages, or as your business expands, research and development is a common business activity. Research and development can be an exciting time for a business, whether it’s creating the first product or improving your core business offering. For new business owners, research and development can be a bit confusing when it comes […]
Employee onboarding checklist
Hiring employees can be a big step for a small business owner. Bringing on employees can help your business increase capacity and allows you to focus on your passions and expertise in the business. You may be hiring employees to focus on specific aspects of your business, such as sales, marketing, or product development—or simply […]
How your business can survive—and even thrive—during inflation
It’s in the headlines and in the minds of every individual and business owner. Inflation. Rapidly rising costs and dwindling profit margins can leave small business owners in a difficult position. While inflation can take a toll on a small business, there are steps you can take to mitigate risks now and long term. What […]
What a bookkeeper can do for you and your business
Entrepreneurship can be one of the most exciting and rewarding endeavors, but that’s not to say it doesn’t come with struggles. Business ownership comes with many ups and downs, learning curves, and balancing acts. From nailing down the services you offer or developing an innovative product, to marketing, sales, finances, and bookkeeping, there are many […]
Is your e-commerce business automated for growth?
With e-commerce, the world is literally at our fingertips. With the click of a button, individuals can purchase just about anything, from anywhere in the world. As an e-commerce business, it’s vital to be set up to accept purchases and fulfill orders efficiently. Xero is the key to the business back office running smoothly, giving […]
Starting points to modernizing a generational company
Many business owners who have been running the same company for the better part of their lives see the business as their legacy—a future for their children, grandchildren, and generations to come. It’s not uncommon for them to hold close the things that brought success in the past, which can also lead to resistance when […]
Four concerns owners face during rapid business growth
Most business owners dream of experiencing exponential growth, whether it be through a product going viral, an unexpected celebrity endorsement, or an offering that is suddenly in high demand (think plexiglass during COVID). While growth is exciting, it can also be a challenging time to navigate. As you see those orders rolling in, don’t lose […]
Tax Basics for Real Estate Agents
If the hot real estate markets led you into a career as a real estate agent this year, filing taxes may look a bit different than what you’ve done in the past. Below are a few things you should know about reporting your earnings, as well as deductions that could reduce your taxable income. If […]
How can an outsourced CFO support a new business?
An outsourced CFO provides the financial expertise of an experienced CFO, without the financial commitment of hiring a full-time employee. Outsourced CFOs can be leveraged through a variety of agreements, including part-time, interim, or long-term basis. Seeking the guidance of an experienced CFO from day one can help to set your business up for long-term […]
Be successful with ecommerce for small business
Ecommerce businesses have been on the rise ever since their inception, and the pandemic offered online sellers an added boost. Small businesses have just begun to scratch the surface of possibilities open to them with ecommerce. With the world’s goods and services at our fingertips, just one click away, online purchases continue to soar. Some […]
How to move your LLC to a new state
If your LLC adopted cloud-based solutions in an effort to digitize the business over the course of the past year or two, a change in scenery might be easier than you think. Moving an LLC to another state can be accomplished by simply filing a few forms. That said, there are a few potential pitfalls […]
How the right mix of financial services makes it easier to run your business
While your products or services are the backbone of your business, you’ll struggle to succeed without a solid financial understanding and processes. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed if you didn’t go to school for accounting or pursue an MBA. You simply need to build out the right combination of business financial services. That means […]
Xero is a winner for medical accounting software
Running a medical practice can be demanding, pulling in every direction at once. From managing patient care and follow-ups to the back office and financial side of things, healthcare goes far beyond caring for the patients. We support medical practice managers in streamlining and automating their back-office processes, running everything through Xero as the central […]
Running a Brewery on the Cloud
Once you’ve perfected your recipes, one of the best (and most commonly overlooked) projects you can take on to set up your craft brewery for success is to automate your accounting processes. Running a brewery with cloud accounting will enable you to focus on what you do best—keep customers coming back for more. Below are […]
Back-office requirements for a successful e-commerce business
E-commerce businesses have exploded in popularity, and the industry offers ample room for growth in nearly innumerable product lines. Getting your accounting processes set up properly from the beginning of an e-commerce business is vital for long-term success, and it’s a task to tackle even before you make your first sale. Consider the following to […]
Does your business need a bookkeeper, CPA, or outsourced CFO?
In the early stages, new businesses have a lot of moving parts. Proper handling of the financials is crucial for every type of business; for some, keeping up with the day-to-day of bookkeeping, bill pay, payroll, and cash flow can be overwhelming, especially when business is expanding. But how do you know who to hire? […]
What information do you need when applying for a business loan?
As we enter the post-pandemic period, the financial world is experiencing pent-up demand from small businesses that are itching to expand. Banks and credit unions are seeing an increase from small business owners looking to take out loans for business expansion while interest rates are historically low. This is a great indicator of economic growth […]
Do rental property owners file Schedule C or Schedule E?
Our recent blog addressed many of the tax issues inherent in renting your vacation home on Airbnb, VRBO, or another platform. Which form to file (Schedule C or Schedule E) with your tax return is a classic area of confusion for owners of short-term rentals, and the answer is often unclear for Airbnb hosts and […]
How to start a business: 5 steps to set you up for success
Once you’ve got a business idea and are energized to hit the ground running, there are some important early steps that you shouldn’t skip. Entrepreneurship is a mix of intelligence, tenacity, hard work, and dedication—and then there’s that need to know how to start a business. If you’re ready to take your passion and turn […]
Tax Tips for Airbnb Hosts and Short-term Rental Owners
Since the pandemic, vacation rental homes have gained a significant share of the market demand. Vacation rental homes give travelers the convenience and comfort of home-like accommodations, as well as a sense of the local culture. Many investors have seized the opportunity to expand and diversify their assets. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have made […]
Restaurants, Venues, and Pandemic Relief for the Smallest Businesses
Restaurants, event venues, and other small businesses impacted by shutdowns have the opportunity to tap into some powerful pandemic relief programs offered by the federal government. The first quarter of 2021 saw lots of changes to COVID-related economic stimulus programs. Below are some of the most significant changes including additional relief designed to help support […]
How the right advisor can help you grow your business
Growth, whether it be personal or professional, holds a lot of exciting possibilities. It can also be intimidating and downright painful at times. The fear of the unknown, drastic changes that will have to take place, and the steps outside of your comfort zone to grow your business often hold people and businesses back from […]
Six Reasons We Love Xero Cloud Accounting
There’s no time like the present to be on the cloud—the Xero cloud, that is. With the shift to hybrid work environments, migrating to a cloud-based solution has become essential to making businesses run smoothly. Virtual collaborations ensure easy, secure data transfer, as well as the critical ability to run your business from anywhere. So […]
Transitioning accounting to the cloud is now mission-critical
“Because that’s the way we’ve always done it,” is a phrase I’ve heard a lot over the past several years. It’s become a canary in the coal mine for me, nearly always indicating there’s a process or platform that isn’t working for a business. People become used to all sorts of inefficient, irritating tasks under […]
Paid Leave During COVID-19: What employers need to know
The COVID-19 health crisis is forcing employers and business owners to make quick decisions, especially when it comes to handling their workforce. Should staff members continue reporting to the office or work from home? What do you do if an employee, or an employee’s family member, catches the virus? Are you required to provide paid […]
Quickbooks Online Pros and Cons
Unless you have a dedicated accounting staff who sit together in a consistent office space and handle the finances of your business with little or no input from you, the advantages of Quickbooks Online program can be numerous.  The ability to outsource your accounting function while maintaining onsite access is every business owner’s dream.  However, […]
Are Robots Coming For Accountants?
We spent last week at Xerocon, an annual event that brings together cloud accounting leaders for education, inspiration, networking, and good times (accountant-style). One recurrent theme was automation—perhaps an obvious topic for a cloud accounting conference since we’re all about automated business bookkeeping tasks, but also a prevalent topic in every business field right now. Countless […]
Are you still managing your own small business books?
I heard a staggering statistic at last week’s Xerocon conference: 50% of small businesses fail without a financial advisor to help them understand their books. I looked deeper into the research and found another surprising statistic from Xero’s Make or Break survey of small businesses. Of 2,000 small business owners whose businesses failed, 65% of […]
Five Signs You’re Outgrowing Your Accounting Processes
Like most other aspects of your business, your accounting needs change over time. If you started small, you likely used a basic spreadsheet to keep track of income and expenses before investing in a desktop or cloud-based software tool as things got more complex. For most businesses, doing it all in house (whether by the […]
Improve Your Odds Of Getting A Loan With A Bulletproof P&L Statement
One of the most important financial statements your small business has is a profit and loss statement. As a start-up, your P&L statement is critical for analytical reasons, but it can also be used to assist you in getting the loan you need to finance your idea. It gives investors a clear overview of your […]
New Email Phishing Scam Targeting QuickBooks Users
On January 25, the Better Business Bureau issued a warning about a new email phishing scam that targets the users of Intuit’s QuickBooks accounting software programs.  The scam email contains a subject line of “QuickBooks Support: Change Request” and looks like a legitimate email from Intuit.  The body of the email requests a confirmation about […]
Overtime Regulations Have Passed!
The new overtime regulations for full-time workers have passed.  Employers will now be required to pay time and a half for overtime if a full-time worker makes less than $47,476 per year.  While this is less than the originally proposed amount of $50,400, it it about double the previous threshold of $23,660.  If an employee works […]
Capitalization De Minimis Safe Harbor
A common question we deal with is when to capitalize and depreciate assets rather than expensing them.  It is often advantageous for a client to be able to expense smaller purchases rather than setting them up in depreciation schedules and either dealing with Section 179 rules or delaying the full deduction.  The IRS has provided […]
2014 Small Business Healthcare Changes
2014 is a big year for changes in the health insurance world.  The Affordable Care Act was set up to implement slowly over time and 2014 will see a lot of small business healthcare changes.  Some of those changes will affect the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit.  Currently, the credit is available for companies […]
Florida Re-Employment Changes for Employers
You may have noticed a change in the quarterly payroll taxes you file with the State of Florida.  They are no longer for Unemployment Compensation Tax.  They are now for Re-Employment Tax.  That might help you feel a little better about the higher rates you’ve been paying. Florida Form UCT… er… RT-6 Fortunately, the State […]
Important Notice to All Employers: Obamacare Has Begun!
If your business has employees, there is a critical change in the law that affects you in a massive way… and it kicks in on October 1, 2013. Notices are due to all employees. Here’s what you need to know. Keep in mind that virtually all employers are subject to this notice requirement. Further, employers must provide […]
Healthcare Reprieve for Small Businesses
For years now one of the biggest fears with the Affordable Care Act has been that people might see delays in service due to higher volumes of patients.  Instead we are seeing a much more welcome delay: a delay in the implementation of penalties for businesses who don’t comply.  The Obama administration has given a […]