Accounting guidance help
August 02, 2024
by a searcher from Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Hi all -
I'm looking for some guidance on when a CPA vs. Bookkeeper should be used. I'm in talks with a small business that has really wonky financials and I need some help to 1) Figure out the actual cashflows of the business, 2) help prepare the business for paying taxes for this fiscal year, 3) giving me some accounting guidance when I take over the company (e.g., when do I take an owner's salary, etc.)
What have people used for these types of needs? Can a book keeper do this? Should I hire a tax accountant for example? Are there services or accountants that folks would recommend?
Thanks
from University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Raleigh, NC, USA
Once you close on the business, a bookkeeper can be valuable in making sure all transactions are posted, everything is reconciled, etc. so that you will have accurate numbers to prepare your tax return. One thing to think about is will you keep your books on the cash basis of accounting, or will you do full accrual accounting, which paints a better picture of how your business is doing.
One thing you may want to consider is forward looking forecasting such as cash forecasting and forecasting the P&L and balance sheet to help you drive the business where you want it to go.
As a fractional CFO firm, we perform bookkeeping and forecasting to help our clients run their business. We also do other things to ensure the success of the business (compliance, tax strategy, risk management, etc.).
I'm happy to schedule a call with you to discuss this in more detail.
from Texas A&M University in Johnson City, TN, USA
Your bookkeeper will send invoices, enter Bills, categorize expenses (ideally from a synced bank account and credit cards). In my experience, this is typically in house, and often part time need. I combine this roll with checking mail, answering phone, certain customer or logistics touches, material quoting /ordering, reporting.
Your accountant may perform checks, monthly sales tax filings, annual fed and state tax filings.
A CTO/comptroller is something that I think is well outsourced to the many fractional CFOs out there. You will know if and when you need one. Typically for larger operations with more complicated bookkeeping needs, perhaps several sites or add ons.