Need advice? Why an accountant might be the best advisor you aren’t using (yet)
Running a small business is hard. While some decisions might be easy, there are so many times when it feels like just a little bit of advice from...
What we do together in the first 90 days
Typically, when you have a new accountant, they employ the SALY (Same As Last Year) method. Meaning, they look at what was done in the past and try...
Why we’re a pro Profit First CPA firm
Most CPA firms don’t encourage the Profit First model, here’s why we do. Profit First is a book written by Mike Michalowicz on how to properly budget...
Illinois Minimum Wage is increasing January 1
Effective January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Illinois will increase for tipped and non-tipped employees.
5 ways to stay safe after a winter car accident
The days are short. The air is cold. And the roads are often slick with rain, snow, or ice.
Why you shouldn’t wait until ‘crisis mode’ to hire an accountant
Tell us if you’ve heard this one before. It’s February (or maybe even March), and you’re scrambling to get some poor, beleaguered accountant to get...
What does your accounting firm actually do for you every month?
Hiring an accounting firm is one of the smartest things you can do for your business. At least that’s what people say, but is it true? What do those...
It’s time to outsource your payroll, here’s why
You have a lot of faith in your accountant or accounting firm. As you well know, an in-house bookkeeper has a lot on his or her plate — adding...
What you need to know about the Employee Retention Credit in 2022
The Coronovirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act contains a business relief provision known as the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a...
How to use the pass-through entity tax in Wisconsin or Illinois
The Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 had many long-ranging implications, but perhaps none more significant than its effect on itemized deductions and how...
How to calculate overtime in a bi-weekly pay cycle for Wisconsin and Illinois
A common question we hear from our clients is how to calculate overtime in a bi-weekly cycle. That’s because overtime is calculated in Illinois and...
How to pick an insurance carrier for your small business
You have a ton of responsibility as a small business owner, but there’s one thing that often gets lost in the shuffle when you’re starting out that...