Aimee, Author at Neely's Accounting

Harnessing Excellence in Financial Management: A CPA’s Guide to Developing and Improving Your Accounting Systems

At Neely’s Accounting, we understand the critical role an efficient accounting system plays in the success of your business. It’s the financial heartbeat, influencing decisions and strategy while ensuring precision and compliance. To help you navigate the maze of developing and improving your accounting system, we’ve compiled a step-by-step guide with an insider’s perspective.

1. Identify Your Needs: We’ve worked with a diverse range of businesses, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that no two are the same. Your accounting system should reflect the unique nature of your operations. From simple expense tracking to full-fledged financial reporting, determine what you need from your system.

2. Selecting the Right Software: The advent of accounting software has streamlined financial management. In our experience, consider scalability, ease of use, integration capabilities, and security when selecting software. We often recommend solutions like QuickBooks, Sage, and Zoho Books to our clients.

3. Customization is Key: A one-size-fits-all approach seldom works for accounting systems. Tailor your system to match your operations. Our friendly, Roanoke CPAs can assist you in customizing your system, from setting up automated invoice reminders to report generation.

4. Invest in Training: As CPAs, we know the difference comprehensive training can make. Ensure your team knows how to use your system effectively, from its basic functionality to troubleshooting.

5. Implement Regular Auditing: An essential step often overlooked is regular auditing. Internal audits ensure data accuracy and system efficiency, preventing minor issues from escalating. Neely’s offers comprehensive auditing services to provide peace of mind.

6. Updates and Upgrades: Just as tax laws and financial regulations evolve, so do accounting systems. Staying updated with the latest features and upgrades will ensure you’re utilizing the most efficient tools.

7. Consult with Professionals: A professional perspective can prove invaluable. As Roanoke’s trusted CPA firm, we can provide expert advice to ensure your system aligns with financial regulations and mitigates potential risks.

Streamline Your Accounting System with Neely’s

Developing and refining an accounting system is not a one-and-done process. It’s a journey that involves continuous learning and adaptation. By following these steps, you’ll not only create a system that caters to your current needs, but also one that’s ready to grow with you. Reach out to us today, and let’s pave the path to financial excellence together.

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Three Reasons to Love Tax Season with Neely’s

February is the month of love, but most people don’t immediately associate taxes with fuzzy feelings. In fact, the mention of tax season fills them with dread. If this sounds like you, then we have great news! When you work with Neely’s Accounting, your taxes don’t have to be daunting. We’ve been Roanoke’s go-to tax expert since 2007 because our team makes filing taxes so easy.

Let’s take the stress out of tax season. Below are three reasons to love tax season with Neely’s Accounting Services on your side.

1. Big City Tax Service with Hometown Values

Don’t struggle through tax preparation software or outsource your taxes to an impersonal big box company. Instead, work with a local tax expert who understands your needs. At Neely’s we combine modern, streamlined services with deep community knowledge to offer affordable tax solutions that work. You’ll love working with a tax expert you can trust, and you may even recognize our CPAs from the local grocery, workout class, or event!

2. Customized Tax Support

If you’ve ever had your taxes prepared by a stranger, you may have wondered if they truly understood the details of your financial situation. We understand that your tax needs are as unique as you are. Our local CPAs meet with you one-on-one to get to know you and your finances, so no detail is left behind. Plus, they’re available to answer any questions all year long so you can banish tax anxiety once and for all.

3. Maximum Tax Returns

Customized tax services do more than just give you peace of mind. They also give you the maximum return possible. We pride ourselves on getting to know you, which means we can find every deduction you’re eligible for. When you work with us, you’ll love feeling sure that you received the maximum possible tax refund (and your bank account will love it too!).

Contact Us to Get Started on Your Taxes

We’re proud to offer a full range of professional products at a fair price without sacrificing the individual attention you deserve. Our friendly, dedicated advisors are always ready to help you with personalized solutions that meet your needs.

Let us take the stress out of running your business and filing income taxes. Contact us or visit today.

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Don’t Sweat Tax Season: Here’s Every Tax Deadline You Need to Know

What comes to mind when you think about tax season? Maybe you’re one of those people who gets excited about doing taxes. On the other hand, you might feel a sense of dread or confusion when you think about filing your taxes. If you’re the latter, you’re not alone. A recent study showed that one-third of taxpayers wait until the filing deadline to do their taxes and 56% don’t even know when the deadline is!

Whether you relish taxes or feel a bit nervous, having a trustworthy expert on your side can makes all the difference between complicated and stress-free. As Roanoke’s trusted tax experts, Neely’s wants you to have all the info you need. To help, we’ve compiled all the season’s tax deadlines so you can face the 2023 tax season with confidence.

Personal Income Tax & Self-Employed Deadlines

January 31, 2023 – Due date for employers to send W-2 forms. To ensure you’re able to complete your tax return on time, the IRS requires all employers to send you a W-2 no later than January 31 following the close of the tax year. Generally, this means W-2s get sent by January 31, but you won’t necessarily receive your form by this date.
January 31, 2023 – Certain 1099 forms are sent. Various 1099 forms, and forms 1099-NEC,1099-MISC, and 1099-K are used to report payments that typically don’t come from an employer, such as if you work as an independent contractor, gig worker, or self-employed person or if you receive income such as interest, dividends, prize winnings, rents, royalties, or brokerage account transactions. If January 31 falls on a weekend or holiday, these forms are due to be sent the following business day.
April 18, 2023 – Tax day (unless extended due to local state holiday). The tax deadline typically falls on April 15 each year, but can be delayed if it falls on a weekend or holiday. Missing the tax deadline can have consequences like penalties and interest.
April 18, 2023 – Deadline to File Form 4868 and request an extension. The tax day deadline is also the last day to file Form 4868 requesting an extension to file your individual income tax return. If you won’t be ready to file your tax return by tax day, make sure you instead complete an extension request, granting you the ability to delay filing a completed return until October 16, 2023. But remember, even if you choose to file an extension, you are still required to pay any taxes you may owe by the April deadline.
April 18, 2023 – Deadline to make IRA and HSA contributions for 2022 tax year. For individual income tax return filers, this also marks the final day to make contributions to your IRA or HSA for the 2022 tax year. After this date, you generally can’t make contributions for the previous tax year.
April 18, 2023 – First quarter 2023 estimated tax payment due. Making estimated tax payments means that you need to estimate how much income you’re likely to make for the year and determine how much you will owe to the IRS for income taxes. You can use IRS Form 1040-ES to calculate how much tax liability you’ll have for the year. IRS Publication 505 contains all the rules and details you might need to know about how to calculate this amount. If you overestimated how much tax liability you’d owe for a year and are due a refund, you can choose to receive that money now or apply the overage to the following year’s quarterly tax payments.
June 15, 2023 – Second quarter 2023 estimated tax payment due. Despite the IRS referring to these payments as quarterly estimated taxes, the due dates don’t necessarily fall within “quarters” nor do they each represent three months of tax payments. They represent an equal quarterly share of your estimated income tax liability paid at uneven intervals. The first payment occurs 3 and a half months into the year. The second payment is five and a half months; the third payment is eight and a half months, and the fourth payment is due 12 and a half months after the year starts.
September 15, 2023 – Third quarter 2023 estimated tax payment due.
October 16, 2023 – Deadline to file your extended 2022 tax return. If you chose to file an extension request on your tax return, this is the due date for filing your tax return.
January 15, 2024 – Fourth quarter 2023 estimated tax payment due. This represents the final quarterly estimated tax payment due for 2023. If you choose the option to pay 100% of your previous year’s tax liability, any unpaid taxes will be due when you file your 2023 individual tax return by the April 2024 deadline.

Businesses – Partnerships (including LLCs), C Corps (Form 1120), and S Corps (Form 1120S)

January 31, 2023 – Employers send W-2s forms to employees
January 31, 2023 – Send certain 1099 forms
March 15, 2023 – Taxes are due for some business types (partnerships, multi-member LLCs, and S-Corporations). Businesses organized as partnerships, including multi-member LLCs, and S-Corporations need to file Form 1065, or 1120S by March 15, 2023, if they are a calendar year business. If your business uses a fiscal year, you need to file your tax return by the 15th day of the third month following the close of your tax year. For example, if your business uses an April 1 – March 31 tax year, your business tax return would be due June 15 instead of March 15.
April 18, 2023 – Taxes for C-Corporations are due. Businesses organized as C-Corporations need to file form 1120 by April 18, 2023, if they are a calendar year business. If your business uses a fiscal year, you need to file your tax return by the 15th day of the third month following the close of your tax year. For example, if your business uses an April 1 – March 31 tax year, your business tax return would be due June 15 instead of in April.
September 15, 2023 – Deadline for extended partnership and S-corporation returns
October 16, 2023 – Deadline for extended C-corporation returns
January 15, 2024 – Fourth quarter 2023 estimated tax payment due

Contact Neely’s Accounting Services for Expert Tax Support in Roanoke.

Since 2007, Neely’s Accounting Services has provided expert tax preparation and accounting in Roanoke, VA. We help small and service-based businesses, restaurants, nonprofits & churches, and families and individuals. We pride ourselves on delivering big-city service with hometown values. Our friendly, dedicated advisors are always ready to help you with personalized solutions that meet your needs.

Let us take the stress out of running your business and filing income taxes. Contact us or visit today.

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How to Identify and Protect Your Company from Occupational Fraud

Hiring a new employee takes a lot of thought and effort, and for good reason. Your new employee may have access to sensitive company information or finances so it’s essential to quickly establish trust. In most cases, that trust results in a positive, productive working relationship. However, sometimes the worst can happen, and your business becomes a victim of occupational fraud.

Although it is unlikely, preparedness is one of the best ways to identify and prevent someone stealing from your company. Having solid accounting services can help protect you if you become the victim of occupational fraud.

What is Occupational Fraud?

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) defines occupational fraud as “the use of a person’s occupation for self-enrichment through deliberate misappropriation and misuse of the employing organization’s asset and resources.” In other words, if an employee steals from their company, they are committing occupational fraud. While this can happen in a variety of ways, there are three common types of fraud to look out for.

Asset misappropriation is the most common form of occupational fraud, occurring in about 89% of cases. This happens when employees steal equipment or cash, or present inflated expense reports and bills to pocket the excess.
Corruption occurs when an employee uses their influence inappropriately for personal gain. It often takes the form of bribery or extortion and is most frequently undertaken by senior employees.
Financial statement fraud happens rarely but is the costliest. Perpetrators inflate revenues and minimize losses to present an image of success to gain performance raises or new investors.

Who is at Risk for Occupational Fraud?

Any business can fall prey to occupational fraud, but those without strong accounting services and regular audits are particularly at risk. While it can happen anywhere, certain conditions make it more likely that occupational fraud will occur.

Pressure either on the job or at home can contribute to an employee’s decision to commit fraud. If an employee feels pressure to perform or to make payments for a lifestyle beyond their means, it may drive them to commit fraud.
Access to sensitive information and lack of accountability creates opportunity. If your business has lax accounting, then it becomes easier for an employee to take advantage.
Frustration on the job can lead to an employee that rationalizes theft. Maybe the employee feels they deserve a raise, or they don’t agree with certain business practices and “compensate” themselves by stealing from the business.

How Can I Protect My Protect My Business from Occupational Fraud?

The best way to protect your business from occupational fraud is through a culture of accountability and reliable accounting services. Developing effective internal financial controls like accounting audits ensures you have the information you need to identify or even prevent fraud.

Proper employee management goes a long way to preventing fraud. Creating a culture of transparency and accountability as well as ensuring that your employees are satisfied isn’t easy but often leads to greater trust and productivity.
Clear boundaries and accountability are critical tools for safeguarding against fraud. Assigning clear ownership and oversight of financial tasks makes it difficult for fraud to happen and protects against event accidental missteps.
Strong accounting services and regular audits give you a clear overview of your financial situation, making it easy to spot discrepancies and issues.

Contact Neely’s Accounting to Learn More

You don’t have to go it alone when it comes to developing a fraud protection plan. Since 2007, we’ve been helping Roanoke businesses stay financially healthy and secure. Contact us today to learn more about how we can provide accounting services that make sense for your business.

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