Sageworks Blog

Jun12

5 Tips for business owners and CFOs Libby Bierman [email] Analyst

Jun 12, 2013 08:22

In addition to tax compliance, a business’s accountant can provide significant, additional value. To make the most of your accounting firm’s services, here are 5 recommendations for business owners, controllers and chief financial officers to take advantage of now. [More]

Apr19

Should you offer business advisory services? Jessica Ballard [email] Director of Marketing

Apr 19, 2013 17:30

Offering business advisory services to your clients will not only add value to the success of their business, it will also drive revenue to your firm and prevent you from competing on price. AICPA recently posted an infographic that shows 87 percent of business decision makers respect CPAs as valuable assets to their organizations and 52 percent rank their CPAs as their most trusted advisor. [More]

Mar13

Was your client denied business credit? 5 tips to pass along Mary Ellen Biery [email] Research Specialist

Mar 13, 2013 17:00

If one of your clients recently applied for business credit and was rejected, he or she isn't alone. A recent survey of banks and asset-based lenders found they had turned down more than a third of all businesses' applications for loans, according to Pepperdine University's 2013 Capital Markets Report.

How can you help a client whose business credit application was denied? [More]

Feb 12, 2013 15:48

In a recent post, AccountingWEB discusses how to advise your business owner clients about personal guarantees and what choices they have. A personal guarantee is almost impossible to get around when signing a commercial loan, but there are a few things your clients can do before signing. [More]

Jan03

Does “Fiscal Cliff” deal address businesses’ concerns? Mary Ellen Biery [email] Research Specialist

Jan 03, 2013 09:23

Congress has approved a temporary fix for at least part of the “Fiscal Cliff,” but with many questions remaining about future legislative action, it’s unclear whether it will be enough to address concerns of many U.S. business owners. In fact, a recent survey by Sageworks found that the uncertainty surrounding the fiscal cliff has been directly impacting the strategic decisions of many owners. [More]

Dec13

Professional skepticism in the audit process Dustin Lubertazzi [email]

Dec 13, 2012 08:36

In the Staff Audit Practice Alert Number 10, issued on December 4th, 2012, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) recognized and emphasized the need for all audit firms to apply professional skepticism. They define professional skepticism as “an attitude that includes a questioning mind and a critical assessment of audit evidence” and give insights into how an audit firm can work to maintain that perspective. [More]

Dec 12, 2012 18:09

In a recent blog featured by the AICPA, Jim Boomer, CIO of Boomer Consulting, Inc. explains how and why many accounting firms are transitioning to “Value Pricing” from other billing strategies. What does this involve? And how could it help both the firm and its clients? [More]

Sep 07, 2012 11:13

A fear that prevents some accountants from offering business advisory services is the fear that they won't have the answers on how to solve their clients' problems. Yet, by taking a page from the habits of doctors, accountants can learn that you don't need to have all the answers when you first come into a client meeting. [More]

Aug08

5 ways to make the most of your accountant Libby Bierman [email] Analyst

Aug 08, 2012 14:25

Most accountants would love to take on the role of your trusted business advisor. The problem is, though, that many business owners do not take full advantage of this professional associate, perhaps because of disinterest in the financial analysis conversation or limited available time. Sageworks recommends the following techniques to help you make the most of the time you spend with your CPA and receive more than tax returns. [More]

Jul05

5 Financial metrics every business owner should know Mary Ellen Biery [email] Research Specialist

Jul 05, 2012 14:47

Is your business successful? How do you know? If you’re like most business owners, your days are filled by efforts to make your company successful. Those tasks might be focused on making a great product, generating sales, or building customer relationships. And you might be great at those things. But how great are you at making money? And how well are you managing your resources?
While different people have various definitions of business success, there are five key financial metrics that can help you understand your business’ financial success and how you’re faring against competitors. [More]