February 27, 2024
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 […]
July 19, 2023
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 […]
November 29, 2022
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 […]
October 14, 2022
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 […]
September 23, 2022
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 […]
August 26, 2022
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 […]
July 20, 2022
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. […]
July 8, 2022
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 […]
June 23, 2022
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 […]
June 16, 2022
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 […]
June 2, 2022
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 […]
April 8, 2022
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 […]
January 28, 2022
At some point in their careers, most savvy business owners come to learn that CPA services add value well beyond tax season. A CPA can help to support your small business with financial decision-making, tax planning, risk management, and a strategy for reaching your personal goals. Think of your CPA as your overall financial expert […]
January 26, 2022
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 […]
January 4, 2022
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 […]
December 21, 2021
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 […]
November 16, 2021
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 […]
November 9, 2021
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 […]
October 20, 2021
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 […]
October 19, 2021
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 […]
October 15, 2021
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 […]
September 28, 2021
Whether you have a side-hustle that’s starting to bring in significant income or are launching a brand new venture, you may be feeling concerned about the mounting costs of operating a business. Fortunately, we have good news for you and your bank account: these costs are actually tax deductions that will reduce your overall taxable […]
September 8, 2021
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 […]
August 31, 2021
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 […]
July 19, 2021
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? […]
June 24, 2021
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 […]
June 22, 2021
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 […]
June 14, 2021
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 […]
June 9, 2021
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 […]
May 27, 2021
As we head into summer, many small business owners are looking forward to making up for lost vacation time. Is your business set up to run efficiently while you’re away? Our cloud accounting division, GCT Technology & Accounting, can help you transition your books to the cloud and automate manual processes. Businesses on the cloud […]
May 17, 2021
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 […]
April 23, 2021
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 […]
April 12, 2021
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 […]
June 19, 2020
“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 […]
April 16, 2020
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 […]
February 15, 2020
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, […]
September 12, 2019
As sponsors of the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Fast50 awards, we evaluated all of the applications and had the privilege of learning what the fastest-growing companies are doing to make their numbers. Sure, a smart business plan, adequate cash flow, and a growing customer base are all prerequisites to build a business. As we zeroed in […]
June 27, 2019
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 […]
June 27, 2019
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 […]
May 13, 2019
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 […]
October 31, 2017
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 […]
January 26, 2017
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 […]
May 18, 2016
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 […]
January 4, 2016
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 […]
August 26, 2014
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 […]
October 17, 2013
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 […]
September 16, 2013
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 […]
July 3, 2013
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 […]