July 26, 2022
For companies looking to provide their employees with the tax benefits as a regular 401(k) plan without all the hassle, setting up a safe harbor 401(k) means they can skip the onerous annual testing requirements and expenses associated with nondiscrimination tests typically required for a traditional 401(k). In this article, we discuss the problems a […]
July 21, 2022
Once you’ve checked your tax return off the list for the year, it can be tempting to check out and enjoy your hard-earned income. As much as we’d all enjoy a long break from thinking about taxes, the truth is that it’s time to start tax planning for next year. By starting to plan now, […]
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 15, 2022
If you’re like many people, you put off filing your taxes until the due date is about to fall on your head. We get it—taxes can be a major source of stress, but they don’t have to be! With effective tax planning, you may be able to reduce your tax payable or secure a larger […]
July 14, 2022
Your home is probably one of the most significant purchases you’ll ever make in your life. It’s also one that comes with a lot of pride and emotion. Now, it’s time to sell. Of course, you want to make a profit, but what about the tax implications? Here’s what you should know if you’re selling […]
July 14, 2022
Given that the average annual cost (tuition, fees, and room and board) of college has increased 11% at public colleges and 14% at private colleges (over and above increases in the Consumer Price Index), it’s no surprise that college expenses can be overwhelming. In the 2021-2022 year, the average total cost of attendance for in-state […]
July 14, 2022
A budget is an essential part of any business. While developing the budget may sound daunting, it should really empower you as a business owner to make educated and informed decisions. Business budgets will help you prepare financially, relieve the stress of the unknown, and provide support in reaching your business goals. What exactly is […]
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 […]
July 6, 2022
If you have people (employees or contractors) working for your business, it’s important to classify them appropriately. Why? Because if you pay someone on a 1099 as a contractor, and it turns out they should’ve been paid on a W-2, your business can find itself in hot water. What’s the difference between employees and contractors? […]
June 29, 2022
If you have a product, ecommerce is a must. Whether your main focus is ecommerce or you’re using it as an extension of your core business, selling products online can be an incredible way to reach customers virtually anywhere. Before you launch an online store, you may want to take a minute to get acquainted […]
June 28, 2022
U.S. inflation continues to make headlines, with the most noticeable impact on the costs of real estate, fuel, and food prices. With inflation on the minds of consumers, our goal is to empower you to make informed decisions about your finances. Here is a quick primer on inflation, interest rates, and ways to safeguard your […]
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 22, 2022
The child and dependent care tax credit helps to offset the cost of child or dependent care for families that pay for care while they work—whether that’s child care, summer camp, babysitting, adult day care, or another form of care for qualifying dependents. Over the years, the child and dependent care tax credit has undergone […]
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 14, 2022
Every Floridian knows when the hurricane tracker tells you you’re in the “Cone of Uncertainty”, it’s time to read Tampa area Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips’ seven hurricane rules. But what if Denis Phillips was a financial planner rather than a meteorologist? What would he say about the market? I imagine a calm, Denis Phillips-like financial […]
June 10, 2022
Bookkeeping can be a love-hate word. For us, it’s a love, but for many small business owners, it’s the latter. Keeping up with the books is a necessary component of running any business, but the task can become overwhelming for a small business owner due to time constraints or lack of knowledge. Proper bookkeeping and […]
June 7, 2022
All too often, we see people missing out on great tax-saving opportunities because they simply don’t know about them. And with tax laws changing every year, it’s not always easy to keep up with the latest tax deductions, credits, and exemptions. Our list of frequently missed tax breaks may help you uncover money-saving opportunities this […]
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 […]
June 1, 2022
We are still dealing with COVID. We’ve seen empty shelves and inflation. We’ve watched Build Back Better drift from headlines to the dusty recesses of media memory. We’re staring down a bear market. As a result, our team has had many clients looking at their portfolios, watching the headlines, and raising questions about their investments. […]
May 26, 2022
If you find yourself struggling to focus on what propels your business forward, consider the following three accounting strategies.
May 24, 2022
While the family office concept has been around for decades, it has seen significant growth in the past 10 years. We attribute this to many of the factors driving other changes in the business world: greater home connectivity and access to information, as well as the tremendous amount of change and upheaval in the wealth […]
May 21, 2022
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are essential for business owners to track over time in order to make well-informed business decisions. This data will help business owners make decisions that directly impact the business today and in the future. KPIs should be monitored on a regular basis (monthly, weekly, etc.). The data being measured needs to […]
May 18, 2022
The vital role of digital transformation in businesses became very clear over the past two years. Those without a robustly digital back-office felt the wrath of pandemic-related disruption, sadly forcing many to close their doors. Propelled by the pandemic, digital transformation is a top priority of small business owners and executives aiming to future-proof their […]
May 10, 2022
“Join me in inviting @elonmusk to move @Twitter to the freest state in the nation! Florida would benefit the company as a whole—we have no state income tax and the perfect business climate. It’s time to book a one-way ticket,” said Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis in a tweet after it was announced that Elon Musk […]
May 6, 2022
A business’s success relies on its product or service excellence; the ability to stand above the competition; and most importantly, finances. This is especially true for small to mid-sized businesses as they operate on a tighter budget and lower margins while they grow. As a business owner, it is vital to know the ins and […]
May 4, 2022
What would you do with a significantly lower tax bill, or even a refund this year? Thanks to special tax rules affecting short-term rental property, you may be able to significantly improve your cash flow by commissioning an engineering firm to conduct a cost segregation study for your short-term rental property. Thanks to the Tax […]
April 28, 2022
It’s no secret that we love Xero cloud accounting for our clients’ back offices. In past blogs we have gone in-depth on the robust features that Xero offers, such as analytics, reporting, customized dashboards, and the ability to seamlessly integrate thousands of third-party apps. Below are some of the additional features of Xero cloud accounting, […]
April 26, 2022
Last week’s blog covered some of the 2022 tax changes that may cause your tax situation to be quite different than it was in 2021. Here are some additional changes that may impact your return for the next filing season. Standard Mileage Rates Mileage Type 2021 2022 Standard mileage rate for business driving/mile 56¢ 58.5¢ […]
April 21, 2022
Although filing your 2021 tax return may still be top of mind, there’s no better time to start planning for the tax changes coming in 2022. Every year brings with it a long list of tax law changes that can affect your bottom line, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with what’s new and what’s […]
April 21, 2022
For a new business owner or start-up introducing a new product, service, or concept, it’s vital to be equipped with tools that can support you and your business. From inception, finances are a key component to ensuring your business succeeds with accounting at the forefront. Cloud-based accounting apps are the key to getting your start-up […]
April 14, 2022
Many small businesses still rely on sending invoices as a PDF or on paper through the mail. Sending invoices in this way can be time-consuming at best. There are also greater risks of lost invoices, security breaches, delayed payments, and inaccurate cash flow representation. eInvoicing is a cloud-based solution to alleviate these pain points and […]
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 […]
April 4, 2022
Having outdated or nonexistent accounting processes can really take a toll on a business, eating up valuable time and exposing the business to risks. As a cloud accounting firm, we see business owners regularly experience a common set of pain points. Cloud-based accounting apps provide business owners with solutions to their biggest accounting struggles while […]
March 25, 2022
Xero is a powerful cloud-based accounting app that provides a central hub for the business’s back office. On its own, Xero can be an incredibly helpful tool for running a business and keeping the finances organized, up-to-date, and accessible on the go. Paired with other industry and task-specific cloud-based apps, businesses find themselves increasing capabilities, […]
March 24, 2022
Self-employed? Here are 7 frequently overlooked ways to make the tax laws work for you Have you launched a new business venture, recently become self-employed, or found yourself side-hustling up a storm? This tax season, make it your mission to get on top of your tax deductions and credits to relieve stress and boost your […]
March 17, 2022
Tax season can be stressful, even when everything goes perfectly. As a CPA firm with decades of experience, we have seen individuals make many mistakes, resulting in costly errors and delays. Whether you’re preparing your tax return on your own or hiring an experienced CPA firm, the best advice we can give is to ensure […]
March 17, 2022
Many business owners like to show their appreciation by giving thoughtful gifts to valued clients and employees. It is a wonderful way to build relationships and show your team just how much you appreciate all that they do. Whether it’s a way to say thank you or happy holidays, there are important considerations to be […]
March 11, 2022
A real estate portfolio can be a wonderful way to grow your investments and provide a business opportunity for future generations. Whether it be commercial or residential real estate, it is important to keep detailed books for each property. As your portfolio grows, bookkeeping can become time-consuming and overwhelming, leaving you at risk of missing […]
March 3, 2022
In 2020, The Paycheck Protection Program quickly became a lifeline for many small businesses impacted by the pandemic. While the SBA was applauded for the program’s quick rollout, there have been many issues and roadblocks along the way for borrowers. The program has seen continuous eligibility and rule changes, leaving borrowers questioning their eligibility and […]
March 3, 2022
Going green is about even more than the environment—migrating to a paperless back office has many benefits that will move your business in the right direction and increase your bottom line. If you’ve considered digitizing your back-office but aren’t sure how it would benefit your business, read on to learn how other companies with paperless […]
February 23, 2022
The deadline for filing 2021 taxes looms around the corner, and once again the COVID-19 pandemic is causing some complications. In addition to the well-publicized IRS backlog, filers this year will need to account for economic stimulus payments and reconcile any advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. We’ve compiled a list of seven things […]
February 23, 2022
Business owners often augment their teams or seek the expertise of freelancers and contract workers for specific functions. Too often, business owners forget to properly document their vendor’s information and earnings, which are needed to file with the IRS. One key form you will need to have a vendor complete is Form W-9. This will […]
February 18, 2022
Nonprofits come in all shapes and sizes but with common characteristics, principles, and needs. While for-profit organizations focus on profitability, nonprofits focus on providing for the community around them and managing incoming funds. Nonprofit organizations are held to certain standards in order to maintain their tax-exempt status, which requires full financial transparency and reporting. Cloud-based […]
February 15, 2022
Whether you’ve been investing in the markets for decades or are just getting started, it’s important to have a future-focused plan that enables you to make informed decisions when economic forces make headlines. News reports don’t always provide an accurate reflection of the economy and investments. Our first webinar of 2022 included a discussion of […]
February 11, 2022
Behind every successful business is a talented team of individuals working together to accomplish the business mission. Supporting a staff, big or small, adds layers of complexity to a business—but running payroll shouldn’t be one of them. If your payroll process is stuck in a spreadsheet or spread across multiple systems, it’s time for a […]
February 10, 2022
If you’ve earned money through an online platform or other source of income outside of a traditional employment arrangement, you will most likely receive Form 1099 in January of the following year. The earnings could come from a wide variety of sources: selling products, subcontracting or freelance work, renting your home or other property, or […]
February 3, 2022
Saving for retirement is a top priority when it comes to financial planning. We all hope to reach financial freedom and enjoy our golden years, live comfortably, travel, and spend time with loved ones. Looking past our own needs, many of us also have family members we wish to provide for long after we are […]
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 […]