Blog

In our office, we like to say “we create time”. How do we do that? By using cloud-based software to eliminate administrative tasks. We’ve set up systems for our clients to save them (and their bookkeepers) hours and sometimes days, basically tons of time they’d usually spend writing checks or manually entering things like bills, credit card statements, payroll detail, projections, etc. We put together several software applications that we…  Read more

I was excited to contribute to the article “Short and Sweet Networking Tips for Your Tax Practice.”  which went live last week;  the URL is   https://taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com/practice-management/short-and-sweet-networking-tips-for-your-tax-practice/. I  love collaborating with other tax professionals about issues in our practices and our industry; again one of the advantages of attending industry specific conference. Here is my full submission which included several other important points that I feel work well for any industry: In…  Read more

If you’re like most small business owners, there are never enough hours in the day to complete every task on your list. Often you’re faced with prioritizing what you need to do right now – deal with a customer, meet a deadline, attend an event – and the things you know you should do for the ongoing growth of your business. Scheduling time to attend to these business activities on…  Read more

Small business owners know that to encourage and maintain a loyal customer base, they must stand out from their competitors. Offering outstanding customer service should be the cornerstone of any business and one of the best ways to create and maintain your customer base. How you and your staff treat your customers/patients/clients reflects on your entire business. Unfortunately, many small business owners focus a lot of attention on their products…  Read more

Want Your Goals to Become Reality? Work With Your Accountant to Create & Implement Your 90 Day Action Plan.  A solid business plan encompasses short and long term goals: 1 year, 3 year, 5 year plus an exit strategy.  Staying on track and accountable can often seem overwhelming. In our office we find that the 90 Day Action Plans we set up with our clients are a great tool…  Read more

As a small business owner, you’re likely always looking for ways to achieve more. Maybe you created a 90 Day Action Plan at the beginning of the month or quarter and are feeling the pressure. Have you “taken action” yet?  You might have resolved to make more money, find more clients, or grow your business. It’s fantastic to have an idea of what you want to do, but… How will…  Read more

As a New York State and City EMPLOYER, BUSINESS OWNER, EMPLOYEE, and BOARD MEMBER I, like many of you are required under the NYS and NYC mandate to get Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training and follow specific rules and guidelines. This is a major change in the law that affects every New York employer. “It applies to all employers, both public and private, so long as there are one or…  Read more

Think your taxes went up because of the new tax law, think again. It may be time to hire an expert! Caution! Don’t have breakfast at my house. Those who know us, know that even though the coffee is amazing, our refrigerator is usually bare. Of course if we know you will be visiting we will pick up bagels and cream cheese and you are in luck if we are…  Read more

It’s called DISCOVERY because that’s when we get to ask the questions…. WHO – are we focusing on your personal or business goals or challenges or all of the above WHAT – are those goals or challenges, let’s not focus on a solution “I need to set up a retirement plan”. Let’s focus on the goal “I would like to be able to retire in XX years and be able…  Read more

Do you feel like you are paying too much tax? Yes I know that almost everyone feels that way, but what if you are, and can do something about it… Right now our office is working on several tax plans that utilize: • capital gains planning • entity selection • income shifting • tax deferrals • charitable giving strategies • accountable plans • & more These proactive plans are saving…  Read more

There are specific groups dedicated to networking; you may find networking opportunities via local networking groups, rotary clubs, or at professional conferences you attend.  Opportunities and groups come in all shapes and sizes.  Some groups are highly structured with performance requirements, exclusive membership, and include monthly fees. While others are free form, come as you please and no charge.  With proper planning you will be able to determine which are the…  Read more

“If it Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix IT” doesn’t make sense in the Business World It might not be broken, but carefully thought out processes can help make your business run more smoothly and profitably. An analogy was playing in my head as I was updating my PowerPoint about the benefits of implementing practice management for a recent accounting conference: Several times during the week one of the staff used the…  Read more

The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act has created new limits on the business meals and entertainment deduction.  This limits the employee meals deduction to 50% and eliminates entertainment deduction entirely. Understandably a hot topic, getting value out of the meals is the subject of this morning’s article published the Journal of Accountancy: 8 Tips For Making the Most of Business Meals https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/newsletters/2019/sep/business-meals.html Their tips for getting the most out of…  Read more

I love what I do, but I also know that it is important to consider my expected lifestyle and cash flow needs once I am retired (is that even an option).  My husband and I are in agreement that an investment in real estate should be considered/included in our portfolio when building your retirement portfolio, if for no other reason than there are benefits of this type of investment for: long…  Read more

Remember your software, like your workout equipment, is just a tool or piece of equipment.  My recommendation, when working towards your goal with your accountant who is a well-trained and knowledgeable accountability coach you will be more successful reaching your maximum profitability.  Compare this to working with your training coach or with a piece of exercise equipment which keeps you on track.  Watch my short video about my after tax…  Read more

Small business owners already have a difficult and time-consuming job running their business. If their business is open five days a week, they usually need the weekend to catch up on paperwork, pay bills and manage any tasks they didn’t get to during the week. For those with a seven-day-a-week business, there’s even less time off. They often feel the need to be onsite any time the business is open,…  Read more

Many small business owners assume that cyber attacks only happen to big companies, banks or governments. But the truth is, limited knowledge of digital security and lack of defenses make small businesses particularly vulnerable to attack as well. Research shows that 71% of all cyber attacks happen to businesses with less than 100 employees – and yet many CEOs have yet to invest in a formal defense plan. The July…  Read more

Have you ever pondered over an issue and felt the stress building up only to find that the solution pops into your head while you are in the shower, on a long walk, or sitting in traffic? I was working with a couple on a retirement and relocation plan. During our discovery session, I could practically feel their stress over some very hard decisions they would need to make over…  Read more

Funny how 6 months after this NPR interview with me and several other accountants we are still requesting clarification from the IRS on the business provisions included in the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act. So much for tax simplification…  Read more

Save money by hiring an expert, know when to ask for help Imagine this … A group of friends were invited to dinner hosted by a famous chef. In greeting one of the guests, a well-known photographer, the chef commented: “I love your photos. You must have a very expensive camera.” The photographer smiled to herself and walked into the dining room. After dinner, the photographer approached the chef and…  Read more