Monthly Archives February 2023

Are you looking for someone to manage the books and records for your small business? Whether you’re operating a startup or an established business that recently lost its bookkeeper, hiring the right person for these tasks can be challenging. Selecting a candidate in today’s job market requires a rigorous process. It’s important not to be hasty or wing it during the interview. Give your job posting adequate time to attract a healthy sample of qualified candidates. Write up a detailed job description with the help of your management team. Then brainstorm a comprehensive list of questions. Here are 10 questions
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Accounting is a critical element when launching a successful business venture. Unfortunately, it’s also an area where startups tend to make mistakes. Here are some common (and avoidable) errors that entrepreneurs should watch out for. Failing to track expenses Starting a new business is exciting — and it’s natural to focus on generating revenue and building business relationships. But it’s essential to keep detailed records of expenses, including receipts and invoices. This will help you properly allocate costs, price products and services, assess and improve financial performance, and claim tax deductions. Forgetting to reconcile accounts Reconciling accounts involves comparing your
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The 2022 mid-term election has shifted the scales in Washington, D.C., with the Democrats no longer controlling both houses of Congress. While it remains to be seen if — and when — any tax-related legislation can muster the requisite bipartisan support, a review of certain provisions in existing laws may provide an indication of the many areas ripe for action in the next two years. Retirement catch-ups at risk The SECURE 2.0 Act, enacted at the tail end of 2022, reportedly includes a technical drafting error that jeopardizes the abilities of taxpayers to make catch-up contributions to their pre-tax or Roth retirement
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CPA firms do more than audits and tax returns. They can also help you with everyday accounting-related tasks, such as bookkeeping, budgeting, payroll and sales tax filings. Should your organization outsource its accounting needs? Here are five potential advantages to consider when evaluating this decision. 1. Professional advice. Outsourcing to an experienced CPA firm provides access to professional guidance related to tax, legal and financial matters. This makes it easier to remain compliant with rules and regulations and avoid costly mistakes due to a lack of knowledge or errors in interpreting complex regulations. By engaging a third-party firm, there’s a
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When companies report financial results, they often rely on estimates made by management. Examples include the allowance for doubtful accounts, warranty obligations, costs of pending litigation, goodwill impairment and the fair values of acquired intangible assets. How do auditors evaluate whether amounts reported on the financial statements for these items seem reasonable? Inquiry and testing Accounting estimates may be based on subjective or objective information (or both) and involve a level of measurement uncertainty. External auditors evaluate accounting estimates as part of their standard audit procedures. For instance, they may inquire about the underlying assumptions (or inputs) that were used
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