Accounting News and Notes

Gwinnett CPA Guides Atlanta Business Owners on Setting up Initial Meeting with a CPA for the First Time

His CPA PC…Offering Free Initial CPA Consultations with Business Owners

Initial meetings with a CPA you are hiring should not only be a time for you to interview the proposed professional but also for you to check on his past accomplishments, overall demeanor, core competency, and overall game plan for addressing your CPA needs. A CPA who has a core program is most apt to be more about serving their needs than that of your own. A good professional should be able to easily adapt to your needs and the changes in those needs while also being sensitive to your own core competencies.

CPA firms who have your best interests at heart are most apt to also refer other outside services such as a payroll company, which is most always a much faster and more economical option than either the CPA or the client preparing them. Also items such as preparing sales tax reports can easily be taught to client personnel saving potential tens of thousands of dollars over a ten-year period.

Often a CPA who has some very specific advice as to a direction for your company will share the information in the first meeting not waiting to be sure to have retained a client, desiring the best for a client rather than solely the service of their own needs and desires. Frequently CPA’s have shared insightful advice that clients have in turn taken back to their present CPA for compliance. Although this is certainly desirous in most all respects as we strive to serve, it fails to contemplate the reasons why advice was not forthcoming originally.

As Believers we are exhorted to excellence in all things and it is to that end a hiring manager looking for a trusted CPA should spend adequate time and effort reviewing a CPA’s resume, credentials, and references.

HIS CPA, P.C. is committed to you and your business’s success. Put our years of experience, business accomplishments and bottom line philosophy to work for you today. Find a CPA who has your best interests at heart. We have learned that throughout the years that working with clients who have their own internal financial statements, such as QuickBooks is essential to keeping your own company’s internal financial statements current as well as to keep their CPA fees to only required minimum levels. The below is a sample letter we might send to a client confirming critiques to their internal financial statements:

It looks like you made some changes to prior months after those months were closed. 

Please be reminded that we do not want to make changes to prior months after those months were closed as it changes your starting point, changes your history and precludes your ability to accurately track profits and losses as they are recorded. 

Please go back and undo all prior changes to prior months and then ensure that the internal books equals the ones that were previously approved. 

Then make any required changes to August and resend the B/S, P/L and detailed year to date transaction search for the Salaries account. 

“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

 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/    (All Rights Reserved) 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. To discover John Dillard’s Published Books and their vision visit  http://www.john-dillard.com/

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, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping

Gwinnett CPA Advises Atlanta Taxpayers that Final Due Date for Corporate Income Tax Returns is September 15, 2010

Gwinnett CPA asks Atlanta Believers: What Are You Doing Today for the Kingdom of God? 

John 13:38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me?” 

If a video is worth a thousand words these will indeed be priceless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsEGkj30R5Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0j3NgC8fXw 

God has a calling on you and your heart. If you will answer it, He will reveal His destiny for you and your life will never again be the same. Call on the Lion of Judah, the Great I Am and found the Lord of Lord, the King of Kings who will be there waiting to support, love guide and direct.

Luke 12:31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

A Christian CPA Firm: Never Underestimate the Long Term Benefits

 John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (A Duluth CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    (All Rights Reserved) 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. To discover John Dillard’s Published Books and their vision visit  http://www.john-dillard.com/

Gwinnett CPA Advises Atlanta Entrepreneurs on Preparing Financial Statements & Bookkeeping Issues 

When reviewing your company’s financial, it is usually best to review your profit and loss being sure to show the current period under review as well as the year to date totals. This will have the added advantage of reviewing specifically the most current operations for any significant variances or trends as well as contemplation of where you stand vs. your annual and year to date goals. Your financials are best reviewed and presented when you also add a column which calculates items as a percentage of sales which allows the reviewer to have a good grasp/rule of thumb of which to measure operational results. The below is a sample of what we might send to a client to assist them with the tracking and recording of your monthly operating results: 

In critiquing your internal books for October I noted: 

I did not get in my package the Profit and Loss for the current month. By your critiquing of both your Year to Date Profit and Loss and the Current Month Profit and Loss you will be able to better evaluate, understand and utilize your internal financial statements. 

Please add to the Both of Profits and Loss Statements you are preparing for this month and in the future the percent of each item of your total revenue. This will allow you to better gage and evaluate your internal costs vs. established standards/pricing standards. 

Please be reminded that you will want to begin using the previously forwarded management report so that you might gain needed/essential financial information for reflection in your internal financial statements. 

Please review the large debt payment of $4K against your long term debt vs. the lower year to date net income of $6K. I suggest that you do not make any larger debt principal payments until the below large variances in your net income are eliminated. Please be sure to prepare a twelve month cash flow analysis/forecast before making any additional debt service payments to avoid the business running out of cash. 

Per your last two months internal financial statements the company has a $11K loss. Please review/advise ASAP to eliminate/preclude further losses. 

Please advise as to what the $3K item is in Fixed Assets was for. 

Please review the charges to the Legal & Professional Fees account and advise as to what they are for and if they are classified correctly. Please be reminded that any costs incurred on behalf of client should be coded to Cost of Goods Sold. 

Please allocate the Credit Card to the Correct accounts as required (i.e., based upon the type of business expenditure required). 

Please note that on your bank account that you have sufficient balances in the bank to cover  open and outstanding checks but no monies in the account. Please advise/correct ASAP so that no NSF charges are incurred. 

“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

 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/    (All Rights Reserved) 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. To discover John Dillard’s Published Books and their vision visit  http://www.john-dillard.com/

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, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, 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, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford & Beyond.

Please be reminded that the IRS/GA offers no extensions beyond the above dates and that after that they both will add late filing penalties to already potentially due late payment penalties and interest. 

“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

 John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (A Gwinnett CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    (All Rights Reserved) 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. To discover John Dillard’s Published Books and their vision visit  http://www.john-dillard.com/

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, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, 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, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford & Beyond

Gwinnett CPA on Addressing IRS Tax Audits 

Be Sure You Pay Only Your Lowest Legal Possible Tax 

The below is a sample of what we might receive from a taxpayers seeking a CPA to help them with their Taxpayer Advocacy Issues.

I just received notice from the Internal Revenue Service, that I am to be audited.  Can you help me or do you know of a Christian CPA that I could contact?  Thanks so much for your time. 

The below is my response:

Thanks for visiting www.HisCPA.com

 I would be happy to help you with your audit. 

I would need a copy of  the returns being audited and the tax notices received. 

Would need you to sign an power of attorney. 

Would need to go over with you what documentation you have to substantiate the items in question being audited. 

This will confirm our advice that:

Please sign and return the enclosed power of attorney and retainer ASAP.

Please be sure that both you and your wife sign/date the power of attorney.

That I suggested you look to be an S Corporation ASAP for legal liability protection.

That you are pulling together the information for the audit and that we will talk approximately 9-1-10.

That you are calling the IRS  tax agent today and advise that you are signing a power of attorney ASAP and that I will contact them the week of 9-1-10. 

Feel free to give me a call and we can discuss. 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    (All Rights Reserved) 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. To discover John Dillard’s Published Books and their vision visit  http://www.john-dillard.com/

“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

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, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, 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, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas.

Gwinnett Christian CPA Firm Advises on IRS and Georgia Unemployment Tax Issues 

The below is a sample inquiry we might receive from a new business owner seeking to address the many issues associated with handling the administrative and payroll tax issues of payroll reporting: 

Hi John, We got set up with the payroll service for our payroll but I have a two quick (hopefully) questions. 

Since I am now an employee, do I just enter my wages under services?

The payroll service  is giving us a payroll report but do we need to create a separate account and with hold all the taxes they are saying or is that something they do? 

The Below is my response:

Payroll tax returns and their attendant issues are the bane of many business owners both big and small.  Tax law at federal, state and local levels often leaves an entrepreneur feeling both dazed and confused.  There is no greater area of need for tax simplification than in the area of payroll tax issues.  Payroll tax returns and payments are due to the varying regulatory agencies at differing times, unique and special forms and often what appears to be conflicting reporting styles and forms.  Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the confusion to which you will help find clarification below.

Withholding: Federal and state withholding (depending upon and varying by state)

Employers are required to submit to their employees a withholding form/certificate, on which the employee documents and confirms their filing status and their number of exemptions.  Employers then are required to use this information to determine the statutorily withholding based upon withholding tables required by the IRS and varying states.  The withholding certificate for the IRS and Georgia are a W-4 and G-4 form respectively.  It is the employees responsibility to complete these forms and then for the employer to withhold these amounts as directed.  All withholding taxes are taken out of an employee’s check and then remitted over to the respective taking authority.  In this capacity, an employer is required to act in a fiduciary capacity in the withholding and payment of these monies.

Unemployment Insurance/Department of Labor:  Both the IRS and the state of Georgia assess against employers an unemployment tax.  This tax is paid exclusively by the company, and there are no required withholding or additional taxes being paid by the employee.  Both the IRS and Georgia limit the amount of taxes a company will pay on any given employee to a maximum salary amount per year.  These monies/taxes are due on the first wages paid a particular employee in any given calendar year.  While the IRS assessment rate/percentage is statutory the rate to Georgia fluctuates based upon an individual companies claims experience.

FICA:  FICA insurance is taken out of an employee’s paycheck and then is matched by the employer.  Like withholdings, FICA taxes taken out of an employees paycheck are treated as fiduciary monies and are required to be submitted over to the IRS with rigidly defined dates, dorms and reporting format and method of payment.  FICA insurance withholdings are calculated based on a prescribed statutory rate and the maximum amount of salary this is based upon is annually indexed for inflation.  These monies are given over to the Social Security Administration for monthly periodic payments to those who qualify when they retire or become disabled.

Medicaid: Medicaid Insurance also is an amount an employee is required to be withheld out of their salary and is in turn matched by their employer.  Medicaid taxes, FICA and federal withholding are all reported and paid concurrently.  However, unlike FICA taxes, which are only assessed up to a specified annual amount, Medicaid taxes are assessed on all of one’s earned income (W-2 wages) regardless of the amount.  Medicaid monies are then used to pay for medical expenses for those who qualify.

Electronic Filing EFTP:  EFTPS is the procedure and process that the IRS specifies employers to use to report and pay all payroll taxes.  EFTPS is where employers report and pay IRS monies electronically and via magnetic media.

Because of the many varying reporting formats, forms, methods and electronic reporting requirements, it is most advisable that all employers (regardless of size) utilize and retain a payroll service to handle all of its payroll needs.  Payroll companies will not only process the actual paychecks themselves, but also prepare the required payroll reports and make the needed tax payments.  This process is relatively seamless as most all payroll companies debit your account for the required payroll taxes at the time of payroll check processing.  Payroll companies also have the ability to make electronic payments directly to an employee’s account thereby saving time and money.

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/ (All Rights Reserved) 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. 

 ”Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

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, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, 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, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas.

Duluth GA/Gwinnett/Alpharetta CPA Encourages You to Let Your Love Light Shine

Taking Christianity Into the World

I recently received the below sample inquiry off of my web site:

I have recently become a CPA in Atlanta.  I am currently working in a corporate accounting environment for a large company. I desire to honor Christ in my relationships, and build meaningful relationships for his glory.  I am sensing that I may have more opportunity to interact with people on a meaningful level as a CPA (offering tax planning, tax service, etc.).  It seems to me that this could be more effective to reach people than remaining in my current environment.

This idea is very much in the planning stage currently.  I have reached out to a CPA who runs a firm in the eastern part of Atlanta who has honored the Lord in his business.  He gave me some helpful input based on his experience. Can you recommend any resources that expand on the idea of using a business (or even more specifically, an accounting environment) to reach out into the community for the glory of God?  Or, can you tell me a bit about your story?  And how would I go about even beginning a venture like this? For His name!

Below is my response:

A Voice of One: Nehemiah’s Prayer is what God has to say about leadership. Humble servant-hood, an open heart, a willing body, an over-comer are all tenants of a someone to whom God can and will do great things through. Unlock the truth of the Bible, putting them to work in your life seeking to be all that God would have you be, while learning how to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

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

Imagine what would happen if all Believers lived their lives unafraid and willing to do God’s bidding when prompted. Freed from the chains that bound them, we would be free to do the bidding of Jesus Christ. Nehemiah’s story is about how one man, a layman, listened to God and did what all thought impossible. Nehemiah, sought the favor of a king, who provided the needed resources he needed to accomplish his task of rebuilding Jerusalem’s broken down walls in just 52 days, A Voice of One: Nehemiah’s Prayer will lead you and your Christian walk guiding you to higher heights still. This is a must read for Believers who are seeking to fulfill their God given destiny and want to live in accordance with God’s will.

Luke 11:33 [ The Lamp of the Body ] “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

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. “Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

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, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping

Duluth/Lawrenceville/Gwinnett/Atlanta CPA on Utilizing Your Bookkeeping, Financial and Tax Return to Gain Key Management Information 

Keep Your Tax Bill As Low as Legally Possible: Only You Can Prevent Undue Tax Burdens

As each business owner/entrepreneurs situation varies dramatically, great care should be afforded in closely held business to ensure that taxes have been appropriately considered for all. When there is more than one partner, it may be wise to consider assisting in making shareholder/member distributions at the highest partners marginal tax rate to ensure that everyone gets at least enough to cover their respective tax obligation. Each of these entities will issue a K-1 to each individual shareholder to reflect their corresponding share of entity profits.

Understanding the Tax Advantages of Being an S Corporation

Although S Corporations have to issue K-1’s and make distributions based upon stock ownership percentages, partnerships, LLC’s, and LLP’s are allowed by law to issue K-1’s and member distributions based on any method that all owners agree upon. This is a distinct advantage partnerships, LLC’s and LLP’s have as agreeing members have the ability to do what they will with the profits whereas S corporations are required to issue distributions and K-1’s based upon each shareholder’s ownership percentage. Your CPA should be your primary financial adviser offering you insight and guidance, even when not initially sought for it is your CPA who is best able to offer information and suggestions to ensure that your business not only survives but thrives. The below is a sample letter we might use to guide a taxpayer with financial insight, while serving as their CPA and Virtual Chief Financial Officer:

Regarding Your 2009 Corporate Returns 

Your 2009 cost of goods sold (cost of doing business) is 90% leaving only 10% to cover salaries and other expenses creating a book loss of $25,000. I suggest ASAP that we review our pricing guidelines and adjust so that margins are at least 20%. This would allow for your operating expenses to approximately remain the same and break-even. To ensure profitability, given present expense levels, I would suggest increasing your gross margin to 25% ASAP. 

Tax law does not allow S Corporation owners to deduct tax losses except to the extent of your tax basis (which is calculated predominantly by a review of retained earnings and current loans made to the company). Therefore this year’s tax loss of $25,000 will be rolled forward to future years when you might have tax basis. 

Tax law requires all S Corporation owners to take a fair and reasonable salary given position and profit. The paying of  excessive salaries, when you have a business/tax loss, has resulted in you paying approximately $14,000 of FICA/Medicaid taxes that would otherwise not be due and payable and $10,000 of 2009 Income Taxes on your 2009 Personal Return that otherwise would not have been due, as your W-2 was taxable, while your losses are suspended as your did not have any tax basis in order to deduct them. 

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 

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! 

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, 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, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas. 

Duluth/Alpharetta/Roswell/Atlanta CPA Guides Taxpayer in Fixing Prior Tax Mistakes 

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Avoid Unnecessary Financial Setbacks 

How to Avoid the Top Five Tax Mistakes  

God challenges all to do all we do as if doing it for the very glory of God. I believe that this relates to our church, home and work life alike. Though none of us will ever be perfect, work, for many of us, is an environment that has fairly consistent and predictable results. Accordingly, it is one area of our lives especially that Believers are afforded an opportunity for excellence at all levels. Though clearly there will be environments and situations where we will not be able to predict or even influence the intended outcome, we should always strive to do our very best. 

Mark 12:33 To love him [Jesus] with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

It is widely recommended that all Atlanta Business Owners and Entrepreneurs should use the services of a Certified Public Accountant. For it is when I most often see miscues, and missteps are when the services of a well qualified CPA are not utilized. Some of the most frequently repeated errors that we review and correct include the below. Just as we are reminded in the Bible that “plans fail for the lack of [good] counsel, so are business owners called to be good stewards of their business, employees and their clients. 

Top 5 Tax Mistakes  

1. Choosing the wrong entity. Before you dash off to either incorporate yourself or to the attorney’s office, be sure to stop by and see your CPA first, because “what you don’t know may cost you.”  As tax and legal business entities are typically available in a wide variety of circumstances choosing the right one will do much to ensure you both limit your tax bill as much as legally possible and to chose a legal entity type that is best suited for your business and both its operational and legal liability limitation issues. 
2. Recording of Depreciation. Tax law generally allows taxpayers to chose from a wide variety of tax methods. Choosing one that is both within the confines of tax law and to maximize you legally allowed deductions. Tax law allows on business tax returns for fixed assets, subject to prescribed limitations and your company’s profit, to write off the amount in full in the year of purchase. 
3. Poor Bookkeeping. Over the decades of experience as an Atlanta CPA, I have seen business after business fail as a result of the owner not seeking to consistently maintain current and adequate books and records that correctly depict the company’s operating results. Just as a ship at sea without a GPS and a rudder is doomed to disaster, so is a business that fails to keep their bookkeeping current and to make wise and judicious business decisions to correct and negative trends and to gain financial insight to making management decisions. 
4. IRS Audits. The adage I am most reminded of is “that the person who chooses to represent himself has a fool for a client.”  Frequently we are called in “after the war is fought so that we can help bayonet the wounded.” I will never forget the pearls of wisdom I heard some years back from a client who said “it is very difficult to do one thing well.” In our world of specialization and the  many myriads of tax law and their interpretation, hiring a CPA is your best first choice in addressing IRS Representation Issues. Back Taxes, Tax Advocacy and an Offer in Compromise. 
5. Going It Alone. There is no perhaps any greater exposure in life than we chose to go it alone. Just as we are all part of the Body of Christ and each part as a different function, so are we to seek out others who have strengths where we ourselves are weakest. Rather than seeing this a failing, you are most strong, prudent and wise when you are most able to seek guidance and wisdom thereby multiplying your strengths and abilities. 

CHARLES COTTON: “WE OWE ALMOST ALL OF OUR KNOWLEDGE NOT TO THOSE WHO HAVE AGREED BUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFERED.”

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. “Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

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, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Business Acquisitions/Sales, Forensic Accounting, Business Valuations and Bookkeeping.

Serving Atlanta, Duluth, Gwinnett, 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, North Fulton County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Cumming, Grayson, Lake Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, Dunwoody, Gainesville, Decatur, Atlanta GA, Gwinnett County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, DeKalb County, Hall County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Forsyth County, Hart County, Jefferson County, Duluth, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Snellville, Roswell, Buford, Smyrna, Marietta, Cumming, Grayson, Hartwell, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Loganville, Lilburn, East Point, Gainesville, Snellville, Buckhead, Buford, Peachtree City, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Decatur, Conyers, Stone Mountain, Decatur. Sandy Springs, Peachtree City, Douglasville, Newnan, Griffin, Woodstock, Carrollton, Forest Park, Canton, College Park, Cartersville, McDonough, Riverdale, Fayetteville, Covington, Stockbridge, Conyers, Clarkston, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Coweta, Dawson, and Douglas