52 tagged with "CPA"
Guidance on choosing, working with, and understanding Certified Public Accountants
ASC 842 Lease Accounting for Private Companies: Putting Operating Leases on the Balance Sheet
ASC 842 requires private companies to capitalize nearly every lease longer than 12 months as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. This guide walks through the five-criteria classification test, the six-step calculation, the risk-free rate and short-term lease expedients, and the audit findings that most often trigger restatements.
Section 280E: How Cannabis Businesses Survive a 70% Effective Tax Rate
Section 280E bars cannabis businesses from deducting ordinary expenses, pushing federal effective tax rates past 70%. A walkthrough of the math, the COGS lever under Section 471, key Tax Court rulings (CHAMP, Olive, Harborside), and what 2026 rescheduling could change.
Form 3115 Demystified: How to Change Your Accounting Method and Unlock Tax Savings
Form 3115 lets U.S. taxpayers change accounting methods and use a Section 481(a) adjustment to recover missed deductions or correct multi-year errors on a single current-year return, without amending prior years.
ASC 718 Stock-Based Compensation Accounting for Startups: A Practical Guide
ASC 718 requires startups to recognize the grant-date fair value of equity awards as compensation expense over the vesting period, even when no cash changes hands. This guide covers measurement, recognition, forfeitures, modifications, disclosures, and the audit pitfalls that derail funding rounds.
Tax Solutions for Small Businesses: How to Pick the Right One Without Overpaying
A category-by-category comparison of the five real tax solutions small businesses use in 2026 — DIY software, professional-grade platforms, hybrid bookkeeping subscriptions, local CPAs, and in-person chains — with price ranges, fit criteria, and signs you've outgrown your current setup.
How Tax Professionals Streamline Client Tax Prep With a Better Bookkeeping Pipeline
A practical guide for CPAs and enrolled agents on building a bookkeeping pipeline that delivers tax-ready financials by mid-February — covering client segmentation, in-house vs outsourced models, standardized handoffs, and how plain-text accounting fits in.
Are Tax Preparation Fees Deductible? A 2026 Guide for Business Owners and Self-Employed Filers
Personal tax prep fees are no longer federally deductible after the 2026 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but business owners and self-employed filers can still deduct the business portion on Schedule C, E, F, 1065, 1120-S, or 1120—if they allocate and document it correctly.
The Tax Professional's FAQ: Working with Bookkeepers Without the Friction
A practical FAQ for CPAs and tax preparers who inherit a client's books from a third-party bookkeeper—covering opening balance verification, year-end document checklists, 1099 ownership, cash-to-accrual conversions, and the handoff habits that prevent March surprises.
The Client Intake Form That Saves Accounting Firms 20% in Lost Revenue
A diagnostic accounting client intake form captures decision-makers, transaction volumes, historical issues, and billing constraints — preventing the scope creep that costs firms up to 20% of annual revenue.
Engagement Letters for Accountants: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Practice
Over half of tax-related professional liability claims against CPA firms involve engagements with no signed engagement letter, and firms without one see average claim amounts rise 19% to 71%. A well-drafted letter defines scope, caps liability, and converts the riskiest part of onboarding into a defensible client relationship.
How Much Does a Tax Advisor Cost? A 2026 Pricing Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses
Tax advisor pricing in 2026 ranges from about $150 for a simple Schedule C to $5,000+ for multi-state S-corp returns. This guide compares CPAs, enrolled agents, tax attorneys, and DIY software so you pay only for the tier you actually need.
Tiered Pricing for Accounting Firms: A Good-Better-Best Playbook
A working playbook for designing three-tier accounting firm pricing—Essential, Strategic, Comprehensive—that anchors buyer decisions, enforces scope, and lifts average revenue per client without adding headcount.