<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=351166518341071&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Skip to main content

«  View All Posts

small business taxes /
small business accounting

Tax Time is a Teachable Moment

April 14th, 2016 | 4 min. read

By Brian Paulson

tax-season-small-business.jpg

Small business owners are under a lot of pressure during the annual tax season. But once you've prepared and filed your forms, take a bit of time to learn from the process to prepare for next year. It's helpful to evaluate your process and your accountant's performance (if you used one) to determine if a higher level of service is right for your business.

Here are actionable steps to take after tax season:

Evaluate Your Process

How was your record keeping this year? Did you potentially lose out on business deductions because you were scrambling at the last minute to organize a year's worth of receipts? Make this the year you simplify the process by tracking your expenses as you go, on the go. It's easier said than done for the small business owner, but there are apps and software to help simplify the process. Check out Mile IQ for tracking your mileage and Expensify or Evernote to quickly scan and organize those receipts.

In addition to staying organized, educate yourself on local, state, and federal tax regulations to maximize your deductions, even if you use an accountant to prepare your annual taxes. Not only will you be able to organize your documents in a more efficient manner, you may also have a better understanding of why your accountant requests certain information.

If you haven't already created separate banking accounts for your personal and business banking needs, you may want to consider doing so, even if you are a one-person shop. Splitting your accounts helps streamline tax preparation and provides a cleaner way to address the health of your business. Start by opening a separate checking account with your bank and secure a credit card exclusively for business expenses.

More Resources: 

5 Tips for Separating Your Business and Personal Finances 

How to Take Back Control of Your Business Finances

5 Financial Reasons Businesses Fail


Evaluate Your Accountant

Did your accountant communicate with you effectively? Did they offer proactive tips after preparing your annual taxes? Did you have to file for an extension? Now is the time to evaluate the performance of your current accountant. An effective accountant should feel like an arm of your business, invested in your goals and overall success. 

As a small business owner, you may have a friend or family member handling your tax preparation. This can be a difficult situation if you find errors or become subject to an audit. As your business has grown, so too have the financial obligations. It may be a sign that you need a professional accountant with more experience.

On the other hand, if you do use a professional accountant for your annual tax prep and filing, you still need to evaluate their performance. Were they willing to explain your tax forms, any potential deductions, and the filing process? Did you feel comfortable that they had your best interests in mind? You shouldn't feel stuck in an accounting relationship that didn't deliver up to your standards, and switching to a new accountant is easier than you think. Your accounting service has a strong impact on the long- and short-term success of your business. If the one you’re working with now isn't giving you the support, advice, and service you expect, then they aren’t the right financial partner for you.

More Resources:

How to Transition from In-House to Outsourced Accounting

3 Signs You've Outgrown Your Current Accounting Firm

Checklist for Evaluating Your Current Accounting Service


Seek Year-Round Advice

Annual tax filing and one-time advice may not be enough to grow your business. A monthly accounting firm not only saves you time to run your business well, freeing you from the books, the service also provides proactive tax advice year-round. 

By helping you plan early for your tax responsibilities, they ensure you don’t run into surprises at the end of the year. A monthly accountant will also help minimize your liability by offering personalized tax-saving strategies.

Unlike annual accounting services, which just offer year-end tax preparation, a monthly service can actually advise you on how to run your business better. Your monthly accountant knows exactly what is happening with your finances throughout the year and can help you understand trends, make predictions, and plan ahead to achieve your goals.   

More Resources:

12 Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Accounting Service

3 Services Your Business Needs to Thrive 


 

Wondering if it's time to consider a monthly accountant but not sure about the cost and value of hiring in house or outsourcing? Download our Accounting Cost and Value Comparison for Small Businesses today!

 

 

 

Brian Paulson

Brian began working at CSI in 1996, and he purchased the business in 2002. As Owner, his primary role is in the management and growth of the firm. Since 2002, the firm has more than quadrupled in size. In 2009, Brian started CSI’s payroll service to complement CSI’s accounting and tax services. Brian received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota, with a double major in Accounting and Financial Management. He’s a member of both the National Society for Tax Professionals and the National Society for Accountants, and he serves on the board of directors for the Professional Association of Small Business Accountants, where he was once president. Brian also serves on the business advisory council for Opportunity Partners, an organization that helps people with disabilities find employment. He’s also contributed to several business books, including Six Steps to Small Business Success and The Lean Mean Business Machine. Fun Fact: To help put himself through college, he used student loans, delivered pizzas, and worked summers in a salmon processing plant in Alaska.