Category: Certified Public Accountants

Building a high-performing work team can be challenging but the results are rewarding. Even with all team members in place, there are always new growth opportunities to explore and interpersonal dynamics to fine-tune. Here are some of the most common characteristics of high-performing teams. How does yours compare?

CPA in Baton Rouge LA

Leaders Put the Team Before Self

Members of effective teams do not think of themselves as above their peers. While they may have a designated or de facto leader, the voice of the collective rises above individuals. When a group’s members work in unity for the greater good, business thrives.

They Take Ownership of Their Roles

Self-reliance and accountability are among the most important hallmarks of individuals who work on effective teams. These qualities enable every member to perform optimally in their role. Their sense of cohesiveness dictates that when one person falls behind, others gladly step in to help.  

They Innovate

An effective team is not satisfied with the status quo. Its members are constantly looking for ways to improve processes and work through challenges. Each member feels empowered to contribute ideas.

They Know How to Build Trust

Cohesion built upon trust means that every member of a team works toward the same goals. They know how to work well together, and feel confident making judgement calls when problems arise.

Closely related is a sense of mutual respect. Teams that operate on this premise will work to ensure each member has what is needed to do their job well. Without that respect, it’s likely that people will be performing the bare minimum in their roles.

They Understand Their Limitations

Some of the best teams know when it’s time to ask for outside help. Whether it’s a task that your workers do not have the experience to complete, or the workload becomes excessive, they show a willingness to seek assistance or an outside perspective.  

By comparing this list of qualities to your own team’s characteristics, you gain insight to areas of strength and opportunity. Together, you can work toward achievements as a group. Our small business accounting firm aims to be an external team member you can count on when you need help with tax strategy, bookkeeping, and formulating financial growth plans. Call our office and schedule a complimentary initial consultation with our Baton Rouge LA accounting team. 

As a business owner or manager, you are accustomed to giving feedback to your employees; but are you able to take it, as well? Learning to solicit and leverage employee opinions regarding your operation and your leadership are important growth tools. Here is how to gracefully accept feedback as a business leader.   

Baton Rouge Financial Consultant

Actively Seek Opinions

When you solicit input, you give your team members license to offer valuable insight into the health of your operation. Listen carefully and you just might discover a money-saving innovation that changes your business for the better. As small business accountants, we see transformations like this frequently.

Whether feedback is delivered in an informal, water-cooler context or a formal meeting, it provides important opportunities to improve processes. Be sure to seek opinions as frequently as possible and praise helpful feedback in front of the team. 

Think Constructively

When feedback is less than positive, listen with an open heart and mind, praise honesty, and listen closely for growth opportunities. 

• Do not react without considering the other person’s intent
• Learn why the person feels the way they do 
• Ask clarifying questions to help you fully understand others’ viewpoints
• Take time to digest the information if needed 

It is never wrong to reenter a discussion later on from a different perspective. Taking whatever space and time you need will likely help you use feedback in a constructive way and enable you to better understand your leadership style. Team members will also be open to a thoughtful approach.

Make Time to Self-Reflect

A conversation with an employee or team manager is only one way to receive feedback; you can also learn about your strengths and challenges through self-reflection. Keep a journal to track successes and opportunities, and then look for patterns. Read self-help books or talk to a business consultant for insight.

Employee feedback can turn into a golden opportunity to strengthen your business and leadership style. You did not become an entrepreneur by caving to criticism from the outside; you likely used it strategically. Think of feedback from your employees the same way.

If employee feedback sparks an idea for a new service line or financial savings, our small business accounting firm is ready to show you how to turn inspiration into reality. Contact our Baton Rouge LA CPA office. 

More than just being experts who help you do your taxes, accountants can solve your business challenges in creative ways. They are trained to understand how businesses work and create solutions that others may not think of. Here are just a few of the creative ways accountants can solve problems for your business.

CPA in Baton Rouge

 Understanding Your Type of Business

Many accountants specialize in certain types of clients: small businesses, large firms or high net worth individuals, for example. A small business CPA fully understands your unique challenges and is able to use that knowledge to help you grow. Accountants who understand your field are uniquely qualified to assist you because they understand your issues in context and can examine an issue from every relevant angle. They know the business and therefore have a better grasp on will be the right solution for you. 

Big-Picture Thinking

As a business owner, you want to focus on pleasing your clients and on growing your enterprise. Hiring an accountant can save your business thousands of dollars and give you back the time you are spending on forecasting, tax preparation, and bookkeeping. The right accountant can see your business from both a 30,000-foot view and a detailed perspective. They can foresee problems and steer you away from making a bad decision. When it comes to solving a financial problem in your industry, a new perspective that considers all consequences may help you succeed. This is a major reason accountants can make a significant impact to your bottom line.

Creativity and Strategy

Difficult problems require creative solutions. Whether you are starting out and need help with a business plan or you’re entering a high-growth period, a business accountant can keep track of your cash flow. They can take an objective look at your overhead and costs and help you manage your money in a savvy manner. Combining their knowledge of your field with the ability to bring a high-level, strategic approach to your finances allows accountants to create innovative solutions that meet your long-term goals.  

Avoid IRS Audits

The likelihood of an audit is small, but every business needs to be prepared. If you already work with a good accountant, they will have the detailed records needed to satisfy the government’s questions; if not, and you face an audit, hire an accountant to save time, stress and money. A CPA will also help you avoid trouble — such as spotty record-keeping and innocent miscalculations — in the future.

Our CPA in 70808 accounting firm is here to help you navigate your business finances ethically and within regulations. If you’re facing an accounting issue that requires skillful handling, contact our team of professional accountants today and find the solution for success you’ve been seeking. 

Hiring a professional business accountant is one of the best ways to tell how well your business is doing. Of course, not all accountants are the same: many operate in niches, such as small businesses, and have earned reputations. Know what kind of accountant you need before you trust your business to a firm, and then research their reliability and track record.

CPA in Baton Rouge LA

As you explore your options, here are five qualities to look for in a business accountant. 

Credibility

Reputation means everything in the accounting field. The Internal Revenue Service recommends you search when they were first licensed and how long they have been in business. It has become vital to read online reviews and check the accountant’s background with the Better Business Bureau and your state’s board of accountancy. Consider contacting professional references for testimonials. Ask other businesses in your field or in your area. Social media can be a good way to check.

Always Informed

It may seem obvious, but your accountant should be an expert in bookkeeping and accounting specific to your industry. Make sure they know the best options for your unique business and stay on top of related financial details and information. If you are not sure how to check for this, ask for references and read online reviews.

Organized

 If you have tried to do your own accounting, you know just how difficult it can be for most business owners. Hire an accountant who knows how to organize complex finances and keep them that way. Not only will this allow you to reach your goals faster, but it will also go a long way toward keeping your business efficient and legally compliant.

Responsible

You spend a lot of time familiarizing yourself with your clients and their needs, and an accountant needs to do the same with your business. One mistake could potentially cost your business dearly and even trigger an audit by the IRS. Discuss the ways that your accountant would help you avoid mistakes and stay familiar with your finances. Even if you are savvy with finances, you may not have the time to oversee them with the same degree of scrutiny as a professional CPA.

Dedicated to Your Goals

The best small business accountants understand that customer service is paramount. Your accountant should go above and beyond to help your business become and stay successful. Our team knows this to be the case and gives each of our clients the respect and dedication they deserve. Contact our CPA in Baton Rouge office today and see how a skilled business accountant can help you reach your long-term goals.

If you are transitioning from an office to a home office, you are still getting used to a familiar yet entirely new environment. Any WFH scenario requires a new level of scrutiny into your habits and finances.

Keep track of your business expenses. If you work for a company, find out what expenses are covered versus what you need to supply on your own. Even more important, you must learn what you can and cannot write off your taxes. This is where a hiring small business accounting firm can be a valuable resource.

Manage your time wisely. Time is money. If you work for a company from home, you only help your employer and your future by staying as productive as possible. Explore productivity apps to measure how long you stay engaged on specific tasks. Other apps limit your social media time so you won’t be tempted to check Instagram while on the clock. It takes discipline, a beneficial quality that flows over into your home life, as well.  

Automate your finances. You most likely receive your salary via automatic deposit, but there are many other aspects of your financial life that you can automate. If your employer has a retirement plan, enroll; your contribution is taken out automatically. Explore the various investment apps or ask an accountant for impartial advice. Set up an automatic transfer from checking to savings accounts to build up your savings painlessly.

Continue your education. Working from home allows you time to get chores done on breaks and lunch hours. Vacuuming, laundry, and meal preparation are much easier when they are just a few steps away. However, working from home is also a great opportunity to use your breaks to learn new skills. There are many free and low-cost online classes and other resources to teach you what you need to know to get ahead: how to master a certain type of software, brush up on management skills, and hone your financial skills.

Consider adding to your insurance. You are protected at the office, but what about your office at home? For some WFH workers, taking work home with you may bring with it some additional liability. Talk with an accountant or insurance agent about whether you need additional insurance such as an umbrella plan. This additional coverage protects you in case someone is injured on your property or damages your property, and it can cover some legal fees in case you get sued.

Working from home can be a challenge for some, and a satisfying journey for others. It is an opportunity to experience a different side of work-life balance and gives you an opportunity to reassess your work habits, financial health, and future. For other tax questions and financial tips for working at home, contact our Baton Rouge accounting office today.

Are you ready to strike out on your own and start your own business? Whether you lost your job, see an opportunity or are just following a long-held dream of entrepreneurship, there is plenty to explore. Starting a business can be challenging even in the best of times, but it can be rewarding if you do it with care and attention to financial details.

Fill a niche. If you haven’t yet decided what kind of business to start, think about services that help people who are spending more time at home or helping those who have to work on location. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a few suggestions: landscaping and lawn care companies; cleaning services; delivery or errand-running; dog-walking, mobile grooming, and pet insurance; online tutoring and childcare. Many other jobs can be done remotely, such as fitness training, and counseling.

Create a long-term business plan. Create a plan for success that is as future-proof as possible. Learn how to negotiate with vendors, learn new skills, and become adaptable to change. Examine the pros and cons of loans and grants. With an alphabet soup of programs available and an ever-changing business landscape, it is a wise idea to contact a CPA with small business expertise.

Talk yourself into success. Don’t be dissuaded from starting a business because of economic outlook or what you might see on the news. Change the channel and focus on you and your plan. Seek advice from trusted peers and gain valuable financial advice from an experienced business accountant.

Budget carefully. If you are working solo, it is critical to not spend more than you are bringing in. It sounds logical enough, but it is easy to forget how quickly everyday life and business expenses add up. Decide how much you will need for work supplies in a month. Keep meticulous track of the many costs you have, such as subscriptions, rent, car payments, food, and entertainment. Separate personal from business. Don’t forget to include transportation expenses like tolls, gas, parking, and mass transit fares.

Build a nest egg. Budgeting properly will allow you to build up your reserves to help you weather uncertain times. The time-honored advice of keeping nine to 12 months of living expenses in reserve is critical today. By watching your balance sheet carefully, and tightening spending, it is possible to build a nest egg while starting a business.

A certified public accountant (CPA) can guide fledgling businesses through the murkiest of financial issues. Tax laws are always changing, and mistakes in DIY finances can cost you. By hiring an experienced Baton Rouge business CPA, you gain access to experience and acumen that will serve to make your business grow. 

As the owner of a business, you are responsible for its success, including profits. It is a big part of what makes being a business owner so fulfilling. Whether you operate solo or are part of a group of investors, all business leaders need to invest the time to make sure their businesses operate in the black. 

It is critical to keep a firm grasp on things like overhead, revenue, and marketing strategies. Here are some of the most important tips to boost business profits.  

Analyze Your Expenses 

Make this a top priority in your quest to widen profit margins. Leaders should produce a detailed list of their monthly expenses. This includes equipment, employee salaries, liability insurance, and rental costs or property taxes. Analyze this list regularly to find areas in which you could cut expenses. 

Look for anything that is not strictly necessary or items on which your business spends an excessive amount. You might be able to reduce your overhead by cutting down on specific supplies, finding savvy ways to limit your insurance payments, or even writing off more expenses to reduce your taxes. 

There are myriad routes to pulling down your overhead. They all begin with patiently poring over your expenses. If you don’t have the time, retaining a certified public accountant who specializes in your type of business is a great way to make sure this work is done accurately and effectively. 

Determine Growth Objectives 

If you don’t have specific goals in mind, you are likely to become complacent. Business will stagnate and profits will suffer. CEOs who want their companies to be profitable should map out where they want their enterprise to be in three months, six months, a year, and five years. It is important to have a clear sense of the number of clients you want to gain within each time frame and start developing strategies that get you there.

Utilize Online Marketing

Most people looking for your business will find you online. In fact, statistics show that 93 percent of Americans use internet search engines to find local businesses. That includes you. So how can you gain a foothold in these searches and put your business’s website in front of as many eyes as possible? The answer is online marketing; more specifically, search engine optimization (SEO) marketing. This type of marketing has one simple, powerful objective: get a business’s website and content to rank as high on search engines as possible. 

In today’s marketplace, where Google, Yahoo!, Amazon, and Bing dominate our searches, this is a critical step in boosting the bottom line. For expert help in these and other ways to make your enterprise as profitable as possible, contact our Financial Consultants in Baton Rouge today. We have deep expertise in helping businesses generate new levels of success.

Apple Guerin Company LLC
Phone: (255) 767-1020
Url: https://appleguerin.com/
6421 Perkins Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 1B
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

If you own a business or are in a partnership, you place a high priority on making sure your business is successful. That means being smart with money: looking for ways to grow revenue, trim overhead, maximize business deductions, and minimize your tax liability. A certified public accountant, or CPA, can help your business achieve these goals so you can focus on running your operation.

Hire a Financial Specialist

Just as you specialize in your field, a business CPA specializes in corporate finance. The best business CPAs have an insider’s grasp of your industry, including typical expenses, trends, and the best ways to lower a business’s tax burden. They also understand what new equipment or inventory is delivering the best return on investment, and how to save money every year from the depreciation of assets unique to your field.

Get a Grip on Your Firm’s Financial Health

When most people think of a CPA, they think of tax matters. The benefits of partnering with the right certified public accountant go far beyond getting an advantageous grip on your business’s taxes; they can also apply their financial acumen to your overall business model. An experienced CPA will be able to look at a business’s financial reports and determine how it can reduce its expenses and increase profits. These specialized accountants are trained to recognize oversights and areas of inefficiency specific to an industry.

Given just a few months to analyze your business finances, a CPA will be able to make insightful, actionable suggestions that make an immediate difference.

The Best Way to Track Metrics and Benchmarks

Benchmarking is the practice of comparing a business’s performance metrics with both competitors and the highest industry standards. While a business in Ohio may have no idea how their business compares with firms in California, Texas, or New York, a good CPA does. These analysts are thoroughly versed in each industry’s key performance indicators (KPIs). These include metrics like client loads, profit margins, and the percentage of active clients.

Some business leaders stay laser-focused on the needs of their customers and day-to-day operations; they may never stop to consider evaluating benchmarks and KPIs; yet these are powerful ways to frame and understand your business.

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CPAs can leverage those tools better than anyone. Our business CPA firm in Baton Rouge has deep experience in many sectors. We offer you expert guidance on benchmarks unique to your industry, as well as tax strategies, wealth building, and much more. Contact Apple Guerin today and learn more about the many ways a CPA can help your business thrive.

Apple Guerin Company LLC
Phone: (255) 767-1020
Url: https://appleguerin.com/
6421 Perkins Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 1B
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Most businesses experience trends of increasing and decreasing revenues. When new business slows and income begins to dip, many business owners react by cutting back on the item in their budget they think is most expendable: Marketing. Unfortunately, this is usually the wrong step to take.

When you cut your marketing budget, it follows that your revenue will drop, too. You are effectively slamming the door on new business. For many businesses, competition is fierce, and they cannot afford to fade into the background. For the rare few with little to no competition, they need to let people know they are out there, what they offer and anything new they are adding to their product or service line. If you want to add e-commerce into the mix, you need to reach people in your niche. 

Today’s businesses cannot survive through word-of-mouth referrals alone. Your business needs to attract new clients or customers constantly — not just in the weeks following a postcard blast or mass email. Scattershot approaches are a waste of money. You must stay visible.

In addition to attracting new customers or clients, you need to engage and maintain the loyalty of your existing clients.It is important to keep them looped into any specials you want to run, new services you offer, and the latest developments in your field. A multi-pronged social media campaign or email blast can be excellent ways to keep people informed on a timely basis.

Consistent, effective marketing helps you achieve both.

When your marketing budget increases, stronger revenue follows. Several factors influence how much your business should be allocating to marketing, including these:

• Are you a new business? You may need to invest more until you have established a client base.
• Is your business established and you want to maintain growth? Compare your current rate of new client acquisition to the number lost annually to determine how your current budget is doing.
• Is business stagnant or decreasing? Consider investing an additional 5 to 10 percent above your current marketing budget, at least until the trend reverses.
• How competitive is your local market? Higher competition requires greater investment to grow business.

You are likely familiar with marketing trends and may have done your own outreach, but is it the best use of your time. Business owners wear many hats, and the best use of their time is running day to day operations. Turn it over to an experienced team of marketers who understand your business.

For customized advice regarding your marketing budget and business growth, contact Apple Guerin Company today.

Apple Guerin Company LLC
Phone: (255) 767-1020
Url: https://appleguerin.com/
6421 Perkins Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 1B
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

When it comes to tax time, having a professional CPA on your team is important to protecting your investment, and ensuring the health and longevity of your practice. Before you consider taking tax shortcuts, stop and consider the potential consequences. Here are a few of the many reasons your business should work with a professional accountant.

Accountants understand tax code. Tax code is not only complicated; it changes frequently. Interpreting and staying up to date on the current codes is a full-time job. As a business owner, you are busy enough. You likely wear a lot of hats and don’t have the time to stay abreast of shifts in tax law. Accounting software may not help you take all the deductions that you are owed. Hiring an accountant at Apple Guerin Company is a wise investment. It can offer you with extra peace of mind every April 15.

Accountants know how to get you more deductions. Everyone wants to maximize their deductions, but only a professional financial expert can get you everything to which you are legally entitled. Don’t leave money on the table and don’t overpay the government. This is exceptionally important advice for small businesses. Partner with an experienced small business accountancy firm to offer advice, analysis and help with preparing quarterly estimates.

Accountants minimize your risk. Taxes are one area in which you do not want to cut corners. One innocent mistake can unleash an audit and cause potential trouble. If you run into such a scenario, you could wind up paying far more than you would have if you worked with a professional from the beginning. If your practice is an S Corporation, penalties bleed into your personal taxes and can have damaging repercussions on your family’s finances. Working with a CPA throughout the year offers protection.

Your accountant can ensure that you have your tax-related paperwork in order year-round. Accurate documentation ensures you will receive all allowable deductions, and it will minimize errors. Don’t jeopardize your dreams by cutting corners on one of the most important tasks of every year. Work with an experienced CPA at Apple Guerin Company and allow yourself the peace of mind to protect what you’ve built.

Choosing the right accounting firm for you is critical. You want one that puts your interests first, helps you with long-term strategy, and offers analysis and advice – and you want a partner with solid knowledge and an understanding of your sector. We are that accounting firm. Call our CPA office in Baton Rouge today and learn how Apple Guerin Company can help you.

Apple Guerin Company LLC
Phone: (255) 767-1020
Url: https://appleguerin.com/
6421 Perkins Road, Bldg. A, Ste. 1B
Baton Rouge, LA 70808