Accounting News and Notes

Atlanta/Duluth GA CPA Presents Men Step  Up…Taking Christianity Into the World

I wanted to let you know about something that has been going on for men in Gwinnett County for about 4 years. 

One of the things I have been looking for is a place to grow that is relevant to me as a man in the marketplace. I think I’ve finally found it in a forum called Men Step Up.  This is a weekly forum where men have an opportunity to look at real issues, step up to the truth, and personally interact with the Word of God and one another. 

A lot gets done in an hour (6:30am – 7:30am on Friday).  They serve coffee & doughnuts, followed by a brief opening that sets up a lie commonly held by most men, and the truth about that lie.  Then, there is 20 minutes of discussion with no more that 4 people at a table.  One of those 4 is a table leader who directs the conversation for the other 3 to be heard.  The most important thing that happens is each man takes the specific verse of the week and meditates on it and then discusses what jumps out to him.  Then the discussion is opened up to the room and a large group wrap-up takes place.  It is amazing what comes out of this simple approach. 

Men Step Up has been around for about 10 years with its origins in Alpharetta.  It now has a subscription based on line offering that is available to any man all over the world.  Check out www.menstepup.com 

Locally, Men Step Up – Gwinnett meets every Friday at California Dreaming at 6:30am (I-85 & Old Peachtree Rd. Exit 109). 

If you have any questions, call Casey Sanders at 404-918-5343 or email caseymatts@aol.com 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304 

His CPA PC…A Christian Atlanta CPA Firm: Never Underestimate the Long-Term Benefits 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!

Atlanta CPA Author & Speaker John Dillard CPA to Present at Duluth First United Methodist Church

Happy New Year!

The decorations are down – or nearly down, the celebration with family and friends is past and we’re off into 2010.

27:17 is rolling along too.  There are some great events planned for this year!

This month, John Dillard will be joining us and talking about your role as a believer in mission and the Navajo Family Mission Trip in July 2010.

No matter where you are on your spiritual walk, whether a new believer or old, missions and seeking to serve beyond our walls is a mark of an impassioned believer on fire for the Kingdom of God.  Many of us, if not all of us have frequently asked “what can I do on a mission trip, what do I have to offer, or what can I say to encourage others?”

When Jesus looks about for those to serve, He does not call the equipped but rather He chooses to equip the called.  In this way, God can gain all of the glory for it is only when we humble ourselves that God can truly be exalted.

Food?  A signature of 27:17 events is food.  We’re having shrimp, french fries, a salad and dessert.  It will be a good meal.

Let us know you’re coming and try something new for the New Year – bring a friend!

27:17 is a monthly Men’s Gathering and Dinner open to men of all ages.  27:17 is based on Proverbs 27:17 “Iron Sharpens Iron as One Man Sharpens Another”.  It’s purpose is to bring men together from all walks of life so that they may sharpen each other against the difficulties and temptations in the world.

If you have questions or comments, you can call Bob Balkcom @ 770-241-0146, Carey Odum @ 770-476-4539 or email us at proverbs.2717@yahoo.com.  Hope to see you on Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Duluth UMC “Fish Tank”! 

Duluth First UMC is located at 3208 Duluth Hwy (Hwy 120), Duluth, GA 30096 US

Yours in Christ,
27:17 

John Dillard is a Christian Speaker/Author and Certified Public Accountant (All Rights Reserved). To See how he takes Christ along with him to work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/ (An Atlanta CPA firm) and for his latest book Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s: Job’s Journey and to learn about his ministry visit http://www.john-dillard.com/ To contact John Dillard CPA (Atlanta Christian Author/Speaker) today call 770. 814.9304 Proudly serving Duluth, GA, Gwinnett County and Beyond.

Duluth Christian Men’s Group Service Opportunity

The reason I am writing is because I have a family in Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The local fire department there responded to a house fire Wednesday night. The good news is that  the family didn’t lose the house but smoke damage in one of the rooms where the fire started was bad.

There as a teen age girl that was asleep at the time the fire started in her bed room, the smoke alarm came on and awoke her but her things were smoke damaged and some items got on fire. It was a good thing they used the fire extinguisher to put out the fire.

Below is a list of the immediate needs:

Smoke damage items : Blankets, pillows, sheets, bed, walls need repainted.

Things that got on fire: TV, lamp, plastic drawers

If you know of anyone who would like to help contact Tom Griffin at 678.714.9498 who will be driving out there in the next few days. Tom has such a heart for the Navajo People, the Dine’, that he has bought a van so that he might take items to them several times a year!!!

Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author on Determining to be a Christian Business Owner

As a Christian CPA, Determining to be a Christian Business Owner is not something you can just decide once and for all and then you are done. It is a process much the same is our walk with Jesus in our daily lives and the sanctification process thereof. Becoming a Christian Business Owner requires more than changing your firm name or developing a “catchy” mission statement. In reality it is based upon not only the way you live your personal life but also by the way your conduct your day-to-day business operations. For whether you are dealing with your customers, vendors or employees “walking the walk” and “talking the talk” requires you to make certain business habits and practices indeed an integral part of your every day thinking. These precepts will do much to help you along the way and to guide you in serving God as you work.

Be Informed

No one can master a profession without first its careful study, reflection and practice.  Just as knowledge is the beginning to understanding, and then knowledge the pathway to wisdom, so should we be ever studious in the learned application and knowledge of God’s word; the Bible. By being informed we are most apt to know what God has to say about a particular subject rather than leaving our decision making to our own whims, desires or guessing. Similarly we are exhorted to teach our children in all of our comings and goings and in order to do so we must know the truth and the good news of Christ just as we are encouraged to act our faith in the workplace.

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Be Single Minded

Often our emotions are tossed to and fro like the waves on a ocean, but a Christian Business Owner is one who is not easily swayed but one who remains steadfast and true to his convictions and to God’s teachings. If we are not surefooted in our knowledge then we are apt to fall for perils that lay ahead. For when the storms of controversy arrive and business obstacles arrive in our way, we need to be true to our beliefs allowing us to look ahead to the end goal. A “sure-fire” way to accomplish this is to align our thoughts and paths with God’s while not being afraid to stand for all that we, as Believers, have been taught.

Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Be Profitable

God does not desire for us to be destitute for indeed he desires to lavish great gifts on us ( Matthew 7:11). Though we are not to worship money and the possessions that they allow us, it is fair and just for us to make a reasonable profit. Indeed making a profit is the only way that we will ever be allowed to continue to stay in business and to continue to tell others, we interact with daily, the good news of Jesus Christ. As Christian Business Owners we need to be sure that we pay all of our bills on a timely basis while maintaining fairness in all of our business dealings and contracts. Indeed, we are exhorted to be extra sensitive not to take advantage of those who are less fortunate. Profits do not come easy, nor will they fall like manna from Heaven, but they are the end result of substantive “sweat equity” that a business owner will need to achieve success in their endeavors.

Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Be Proactive

In the book of Genesis we are able to learn of the story of Joseph and how he planned during Egypt’s seven abundant years for the seven lean years of famine that followed. Joseph because of his diligence, insight and administrative skill was able to help the country’s citizenry survive during a protracted down economic time. Just as we worship a God of order so are we to organize our work lives and business to be both efficient and productive. If we plan our business affairs on a proactive rather than reactive basis we are most apt to achieve our goals, make a profit and be a Godly example to others.

Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Be Fair

Our business practices should always be centered and grounded first and foremost in fairness. Though there will often be times when we are in the “driver’s seat” when negotiating with vendors, customers and employees, we should always seek to do what is right rather than what is convenient or to our undue advantage. Doing what is right, by taking the “high road”, will often require both extra effort and expenditures of funds, but it is always the best way as we will remain able to look positively forward rather than fearfully backwards. Whenever possible the Bible states we should show favoritism to those who need it the most by offering friendlier terms and conditions when situations and circumstances warrant.

Isaiah 1:17
learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

Be Consistent

Perhaps there is no greater challenge in our Christian walk that consistency. As the devil roars to and fro in the world looking to whom he can devour and lead astray, so should we be ever diligent not to give evil a foothold. Leaning not on our own understanding but that of our Lord is the only way we can remain strong for it is only in our weakness and our meekness that we are able to draw on the strength of the almighty to order and measure our every step. Living in the present, acting out our faith before others and growing in our knowledge of the Word are our best guarantees to business and spiritual success.

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

The ultimate goal of being a Christian Business Owner is to make disciples and to fulfill the Great Commission. In order to do this we have to first be known as Followers of Christ and then to act in accordance with God’s precepts. By being a good steward and example for others we are able to be used in many various circumstances as the very  hands and feet of Jesus Christ. As God desires success for us and our lives, we in turn are asked by Him to be seen as a light of the Gospel evangelizing to all that we might, as we transact the daily affairs of our business. Living out your Christian faith before others allows us to reach many who will otherwise not know the Lord and to make an eternal and positive difference for the Kingdom.

John Dillard is an author and Certified Public Accountant (All Rights Reserved). To See how he takes Christ along with him to work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/ (a Christian CPA firm) and for his latest book Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s: Job’s Journey visit http://www.john-dillard.com/ 

“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!”

Preparing the S Corporation Income Tax Return K-1 A Guide How to Guide to Prepare a K-1

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Payroll Administration, Bookkeeping.

Serving Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta,  Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Walton, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Henry, Newton, Bartow, Walton, Rockdale, Barrow, Spalding, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, Fayette, Newton, Paulding, Spalding, Walton, Henry, Paulding, Douglas, Coweta, Canton, Covington, Douglasville, Druid Hills, East Point, Forest Park, Griffin, Lithonia, Mableton, McDonough, Milton, Mountain Park, Newnan, Powder Springs, Stockbridge, Union City, Villa Rica, Winder, Woodstock,  Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, and Beyond.

What Does a Christian CPA Interface with Collection Issues

I am often torn myself with what to do when it comes to collection issues in my business and how best I can help others to be able to avail themselves of my CPA firms services. To this end I continually strive to work with clients rather than against them to help resolve collection and billing issues. To this end I believe that:

As a Christian CPA

I should do everything that I might to help keep my fees as low as possible while offering a superior service while charging a midrange profit level/billing rate. I strive to be in the top ten percent of my peers in offering excellence in service, good communication skill and prompt and friendly service while maintaining a mid-range hourly rate.

Work with clients to extend payment terms as long as possible and practical. To this end I have frequently asked clients to propose a reasonable payment plan, in writing, for which I do everything in my power to simply say yes and accept the reasonable payment terms and period offered by a client.

I strive to be sensitive to invoicing issues focusing by not billing for insignificant amounts of time, whether you be a long standing client or a new one. When unforeseen circumstances occur where clients are unable financially to meet current obligations, then I strive to do what I can to reduce the amount due to a more acceptable level, or grant longer payment terms and to be even more gracious.

Being a Christian business owner does not mean that you are to be a wallflower or a doormat as we are all called to be bold in our faith. Helping others does not mean that we should not look to have clients pay what they have legally contracted and agreed to, however by doing the above procedures allows me to do all that I might be able to help clients play me over time. As my faith calls for me to be bold both in action and deed, it does not allow me to take advantage of others. I often have only received payment for services rendered for monies that have been outstanding for over two years as I worked with a clients predicament rather than against it. In fact our average days of receivables for what is actually received is over 200% beyond what our standard payment terms are.

I have frequently asked clients to sit down and discuss collection issues both with just the client alone while remaining  always ready and willing to pursue the Biblical standard of meeting with other Believers or a clients pastor, minister, deacon or elder to help resolve a collection issue or obstacle. For as Believers we are all called to look after the needs of others and to consider others better than ourselves. Thus in all collection issues we have to be able and willing to “walk a mile in out clients shoes” seeing their issues, goals and problems as they do. However when clients fail to take care of their responsibilities or legal duties in a caring and  just matter then we are regardless to remain true to our faith and values. I believe at times we are to walk away from our legal rights and not pursue those monies for those clients to whom will truly never be able to pay due to circumstances beyond their control. However for those who have outstanding monies who do not make a good faith effort to pay, who do not communicate or who have indeed caused their own inability to pay, it may be the better course to enforce appropriate collection when a client by their inactivity or irresponsiveness makes this the only option. No these issues are not easy and it is up for us to seek the truth while seeking the very wisdom of God in learning what we should do. I say this not as a Christian who has done this perfectly or perhaps even well, but as one who seeks to do business by the book, the Bible.

A Christian CPA is one who looks to help others by offering free initial consultations (www.hiscpa.com/initial-meeting.html) and indeed gives back to their community. To see how His CPA does this visit www.hiscpa.com/giving-back.html To see how God led John Dillard CPA to become a Christian CPA firm visit www.hiscpa.com/christian-CPA.html God is indeed good and looks after us and both our short term needs and desires and we are best in his will when we seek to walk boldly in our faith. If you would like to explore a Duluth Christian Men’s Group looking to take these principles to the streets you can read more at www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/01/04/christian-business-mens-group/

Romans 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”

Written by author John Dillard CPA of His CPA at 770 814 9304 and visit www.hiscpa.com/ (a Christian CPA firm). At His CPA we march to the beat of a higher drummer where we put the “Golden Rule” to work each and every day by “Serving God by Serving You…One Tax Return at a Time.”

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Payroll Administration, Bookkeeping.

Serving Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta,  Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Walton, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Henry, Newton, Bartow, Walton, Rockdale, Barrow, Spalding, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, Fayette, Newton, Paulding, Spalding, Walton, Henry, Paulding, Douglas, Coweta, Canton, Covington, Douglasville, Druid Hills, East Point, Forest Park, Griffin, Lithonia, Mableton, McDonough, Milton, Mountain Park, Newnan, Powder Springs, Stockbridge, Union City, Villa Rica, Winder, Woodstock,  Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, and Beyond.

What Does a Christian CPA and Business Owner Look Like

Well first of all he looks like the rest of us as we are all made in God’s image, but that is where the similarities stop and the differences begin. A Christian business owner is someone who always has his “A Game” on striving to serve each and every client as an individual and not a number. A Christian entrepreneur is one who looks to bring his faith along with him/her in action, thought, word and deed. As we as Believers are all called to do everything we take to task, as if doing it for the glory of the Lord. Accordingly a Christian business owner should look to be the absolute best they can be at every moment in their given niche, product and services. To see how we try to do this visit  http://www.hiscpa.com/pressrelease1.html By being involved in Christian circles groups, churches and meetings we are to get our strength, knowledge and wisdom taking His word to the streets being the very hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Though we do work hand in hand often with Christian Attorneys, Christian Bankers, Christian Financial Planners and other Christian owners we are all called to take our work to the streets assisting all those who come into our path regardless of one’s individual beliefs.

The best definition of meekness that I have ever heard or know is “power under control.” Therefore being a Christian Business Owner or CPA does not make you a doormat or require you to not stand up for what you believe. Rather it is a call to action, to defend what is right and to stand for what is good in all walks of life. A Christian CPA looks to the good in people and seeks to help and assist those by words and action by seeking areas of agreement rather than separation. A Christian CPA and business owner will look to see how they might best serve clients seeking first to hear rather than to be understood. For we all know what we know, and it is only when we listen that we are best able to hear the needs and desires of others. In short a Christian CPA is one who looks to help others by offering free initial consultations (www.hiscpa.com/initial-meeting.html) and indeed gives back to their community. To see how His CPA does this visit www.hiscpa.com/giving-back.html To see how God led John Dillard CPA to become a Christian CPA firm visit www.hiscpa.com/christian-CPA.html God is indeed good and looks after us and both our short term needs and desires and we are best in his will when we seek to walk boldly in our faith. If you would like to explore a Duluth Christian Men’s Group looking to take these principles to the streets you can read more at www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/01/04/christian-business-mens-group/

Romans 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”

Written by author John Dillard CPA of His CPA at 770 814 9304 and visit www.hiscpa.com (a Christian CPA firm). At His CPA we march to the beat of a higher drummer where we put the “Golden Rule” to work each and every day by “Serving God by Serving You…One Tax Return at a Time.”

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Payroll Administration, Bookkeeping.

Serving Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta,  Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Walton, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Henry, Newton, Bartow, Walton, Rockdale, Barrow, Spalding, Coweta, Dawson, Douglas, Fayette, Newton, Paulding, Spalding, Walton, Henry, Paulding, Douglas, Coweta, Canton, Covington, Douglasville, Druid Hills, East Point, Forest Park, Griffin, Lithonia, Mableton, McDonough, Milton, Mountain Park, Newnan, Powder Springs, Stockbridge, Union City, Villa Rica, Winder, Woodstock,  Smyrna, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, and Beyond.