Kaizen CPAs BLOG

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

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Sunlit office desk with a laptop displaying payroll software, surrounded by documents, a pen, and a branded coffee mug. A Christmas tree with glowing lights is visible in the background, evoking a productive and festive year-end atmosphere.

Year-End Payroll and Tax Tips Every Small Business Must Know

As the year winds down, there’s more than just holiday cheer and New Year’s resolutions on the horizon. For small business owners, this time of year...

payroll + hr + compliance
A confident small business owner stands with arms crossed in front of a storefront with a sign reading

Bulletproof Your Business: How to Thrive in a Recession

Economic downturns are a natural part of the business cycle, and while it's impossible to predict exactly when the next recession will occur, savvy...

small business accounting small business operations
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 for 2025

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
With secure servers and updated technology, a team member works from home on a desktop computer. She uses AI occasionally to assist with data entry projects, allowing her to spend more time on strategic thinking.

How Remote Work, AI, and Data are Shaping the Future of Business

Key Takeaways: Flexible Work Models: Remote and hybrid setups are here to stay, offering employees more flexibility but also creating the need for...

small business operations technology
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
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