| |
Archive for the ‘Change your CPA’ Category
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
It’s mid-summer and I’m here to tell you that if you think that all CPAs are lolling on the beaches, just running out the clock until tax time, you’re gravely mistaken.
CPAs actually work 12 months out of the year, though our press is frequently limited to January 1 through April 15. (And it’s more so toward the latter date than the former!)
If you’ve never worked with a CPA to help plan your business, I encourage you to start now. A well-rounded CPA will be able to guide you through the waters of this strange economic landscape and enable you to make the most of your current financial situation. Together, you’ll be able to tackle each obstacle and uncover each opportunity with panache.
What’s not to like about this kind of partnership?
Best of all, when tax time DOES roll around (and it always happens sooner than you expect, doesn’t it?), you’ll have a CPA on board who can efficiently handle the paperwork associated with your taxes. It’s a win-win!
* * *
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
Join FinancialFutureCFO on Twitter.
Tags: 1 April, 12 Months, April 15, Beaches, Clock, CPA, Cpas, Current, Economic Landscape, Financial Situation, January 1, Limited, Mid Summer, Obstacle, Opportunity, Panache, Paperwork, Partnership, Running, Strange, Tax Time
Posted in Change your CPA | No Comments »
Saturday, March 20th, 2010
It’s inching closer to the April 15 deadline. Yet there are still some people — let’s call them DIYers (”do it yourselfers”) who are committed to finishing their taxes sans help.
Yes, these men and women believe themselves to be pioneers of a sort, intrepid explorers who are loathe to ask for directions. They’d rather blaze a trail than call a sherpa.
Ahem.
Never let it be said that I don’t share their enthusiasm for trying something new or doing something on your own. But when it comes to taxes, hiring a CPA is a much better way to go… especially in “crunch time” (and yes, we’re there.)
When you hire a CPA, you’re not admitting defeat — you’re saying, “Heck, I have better things to do with my time than suffer over which forms I need to complete to avoid sending the IRS the wrong message!”
DIYers, we applaud your spirit. But don’t let that spirit keep you from making a sensible choice. Get a CPA and find a better place to forge ahead.
* * *
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
Join FinancialFutureCFO on Twitter.
Tags: Ahead, CPA, Crunch Time, Directions, Intrepid Explorers, Irs, Men And Women, People, Pioneers, Sensible Choice, Shame, Sherpa, Spirit, Taxes
Posted in Change your CPA | No Comments »
Friday, February 26th, 2010
After April 16th, do you ever review your tax returns for the prior year again? (I’m talking about a typical year, not one in which you get audited or need to file an extension.) Most business owners, especially of very small companies or start-ups, don’t; they just file the returns away. On the off chance they do look at them, they don’t look very hard.
That’s a real shame, because there’s a lot to be learned from last year’s tax return. But you have to have a CPA who’s willing to sit down with you and examine the document for areas of improvement. For instance — could you have allocated funds more strategically? And did you maximize the benefits associated with your allowable deductions?
If your CPA hasn’t suggested evaluating your tax returns to help you plan for next April, it may be time to bring up the topic yourself. (Or perhaps you should start looking for a new financial partner like FinancialFutureCFO.) I know it can be painful to comb through a tax return, but it can also be incredibly enlightening.
* * *
Have you signed up for my FREE report: 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow?
* * *
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
Join FinancialFutureCFO on Twitter.
Tags: Allowable Deductions, Business Owners, cash flow, Comb, CPA, Financial Partner, Hasn, Off Chance, Shame, Start Ups, Tax Help, Tax Return, Tax Returns, Ups
Posted in Change your CPA | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Unless you’re a total maverick, you probably have set routines that you do without thinking each day. You get out of bed on a particular side. You wash your face, brush your teeth and comb your hair in a particular order. It’s all very structured… and that’s important. After all, who wants to think about every little action? That would be ridiculous and time-consuming!
The problem comes when this kind of “automatic pilot” mentality translates to items that we should stop to consider once in a while. I’m talking about things like which insurance carrier we choose (have you stopped to consider you could be paying hundreds of dollars more than you need to?), which cable company gets our money (there are almost always choices…) and, in the business world, the CPA we go to for our financial needs.
In this day and age, there’s nothing wrong with shopping around; in fact, it’s a very smart thing to do. How can you be certain that you’re maximizing your investment and getting the most value if you don’t ever check.
I’m not saying that you absolutely have to change your CPA, but I am encouraging you to take yourself off of autopilot when it comes to who earns the right to help you reach your goals from a financial perspective.
* * *
Sign up for a copy of my FREE report: 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
* * *
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
Join FinancialFutureCFO on Twitter.
Tags: Automatic Pilot, Autopilot, Business World, Cable Company, cash flow, Change your CPA, Choices, Comb Your Hair, CPA, Insurance, Insurance Carrier, Maverick, Mentality, Money, Perspective, Smart, Teeth
Posted in Change your CPA | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Does your CPA like being an accountant?
It’s a funny question, isn’t it? And it’s probably one you’ve never really thought about before. However, it’s incredibly important, especially if you want to get the best value for your dollar.
If your CPA isn’t satisfied being an accountant or spends all day wishing he or she could be involved in another profession, you’re simply never going to get the service you deserve. And believe me — there are plenty of these types of CPAs out there. They’re not difficult to spot, and you probably already know if your CPA fits the picture of someone who would rather be in another line of work.
Now, I’m not suggesting that your CPA has to be some kind of Pollyanna, but if it seems like every task you ask him or her to do is met with sighs, disgust or resignation, it could be time to change CPAs.
* * *
Cash flow on your mind? Sign up for my free report, 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
* * *
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
Join FinancialFutureCFO on Twitter.
Tags: Being An Accountant, cash flow, Cpa Accountant, Cpas, Disgust, Dollar, Funny Question, Met, Pollyanna, Profession, Resignation
Posted in Change your CPA | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
In my last post, I wrote about the need for business owners (and individuals) to contemplate changing CPAs, especially if the relationship with their current CPA just doesn’t seem to be working any longer.
In this post, I’m going to piggyback on that topic area and give you a few characteristics to consider when it comes to hiring your next accountant. After all, if you’re going to take the step to change CPAs, you’d best do it pragmatically!
1. Honesty
You deserve a CPA who will be perfectly straightforward with you in terms of what he/she can do and what he/she thinks of your plans. If you can’t be honest with one another, your partnership will be lacking.
2. Knowledge/Expertise
CPAs should stay up-to-date in their areas of practice. If your CPA doesn’t believe in continuing education… run!
3. Availability
You shouldn’t have to feel like you need Sherlock Holmes to help you track down your CPA. If an accountant wants your business, he/she should be available to you.
4. Reputation
Your CPA should have a spotless reputation. Ask for testimonials and referrals, then contact those people. It’s the best way to investigate an accountant because you’ll get the answers you need.
5. Team Mentality
Your CPA should act as though he/she is part of your team… because he/she IS! If you run into a CPA with an “it’s all about what I want” mindset, move on to the next accountant and don’t look back!
* * *
Cash flow on your mind? Sign up for my free report, 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
* * *
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
Join FinancialFutureCFO on Twitter.
Tags: Act, Business Owners, cash flow, Continuing Education, Cpa Accountant, Cpas, Current, Honesty, Knowledge Expertise, Mentality, Mindset, Partnership, Referrals, Relationship, Sherlock Holmes, Spotless Reputation, Testimonials
Posted in Change your CPA | No Comments »
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
It’s pretty common for individuals and business owners to carefully choose a CPA and stick with him or her almost blindly. But let’s face it — times change and needs do, too. Sometimes, CPAs that were a great match for you and/or your company years ago don’t fit the bill any longer.
If you’re seeing any of these red flags between you and your current CPA, it’s not a bad idea to start investigating other accounting professionals.
- Your CPA is difficult to reach, and when you do reach him/her, you feel like you’re not being “heard”.
- Your CPA has really never taken the time to learn about your business. You feel like just another client.
- Your CPA doesn’t seem to want to learn anything new. This becomes more of a problem with each passing year.
- Your CPA was “inherited” by you and isn’t someone with whom you’d choose to deal.
- Your CPA either always says “yes” or always says “no”… and you feel like it’s just to get you to stop talking.
- Your CPA rushes all projects through at the last minute, giving you little time to discuss them.
Do any of these red flags sound familiar? If so, I’d encourage you to do yourself a favor and start looking around.
Remember — you’re not married to your CPA! So if you’re unhappy with the relationship, it may be time to move on.
* * *
Are you worried about your company’s cash flow? Then sign up for my free report, 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
* * *
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
Join FinancialFutureCFO on Twitter.
Tags: Accountant, Accounting, Bad Idea, Business Owners, cash flow, Company Flow, CPA, Cpas, Current, Last Minute, Little Time, Match, Red Flags, Relationship
Posted in Change your CPA | 2 Comments »
|
|
