CPA firms do more than audits and tax returns. They can also help you with everyday accounting-related tasks, such as bookkeeping, budgeting, payroll and sales tax filings. Should your organization outsource its accounting needs? Here are five potential advantages to consider when evaluating this decision. 1. Professional advice. Outsourcing to an experienced CPA firm [...]

  Remote work became a buzz topic when the United States went into lockdown mode in 2020 to combat the effects of COVID-19. Like many companies, audit firms quickly shifted to remote auditing with video conferencing and drones. Now that the country has largely reopened, will auditors continue to work remotely? Remote auditing “definitely continues [...]

  Almost 40 years after its launch, QuickBooks® remains the leading accounting software program for small and medium-sized businesses. If you decide to use QuickBooks for your bookkeeping needs, you may have questions about implementation and using it to run your operations. Here are answers to some basic frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you [...]

  Timely, accurate financial information is essential to running a successful business. There are a number of accounting methods you can use to record and track your business’s financial performance. Here’s an overview of cash, tax and accrual basis accounting to help you choose a method that’s appropriate for your situation. Cash basis Often startups [...]

  For years, there was talk of converging U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). While the formal convergence project lost steam about a decade ago, Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Chair Richard Jones assured stakeholders at a recent Financial Accounting Foundation meeting that convergence discussions are still regularly [...]

  What do Tesla cars, smart TVs and equipment used for making french fries have in common? The answer is embedded software, according to recent comments by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Vice Chair James Kroeker. He also told the Private Company Council that today’s mixed accounting model for software costs is outdated and should [...]

  If you ask some business owners why they do things a certain way, they might answer, “Because we’ve always done it that way.” But with all the changes that have taken place in the financial and accounting realm, doing things the way you’ve always done them could be costing your business in terms of [...]

  A leadership departure in your accounting department can create turmoil, at least temporarily. However, it also provides an opportunity to assess the department’s performance and create a vision for how it should perform in the future. Here are four questions to address if your CFO or controller leaves. 1. Is the job description up [...]

  Financial reporting isn’t all about profits. Not-for-profit entities can also benefit from implementing formal accounting processes. From preparing budgets and monitoring financial results to paying invoices and handling payroll tax, there’s a lot that falls under the accounting umbrella. Are these tasks, and others, being managed as efficiently at your organization as they could [...]

  How accurate is the amount reported in your company’s perpetual inventory system? To best answer that question, a physical count is essential at year end. For calendar-year entities, year end is fast approaching on December 31. Planning tips Though physical counts may be seen as time consuming and disruptive, a well-executed count of what’s [...]