Kaizen CPAs BLOG

Short, informative articles to help you manage your business with confidence.

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A smiling cashier handing a payment terminal to a customer using a credit card, with a visible 'Surcharge Notice' sign on the counter in a modern retail store setting, emphasizing Illinois surcharge laws compliance in 2024.

Illinois Credit Card Surcharge Laws: What Businesses Should Know in 2024

Illinois lets businesses add surcharges to credit card transactions, but the rules are a bit tighter here than in other states. Let’s dive into what...

small business accounting tax
A side-by-side image: On the right, an upscale restaurant with soft, warm lighting. In the foreground is a formal place setting, with silverware, cloth napkins, and crystal wine glasses on a dark wood table. On the left, a fast food restaurant with bright, fluorescent lighting and plastic blue, red and yellow booths. In the foreground, a fast food burger, fries, and a fountain drink sit on a blue plastic food tray. There are pitfalls business owners should know about before they expand. For example, merging two very different types of businesses, as illustrated in the image, can present unique challenges.

8 Things Every Business Owner Should Know Before Expanding

Expanding your business is an exciting leap. It means you’re doing something right and are ready for the next big move. But as thrilling as growth...

small business operations
A couple in their mid-sixties frolics on a white sandy beach, while, in the foreground, a golden piggy bank and gold coins are situated on a piece of driftwood, representing retirement savings. The couple is carefree knowing they've saved for their later years.

Mandated Retirement Funds: What It Means for Your Business

Retirement planning plays a crucial role in both supporting your employees' financial futures and keeping your business compliant with evolving state...

payroll + hr + compliance retirement
A small business owner uses her downtime for self-development to participate in a leadership workshop.

Turn Downtime into Growth: Practical Tips for Small Business Owners

As a business owner, you're used to the hustle—juggling multiple responsibilities, solving problems, and keeping the business moving forward. But...

small business operations
A laptop on a desk with YPD's isolved employee calendar displayed. A cloud-based payroll system streamlines time-off requests, approvals, and tracking and ensures compliance with paid leave laws.

Why Paid Leave Laws Matter for Small Business Owners

Paid leave laws have become a critical aspect of employee benefits, especially for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). These laws are designed...

payroll + hr + compliance
An team member enjoys using an employee self-serve app on his mobile device from the comfort of his own living room.

Small Businesses Save Time and Money with Employee Self-Serve

In today’s fast-paced business environment, small and medium-sized businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline operations and reduce costs....

Worried and frustrated over a business failure, a small business owner holds his face in his hands as two other team members look on. Business owners can learn valuable lessons from mistakes they've made.

7 Lessons Learned from Business Failures

As a CPA, I've witnessed the highs and lows of various businesses. Some soar to incredible heights, while others face the unfortunate reality of...

small business operations
Small business owner compares isolved against QuickBooks Online and discovers why isolved is the better choice.

isolved vs QuickBooks Online: Which is Better for Your Payroll Needs?

As a business owner, payroll is undoubtedly one of the most critical aspects of your company. It’s not just about paying your employees; it’s also...

quickbooks payroll + hr + compliance technology
Why Small Businesses Should Consider a Payroll Service

Why Small Businesses Should Consider a Payroll Service

As a small to medium-sized business owner, managing payroll can seem manageable at first. After all, how hard can it be to cut a few checks every...

payroll + hr + compliance
Learn the top IRS red flags for small businesses and how to avoid them to minimize audit risks and keep your business compliant with tax laws. The image shows a desk with tax forms, a calculator, a pen, and a caution sign, symbolizing the importance of compliance and careful recordkeeping.

The Top 5 IRS Red Flags for Small Business

When it comes to running a business, one of the last things you want is to attract the attention of the IRS. Unfortunately, certain common tax...

tax
A football team used to cold, snowy conditions gains an edge in harsh weather over a team used to milder climates. Discover your business's unique competitive advantage and maintain your market edge.

Give A Competitive Advantage To Your Business

As a small or medium-sized business owner, you’re likely always looking for ways to gain an edge over your competition. Just as in sports, where...

small business operations
The Profit First system ensures profit is the priority from the start. Similar to the envelope budgeting method, where you allocate money into different envelopes for various expenses.

What is Profit First and Why Do Accountants Hate It?

Mike Michalowicz, the author of the book Profit First and founder of the Profit First Method, developed a comprehensive training and certification...

small business accounting profit first
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