| Not only can a certified public accountant handle | | | | and business expenses year round: |
| traditional tax filings and financial statements, they | | | | Deductions |
| may also act as your business adviser on a broad | | | | Your CPA firm can advise you on how to keep |
| range of issues, including: budget plan creation, cash | | | | business and personal deductions separate, which |
| flow projections and investment analysis. While some | | | | creates a major advantage at tax time. And at what |
| highly qualified bookkeepers will also handle some of | | | | level of deduction each expense belongs. |
| those functions, there are certain items that only a | | | | Financials |
| certified public accountant will handle, like audits of | | | | Your CPA firm can review your financials on a regular |
| public company books. | | | | basis - another major advantage at the end of the |
| The financial expertise of a certified public accounting | | | | tax year. Consistent and regular financial analysis is |
| firm can be invaluable, helping a small business | | | | key to a healthy business portfolio. |
| determine how much debt the company can handle; | | | | Business Advice |
| the pros and cons of a loan vs. a line of credit; and | | | | The financial knowledge of a certified public |
| how to seek financing from investors. The certified | | | | accountant and his/her expertise make for an |
| public accounting firm can also handle the more | | | | invaluable component of your small business--one that |
| mundane bookkeeping (sometimes misspelled book | | | | can offer direction and long-term guidance. |
| keeping or bookeeping) but often at a higher cost. | | | | Finding the right individual CPA or CPA firm can be a |
| A certified public accountant (CPA) can make | | | | difficult and time consuming choice. offers an |
| recommendations on variety of systems available, | | | | alternative. They offer a free research service for |
| and know how to establish internal procedures and | | | | small businesses looking for CPA firms and |
| gather important information. | | | | bookkeeping firms. They meet with you to assess |
| Many small business owners will call their CPA firm | | | | your needs and can make recommendations based |
| only when it's time to prepare taxes at the end of | | | | those needs. The service is free to the small |
| the year. However, you can save money on taxes | | | | business. |