Recent News

Developing a comprehensive AI strategy for your business

We’ve reached a point where artificial intelligence (AI) offers functionality and enhancements to most businesses. Yours may be able to use it to streamline operations, improve customer interactions or uncover growth opportunities. However, getting the max benefit calls for doing much more than jumping on the bandwagon. To make this technology truly work for your company, you’ve got to develop a comprehensive AI strategy that aligns with your overall strategic plan. Identify your needsMany businesses waste resources, both financial and otherwise, by hastily investing in AI without thoroughly considering whether and how the tools they purchase effectively address specific needs....

Businesses can strengthen their financial positions with careful AP management

Running a successful business calls for constantly balancing the revenue you have coming in with the money you must pay out to remain operational and grow. Regarding that second part, careful accounts payable (AP) management is critical to strengthening your company’s financial position. Proper AP management enables you to maintain strong relationships with vendors, suppliers and other key providers. It also helps ensure you avoid costly mistakes, prevent fraud and maintain a steady cash flow. Underperforming at AP management may hamper your ability to obtain the materials or services you need to operate, damage your business’s reputation, and trigger financial...

Update on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On July 4th, President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, a sweeping tax and spending package with significant changes, especially for small business owners. Key Elements of the New Law: Permanent Small Business Tax Deduction and Lower Tax RatesThe 20% small business tax deduction, previously set to expire, is now made permanent. This deduction applies to pass-through entities such as S corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.   Permanent Bonus DepreciationExpensing limits for business equipment purchases have been significantly raised, and full bonus depreciation is now permanent for qualified property placed in service after January 19, 2025. Increased State...

Safe harbor 401(k)s offer businesses a simpler route to a retirement plan

When many small to midsize businesses are ready to sponsor a qualified retirement plan, they encounter a common obstacle: complex administrative requirements. As a business owner, you no doubt already have a lot on your plate. Do you really want to deal with, say, IRS-mandated testing that could cause considerable hassles and expense? Well, you may not have to. If that’s the only thing holding you back, consider a safe harbor 401(k) plan. These plans are designed to simplify administration and allow highly compensated employees to contribute the maximum allowable amounts. Of course, you still must read the fine print. Simple...

DOs and DON’Ts to help protect your business expense deductions

If you’re claiming deductions for business meals or vehicle expenses, expect the IRS to closely review them. In some cases, taxpayers have incomplete documentation or try to create records months (or years) later. In doing so, they fail to meet the strict substantiation requirements set forth under tax law. Tax auditors are adept at rooting out inconsistencies, omissions and errors in taxpayers’ records, as illustrated by one recent U.S. Tax Court case. (T.C. Memo. 2024-82) Facts of the case The taxpayer operated a software installation, training and consulting business. She claimed substantial deductions for several tax years. The IRS disallowed...

Run a more agile company with cross-training

Agility is key in today’s economy, where uncertainty reigns and businesses must be ready for anything. Highly skilled employees play a huge role in your ability to run an agile company. One way to put them on optimal footing is cross-training. Multiple advantages Simply defined, cross-training is teaching employees to understand and perform responsibilities and tasks outside the scope of their primary job duties. It has many advantages, including: Reducing the impact of absences. The potential reasons for any employee missing work are seemingly countless. A staff member may become sick or disabled, have a baby, take a vacation, get...