The pandemic seems to be the center of the stories being told in our world today because of the disruption it caused in every area of our lives. The accounting and tax sectors were not spared from this disruption either. The reason is that many clients, especially business owners, do not only seek accounting and tax assistance during uncertain times, they also desire business insights and workable plans, and they believe they can get this from someone familiar with their finances. Fortunately, many CPA firms were able to manage the different situations their clients were faced with effectively. They achieved this by assessing their clients' needs since they had an existing knowledge of the business. Below are the recent events and stories in the accounting and tax services: 1. Foremost, I will like to start with a notable change in the accounting profession: the recent adjustment in the CPA exams. The pandemic made accounting and tax professionals perform many roles for their clients more than they did. It became necessary to review the exam criteria of becoming a CPA. Topics such as the testing of the difference between IFRS & GADP standards, the alternative minimum tax, trusts and estate taxation in the REG section; and defined benefit pension plans and derivative journal entries in the FAR section, which were a standard part of the exams are to be phased out, while priority is given to topics such as understanding business processes, automation, data analysis and "the need for a digital and data-driven mindset." It cannot be any more accurate that the disruptions caused by COVID-19 helped shape this decision as people involved in accounting and tax services had to evolve and play new roles. New sets of risk management issues were exposed, and more than ever, businesses had to find strategies to survive the threats posed by the pandemic on their revenue. Majorly we have seen more requirements of Accounting Services in USA with these businesses also demanding tax services specially in case of the Taxation Services in Houston . CPAs became the primary advisors to analyzed the numbers and also helped assess business decisions that would impact their client's bottom line. It became apparent that CPAs will be expected to offer advisory services to their clients and help clients make intelligent decisions by analyzing available data. 2. Nick Swedberg, a CPA with a client base of majorly (about 75%) restaurants and small craft breweries owners in Minnesota. During the pandemic, restaurants and small craft breweries were greatly affected. As a result of this, Swedberg needed to find a way to keep his clients in business, so he came up with different solutions for them, which included implementing to-go sales and deliveries. As these businesses were about to branch out, it was observed that they had to answer questions about how feasible and profitable this action will be. Also, employee compensation, car insurance, and handling tips were to be checked because these factors are strictly regulated in Minnesota. Swedberg was able to achieve this with Excel. In addition, Swedberg helped some of his clients obtain permission from the local government for a temporary exemption from specific regulations. This brought about more flexibility for these businesses as they could expand outdoor when the government banned indoor dining. One of his clients was able to utilize the parking lot in his town, while a brewery owner client was able to make home deliveries of his goods by working hand-in-hand with the local board of health. Swedberg served as a guide in helping his clients work through their creative ideas. He took it upon himself to help them organize their thoughts and then make an actual financial projection to know if the idea was workable. 3. For Sandy Shecter (CPA, CGMA), her major clients were health practitioners whose businesses were affected due to the lockdown. Sandy took the initiative of helping her clients apply for the Paycheck Protection Programs, loans, and grants. Three vital roles played by Sandy's firm were that they provided data and projections to help their client make good management decisions, introduced new methods of working with patients, and providing solutions to technological needs. 4. For Brandon Hall, his clients were in the real estate sector, and during the pandemic, the rental income went down. This development left Hall with no choice but to act as an outsourced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for his Clients. Not only did he perform a real estate portfolio analysis for his clients to improve performance on rental income, but he also came up with tax minimization and cost-segregation strategies to help them improve cash flow. 5. For Shin, some of his clients were in the construction sector in Colorado, and their finances weren't affected by the pandemic. However, their challenge was that they had issues hiring sufficient workers/contractors. This situation made Shin's company shift its focus on things such as reevaluation of the hiring process, billings (especially because of the extra cost of getting Personal Protective Equipment). They also got involved in training on remote work and the benefits of a home office for their professional clients. To sum up, the accounting and tax sector has experienced some unprecedented changes these past few months, and interestingly, these changes are here to stay.

The accounting industry is changing rapidly with the rise in technology. Technology, a word synonymous with development, has been an effective tool when it comes to industries development. Technology improves systems and processes, automating manual tasks, and easing off the workload. Accounting, tax service, and consulting jobs have been made easier as personnel can be more efficient and operate more effectively. Technology is the root of the next big things in accounting, tax service, and consulting. Improvements in technology are taking the accounting, tax service, and consulting services to new levels. These improvements are: Automated accounting process: It is without a doubt that accounting, tax service, and consulting are time-consuming and laborious. Banking, tax preparation, payroll, audit, and other time-intensive aspects of accounting are rapidly becoming fully automated. As self-learning continues to thrive due to artificial intelligence, a task that would have taken days to complete is now done in hours. Technology is taking on most of these repetitive and onerous tasks. The industry has seen a steady increase in efficiency due to integrating technology with accounting processes better. Major software vendors such as Sage, Xero, OneUp, and Intuit automated data entry and reconciliation options in companies accounting and bookkeeping especially when we search Accounting Services for Small Businesses . This can be directly traced back to the integration of machine learning and AI. Larger firms also use robotic process automation AI integration to increase efficiency by reducing the overall processing time for audits. Cloud computing: Cloud computing is one of the next best things in accounting. Cloud computing is simply the on-demand accessibility of computer system resources without direct active management by the user. It means accounting firms can access their accounting systems remotely at all times. This gives instant access to high data and computing capacity. As with all system that uses cloud computing, the accounting or tax firm using cloud computing will have access to updated information at any point in time. The cloud’s ability to synchronize information allows accountants, tax officers, consultants, and clients to evaluate data and decide based on a piece of up-to-date information. This enables constant monitoring as opposed to recurrent analysis whenever the data is updated. Cloud computing also the creation of workflows which is essential for effective time management. The accounting industry exploits cloud computing; it becomes better with improved integration of intelligent technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and machine learning. Artificial intelligence and Machine learning: Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence specializing in building systems that learn based on the data they interact with. On the other hand, AI is the ability of a computer to perform tasks associated with intelligent beings. AI is producing incredible results in accounting, tax service, and consultation. It is capable of analyzing huge volumes of data at incredible speeds. This has helped accounting and tax firms to increase productivity and generate accurate data at a reduced cost. It also optimizes accounting processes and administrative tasks that result in various organizational changes. Blockchain Technology: Blockchain technology is best described as a decentralized, distributed account book that records the attribution of a digital asset. This computer-based recording system uses cryptocurrency within a user-to-user network. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major Blockchain offer digital currencies in which the transaction record is maintained independently of a bank. New units of currencies are also generated autonomously without the influence of the bank. Blockchain technology has progressed significantly and has created a niche of its own in the accounting sector. This is as a result of the presentation of the possibility of a new type of accounting ledger. This constantly updated ledger eliminates the threat of data alteration and corruption. Blockchain allows users to access updated and verified ledgers in real-time. It also creates records transactions and smart contract which is embedded into the ledger. Many of the top firms now accept Blockchain-based payment and top accounting firms implement Blockchain. Another major impact of Blockchain technology is that it lowers the cost is reconciling and maintain ledgers. This is done while keeping the ledger accurate in terms of ownership ad history of assets. Blockchain technology allows accountants to gain a more clear view of their organization’s available resources and obligations. Account software solution upsurge: The implementation of technologically-driven solutions in the accounting and tax service business has deepened in the last few years. The demand for computerized accounting grows, and accounting software firms have been responding with the creation of robust solutions. The software is made to optimize the accounting processes while reducing manual tasks. This trend will continue for a while since the accounting and tax service market is constantly growing. This growth will increase the demand for accounting software to manage accounts, maintain and keep records, and better understand tax management. Data analytics: Data Analytics is simply the science of analyzing raw data to derive meaningful information. Accounting, tax service, and consulting have shifted their attention to data analytics. This shift of attention has made the data analytics job role a valued position in the industry. Analysis helps accounting and tax firms develop prized acumens, which also them to identify process progresses, manage risk and increase efficiency. Data analytics has been around for a while, but it is now on the high rise. It is giving new light to the financial performance and presenting better actionable options. Data analytics has become a “thing” in the accounting industry, with many CPAs utilizing the best data analytics solutions proficiencies. Data analytics has applied to support industry-specific needs in consulting, auditing, tax, and risk management. Outsourcing accounting functions: Outsourcing might not be new, but the rise in tax and accounting functions outsourcing is primarily due to technological development. One of the benefits of outsourcing is the management of a firm’s limited resources without compromising the quality of service received. This also reduces costs such as taxations, salaries, training, benefits, payroll, and other employment costs. Outsourcing now allows CPA firms like CKO CPAs & Advisors to add value to their business by rendering better service to their clients. The numerous benefit of outsourcing has made this a trend in the accounting industry. This has also created a volume of respected careers globally. All these point to one thing: technology permeates the accounting industry and is the primary cause of the rapid progressive change in the industry. The next big thing is accounting, tax service, and consulting is as a result of technology.

Accounting and taxation are two separate systems that are intrinsically connected. Although, accounting may not always involve taxation, taxation usually involves accounting because you cannot do taxes without accounting. Nevertheless, they are both associated with economics and finance. To set things in perspective, let’s check the definitions: Accounting: This is the process of recording business-related financial transactions, which includes summarizing, analyzing, and reporting these transactions to supervisory authorities, regulators, and tax collection bodies. Taxation: The simplest definition of this term can be seen in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary. taxation is defined as an amount of money that a government requires people to pay according to their income, the value of their property, etc., and that is used to pay for the things done by the government. Consulting: There is a general belief that consulting is about giving expert advice about a specific filed. As true as this seem, there is more to consulting than just giving advice. According to Harvard Business; the tentacles of consulting also spread to involve helping a client solve their problem, assisting clients or organizations with the implementation of the recommended solution, making a diagnosis, which may necessitate redefinition of the problem, making recommendations based on the diagnosis, etc. Interestingly, there are several cases whereby the expectations about these systems or fields differ from reality. Again, let’s start with accounting . Accounting: Expectation versus Reality Below are some of the general expectations and realities about accounting: 1. Expectation: You have to be a math guru to delve into accounting. Reality: Accounting is not pure mathematics. You are not expected to punch the calculator and solve complex mathematics all day. Many accountants usually do the math heavy-lifting with Microsoft Excel. The fact is that accounting does more of documenting, guiding finances and operations for individuals and companies. 2. Expectation: Accounting is all about tax preparation. Reality: That’s not true. There are many other responsibilities attached to accounting asides from tax preparation, and this includes: maintaining a record of assets, liabilities, profit, and loss, preparing financial reports, collecting receivables and making payments, and processing a company’s payroll. 3. Expectation: People often expect that the accounting field should be a male-dominated field. Reality: Accounting is not gender-specific. Suppose you have a flair for numbers and economics. Nothing should stop you from exploring the field. 4. Expectation: There is no much fun about Accounting. It is for the nerds. Reality: Accountants are not boring people that solve math all day. They interact with people (clients) and help organizations with structure and processes. Taxation: Expectation versus Reality Below are some of the general expectations and realities about Taxation : 1. Expectation: A young person, especially a student, should not pay taxes. Reality: This is quite relative. If the young person or student is a dependent and has an annual income of less than $12400 (for 2020), then filing a tax return is not compulsory. Regardless, they should file; they may get a refund, especially if their employer holds back some of their income for tax purposes. 2. Expectation: Home business should be tax-deductible Reality: This is not always the case. The structure put in place by the IRS does not permit some entrepreneurs to claim the deduction, mainly if the home business space is not defined. 3. Expectation: It is not necessary to report cash earnings. Reality: Since cash earnings is an income, you must report it else; you should be ready to welcome the IRS’ invite. 4. Expectation: Couples should always file their returns together. Reality: It is a choice. You can decide to file a joint return with your spouse or file separately, but some benefits come with filing jointly, and you might want to take advantage of that. Consulting: Expectation versus Reality Below are some of the general expectations and realities about consulting : 1. Expectation: To be relevant in the consulting field, you have to be in it for donkey years. Reality: This is not necessarily true. Regardless of your years of experience, you can perform excellently well as a consultant, inasmuch you have all it takes to help a client. 2. Expectation: You shouldn’t be expensive as a newbie. Reality: So far, you know your sauce; there shouldn’t be anything stopping you from billing your worth. 3. Expectation: As a consultant, you are required to work for long hours. Reality: It is not usually so. You can dictate your time, especially if you work for yourself. 4. Expectation: Anyone that is into consulting should have all the answers. Reality: No human is an encyclopedia of knowledge. Inasmuch as consultants are expected to give their best to their clients, they do not have all the answers, and that’s fine. To sum up, expectations are not facts. It is best to get accurate information about a situation, especially if it involves finances and taxes.

It’s no news that many Houstonians dread the early months of the year due to tax filing and its numerous paperwork. However, tax filing isn’t as difficult as people make it seem. You can make filing your taxes an interesting activity by changing the mindset that it is a herculean task and doing what is necessary early enough. Although the year 2021 did not seem to take it easy on Taxpayers especially those filing tax return in Houston, or better put, residents of Texas. Asides the economic effect the pandemic had on Taxpayers, the winter snowstorms experienced in Houston and other parts of Texas affected the filing of returns in these areas. Thankfully, the IRS were sensitive to this situation and extended the deadline for those filing returns in Houston and Texas generally to June 17 th . Nevertheless, as a Taxpayer resident in Houston, here are some suggestions that can always come handy for filing your tax returns: 1. Start early by resisting the urge to procrastinate. Doing this will save you a whole lot of agitations. Always remind yourself that no matter how you run from it, you will still end up doing it, so you should start early enough so as not to lose your peace. Lol 2. Gather all the tax documents that are essential for your filing. The typical ones are Form W-2 (Statement of Wages), K-1s (income and deductions from partnerships, S corporations, trusts, estates), Form 1099 (Interests, dividends, royalties, etc.), Form 1099-R (Distributions from pensions, annuities, retirement or profit-sharing plans, IRAs, insurance contracts, etc.), Form 1099-B (sales of securities), and Form 1095 (proof of health insurance). 3. Choose what works for you best between standard deductions or itemizing your deductions. Remember the standard deductions for the year 2020 is $12400 if you are a single filer and $24,800 for a couple filing jointly. However, if you feel itemizing your deductions is the best option for you, then ensure everything you need to prove your claim is ready and handy, e.g., receipts for deductions and tax credits which include education costs, childcare, medical expenses, etc. 4. Pick a suitable filing status. Depending on your status and preference, you can either file as a single, married filing jointly, or married filing separately. You can also file as a head of household if you paid more than half of the household expenses for the year; are unmarried, or have a qualifying child as a dependent. The last status option available is that of qualifying widow(er), you have the license to this status for about two years after the loss of a spouse if you do not remarry. 5. If you feel you have all it takes to file a tax return excellently, you should go ahead and do it. However, if you are not sure about yourself, it is advisable to seek the help of a Tax-Expert. 6. Lastly, do not let the excitement of delivering your return to the IRS make you set all receipts and tax forms ablaze. Create a space for them and keep them safe. They can save your skin in the near future. To sum up, tax filing isn’t a hard activity. I agree it can be complicated, but with a lot of focus on your part, it can end up being a yearly fun activity. In situation whereby you feel you need a second eye, it’s best you go for a professional Tax Preparer- an Enrolled Agent.

Wondering what bookkeeping services actually are? Check out our article to find out not only that, but how they can directly benefit your company as well. Did you know that 51% of small businesses that have been in business for 5 years or longer outsource their bookkeeping services? Most of the time, it is easier to outsource bookkeeping than it is to keep the process in-house. As businesses mature, they learn that there are plenty of benefits to outsourcing their bookkeeping tasks, such as increased confidentiality, saving money, and better law compliance. Are you thinking about using bookkeeping services for your business but aren't sure where to start? If so, keep reading to learn more about what bookkeeping services are, who they can help, and the benefits! What Are Bookkeeping Services? Bookkeeping is the process of recording all money that comes in and out of your business. To keep your business books up to date, you will need to record all transactions that your business completes. Bookkeeping is important for your business because it allows you to stick to a budget, helps you prepare to complete your taxes, and helps you stay organized. Here are some of the transactions that you will need to record in your business books: Payroll and payroll services Materials purchased Sales Bookkeeping services offer outsourced bookkeepers that can do your bookkeeping for you. This will save your business time, money, and ensure that your books are accurate at all times. Bookkeeping services are responsible for recording all transactions, using bookkeeping software, maintaining records, and creating reports. Who Needs Bookkeeping Services? Bookkeeping services are perfect for small and medium-sized businesses. They also are ideal for individual business owners or people with a complicated financial portfolio. Here are some signs that your business could use bookkeeping services: You don't have enough time Your books are behind You don't understand bookkeeping You have faced accounting fines in the past If any of those situations relate to your business, it could be a sign that outsourcing is the right move for you. What Are the Benefits of Bookkeeping Services? Now that you understand what bookkeeping is, you should also know the benefits of outsourcing your business's bookkeeping. Knowing the benefits will help you decide if you should outsource your bookkeeping or keep the job in-house. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of bookkeeping services! Detailed Financial Records One of the best things about hiring bookkeeping services is that a bookkeeper will keep detailed records of your finances. Your books should always be up to date. This is helpful if you need to create a report or pull finances with little notice. Having detailed records will make completing taxes an easier process. If your business happens to be audited by the IRS , you will have easy access to your financial details. More Prepared for Tax Season Tax season is a stressful time of year for most business owners, but it won't be as bad if you hire bookkeeping services. When you have all the details of your business's cash flow, it is easier to predict earnings for the IRS. Once you have kept detailed books for your business over time, you start to notice trends. Trends will allow you to better predict how much money your business will owe when it is time to prepare your taxes . Law Compliance There are several different laws when it comes to business finances. These laws include federal, state, and local laws. Part of a bookkeeper's job is to make sure that your business stays in compliance with the law. Hiring a bookkeeper could save you money and time because there are fines for not complying with the law. Unbiased Financial Advice Another benefit of hiring bookkeeping services is that a good bookkeeper will be able to offer your business financial advice. Because an external bookkeeper doesn't report to your company, they can give you a clear and unbiased picture of where the company stands. An internal employee that is invested in the business may portray unrealistic finances. Lower Costs Hiring bookkeeping services has the potential to save your business money. When you hire a full-time bookkeeper, you will need to pay them a salary and benefits. With bookkeeping services, you will only need to pay for the amount of time that your business actually needs. If you are a small business, you may only need a bookkeeper for 20 hours per week. Also, if your business already has an accountant, hiring a bookkeeper could save your accountant time. Because all the financial data will be neatly organized, it won't take as long for your accountant to create financial reports. Accountants are more expensive than bookkeepers. Cutting back on the time required from your accountant could save your business money. Better Relationship With Banks Did you know that having a bookkeeper can improve your relationship with banks? When companies prove that they are good at keeping track of their cash flow, banks will have more trust in the business. This could be helpful if your business needs a loan. Also, if your business wants to look for new investors, being able to show them a detailed balance sheet could encourage them to work with you. Are You Ready to Sign up for Bookkeeping Services? Bookkeeping services is the process of hiring a bookkeeper to manage all your business's transactions. Hiring a bookkeeper can save your business money, increase compliance, and provide unbiased financial advice. Are you interested in signing up for bookkeeping services? If so, visit our services page to learn more about the financial services that we offer!

Finding the right expert to help you prepare for taxes requires knowing your options. Here is what to consider when hiring a tax preparation service. Across the United States, over 1.2 million tax preparation professionals serve the American people every tax year No one wants to get on the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) wrong side by filing tax returns that aren't fully prepared. While that may be your desire, the professional you hire for that service may inadvertently end up getting you in trouble. Here is a deep dive into five fundamental things to think about when hiring a tax preparation service provider to help you avoid such a nightmare scenario. 1. Relevant Qualifications There are two groups of folks you can hire in the tax preparation world - Those with credentials and non-credentialed preparers. Who you choose will depend on your tax preparation goal. Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are trained to handle complex account and tax duties. To become a CPA, one must have at least 150 hours of college accounting classes under their belt. Furthermore, one must pass a comprehensive CPA exam. Each state has its regulations governing CPAs operating within its borders. As such, you have high visibility into their track record. An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax preparer commissioned by the IRS. While an EA doesn't need an extensive educational background like a CPA, they still have to impress the IRS to serve you. A Non-Credentialed Income Tax Preparer is a seasonal or part-time tax preparer who does not require any qualification to operate beyond a GED. The IRS doesn't regulate non-credentialed tax preparers. Before you opt for the cheapest option, remember this - Only a CPA, an EA or a non-credentialed preparer holding a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) can represent you before the IRS. Therefore, if you know you'll need to contend with the IRS for auditing or other matters, your choices are limited. Furthermore, a non-credentialed tax preparer can't help you handle tax refunds without meeting special regulations in 20 states. Anticipate the full scope of your tax needs to determine what qualifications you need from a tax preparer if they are to serve you. 2. Applicable Experience A tax preparer should ideally know the ins and out of the process. For many people looking to hire such a professional, that expertise ranks high among the benefits of working with a tax preparer. It's, therefore, a no-brainer that before you hire a preparer, you need to vet their experience. Have they ever put together axes before? If so, which taxes? That might seem like a fundamental question, but it's a vital one. All taxes aren't the same, and every client comes with a different set of tax needs. The tax preparer you plan to work with needs to be familiar with tax needs similar to yours. For example, some preparers can handle 1040-EZ forms without batting an eyelid. Others are experts in Schedules C and/or E taxes. No matter how well-rounded a tax preparer is, they can't handle all types of taxes. If they tell you they can do that, run for the hills. Pair the proper qualifications with experience to gauge if a tax preparer can serve you satisfactorily. 3. Prod the Fee Structure The tax preparer you can hire will depend significantly on the budget you have for the services. Online tax preparation services often offer a free tier for prospective clients to road test the platform. You can leverage that to have a keener understanding of how much you are willing to pay for what the platform offers. If you opt for offline service providers, you'll need to ask the professional upfront how they charge. It's advisable to get several quotes so you can shop around. Comparing preparation fees helps you gauge the market average, so you get the most value for money. A crucial bit to checking out tax preparer fees is going beyond asking them how much they charge. You need to learn how they will determine their costs. What does this look like? How much a tax preparer will charge you depends on a few variables. The factors range from how complex your tax returns situation is to whether you need extra schedules. If your tax needs include unusual line items, that will influence the total cost. As with any other professional, there are some black hat tactics to avoid. When it comes to cost matters, you want to avoid tax preparers who want to charge you a percentage of your anticipated refund. Such professionals will have a flawed incentive egging them on to inappropriate deductions and credits. And you don't want to go down that road and unwittingly set yourself up against the IRS. 4. Will They Sign Your Returns? Another seemingly straightforward yet insidious issue is there the tax professional you hire will sign your returns. Only a tax preparer with a PTIN can do that. And even then, some professionals with that documentation still won't append their signature. Others will set lower rates to attract clients who don't realize their tax preparer won't sign their return until it's too late. Before signing on the dotted line, you should ask the service provider if this is part of their service agreement. Be wary of a tax preparer who won't sign the tax returns they prepare for you. 5. The Tax Preparer Should Be Available Off-Season Tax preparation is not a one-and-done affair meaning that even after you file your documentation with the IRS, you may still need assistance. Look out for what the tax professional offers on follow-on consultation after filing. If the IRS asks for more information from you post-tax season, you need to be a tax preparer who can still be on call. Don't Settle When Hiring a Tax Preparation Service Provider Tax preparation is critical to helping you comply with the law. Since this is an essential function, you need to contact a competent tax preparation service provider. Make a concerted effort to understand what makes a reliable tax preparer in order to know what to look for when hiring one. Getting the right kind of tax preparation skills is non-negotiable for compliance. Talk to us today for exemplary tax, consulting, and accounting services that will keep you and your business in good standing with the law.

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