Ask and Receive: The Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Small Business Accountant

If you are considering to hire a professional accountant for your small business, you want one that is experienced, professional, and dedicated to serving your needs. It is important that they will be able to help streamline your finances, save you money, and reduce the chance that you will run into any issues with the IRS. The best accountants will do this by taking the time and giving the attention to understanding your business entirely. Even then, there are questions that you as a business owner should ask to make sure you understand your role and are clear about what exactly you will be getting for your investment in them. There are hundreds of questions you could ask; we’ve broken them down into ten that are of vital importance. Asking these questions of your small business accountant will be a big help in ensuring you are in good hands. (more…)

What Millennials Must Know to Plan for Their Financial Futures

As the baby boomers head into retirement and the Millennials begin to take over the workforce, chances are they have a bit more to think about regarding their financial future than did their predecessors. With a dire outlook on the viability of future social security benefits and an increasingly debt dependent society, it is no wonder that forward thinking young men and women are concerned. As a group entering the job market during a recession, many carrying the weight of massive student loan debt, looking towards retirement can be a bleak picture, but it does not have to be. By making wise decisions and implementing careful planning, Millennials can be on their way to a stable financial picture when their turns come for retirement. (more…)

Farmers and Fisherman to Receive 2015 Tax Penalty Relief

This year the IRS has announced that farmers and fisherman will be granted a relief from tax penalties due to filing past the March 2nd tax deadline. This is excellent news for those who have been waiting to receive corrected 1095-A forms from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Farmers and fisherman were given an extension and are now not required to file their taxes and pay any owed amount until April 15th, 2015. A number of individuals were sent notice that due to an error with the 1095-A forms, they would be receiving corrected ones. This extension and relief from late fees was decided so they would not be penalized and have ample time to prepare their taxes when the new forms arrive. (more…)

Women in Business magazine

“Holding true to her company’s mission, to encourage clients to think about and organize their finances and teach skills and strategies to be more in control of their money,” Cherie emphasizes her ability to engage in open, honest, non-judgmental communication with each of her clients. Cherie states her goal for every client is to “take the stressfulness away from finances.” Mrs. Landwehr explains, “Our clients have an investment in the service we provide them and we take that very seriously.” (more…)

Don’t Be a Victim: IRS Warns about Phishing Scams for 2015 Taxes

It’s that time of year. Tax season is here and the early signs of spring are beginning to peer out from the cold and gray we’ve become so accustomed to. Despite the welcome warmth and sunshine, there is still some darkness that the IRS is urging tax preparers to pay attention to. In an official statement, the IRS warns about phishing scams for 2015 taxes. Phishing of course does not mean sitting in your boat casting a line. It is a scam using emails and fake websites appearing legitimate as a means to gather personal and financial information from unwary victims. This year, there are a number of such scams that are lurking about, and the IRS is working to make sure people understand the risks and how to avoid becoming a victim themselves. (more…)

5 Small Business Bookkeeping Tips

Every small business must have their financial books in order. Taxes, legal stipulations, and making sure you are financially stable are all reasons that there is no way around bookkeeping. Whether you are a careful bookkeeper that has a great system, or you have a pile of receipts and no rhyme or reason, a little advice can be a great help. There are many ways that bookkeeping for small businesses can be streamlined or otherwise improved; here we will look at five. If you are a small business owner looking for a little help with the books, try these tips and make this year a great year for bookkeeping. (more…)

3 Best Accounting Tips for Your Small Business

As a small business owner, you understand the importance of proper accounting practices. Having a system in place to track your cash flow, forecast for the future, and organize everything for an easy tax season is important. However many small business owners have found that they are exceptional at providing their product or service, but are a bit less adept at the accounting side of things. Few people go into business because they are great accountants, and if they do, they have accounting businesses. Fortunately, there is help available. Whether you choose to forge ahead and manage your finances by yourself, or if you hire a professional, a few good tips to help are likely warmly welcomed. Here are 3 of the most important tax tips to help with your small business accounting. (more…)

Tax Refunds: Are You Above Average?

It’s tax time. Across the country people are digging through their files to find receipts and getting ready to file. In 2014, the average tax return amount for all refunds was $2,783. Whether your small business paid into the government or was one of the over 149 million that saw money come back, the importance of correctly filing cannot be underestimated. Nor is the fact that a professional and qualified tax preparer can reduce the amount if you are paying in, and increase the return should one be owed to you. (more…)

What to Bring Your CPA at Tax Time

Finding the right accountant for your small business taxes is an important decision that extends beyond tax season. The right accountant can help you throughout the year to make sure that your business is ahead of the game when it does come time to file. Depending on the financial company you choose to work with and the services they provide, much of the information they need to ensure your taxes are ready to file they may already have. If you are working with a CPA for the first time, or if they do not manage your financials throughout the year, it is important to make sure they have all the documents they need to bring you the best return or lowest payment due that is possible. Though businesses and their tax preparation needs are unique, there are some basic things that a CPA will need to do the job right. (more…)

5 Most Popular Small Business Accounting Software Options

Since the personal computer became a business necessity, companies have been investing in many different software options designed to make their bookkeeping tasks easier. Let’s face it, managing your finances is time consuming and can be a real headache unless you happen to have a degree in accounting. Since most small business owners do not, accounting software can be a very attractive option. Some programs may require a one-time investment. Others, especially cloud-based programs will charge using a scheduled plan. There have been many accounting software firms over the years. However there is a short list of common accounting software options that are the most notable. (more…)