I talk with church leaders about fundraising. The end-of-year holidays are one of the most strategic times for collecting donations. We call it the giving season. Every non-profit ministry in the country will make appeals to the members of their church for financial support. What makes these appeals successful?
It's no secret that the last quarter of any year is a busy one for those who wants to get a jump on tax planning and preparation. With holidays and shopping competing for your attention it’s easy to lose your focus on long-range financial planning. I understand completely. However, it's smart to look at ways you might minimize your tax liability.
I help many small businesses with tax planning and filing. Many new entrepreneurs have to decide between an LLC (limited liability company) and a sole proprietorship. The truth is that, although the selection of a business entity is an essential decision, there isn’t one single answer to the question of LLC vs. sole proprietor. The implications for liability and tax status are two of the issues to consider.
As a CPA I help lots of individuals with tax preparation and filing. Many of them are interested in building assets through investing. From a tax perspective, investments are a solid way to increase longterm assets. I advise my clients to work with a financial advisor. It takes time and patience to build wealth.
In my work with church audits, I sometimes have to report evidence of possible fraud – questionable charges, missing money, etc. It's a tough report to make since no one wants to accept that financial fraud takes place in a church. How can church leaders enact measures to prevent internal theft and fraud without making it seem that no one can be trusted?
When I talk with clients about financial planning I include the importance of a durable approach to retirement. My message? Whether you are starting your career or have been at it for a while, you should be taking advantage of
In my work with nonprofit organizations, I see how critical their work is for the health of a community. I am also aware that many struggle with financial challenges. Successful nonprofits tend to have leaders that know how to maximize financial resources. They use concrete strategies to do so.
In my work with church leaders, I see clearly the challenges facing church boards. Tasked with guiding and keeping the mission-driven activities on course, board members can lose touch with the day-to-day financial operations. The board's responsibility for the ongoing monitoring of the church's fiscal matters is, however, a fiduciary one. To do so, it must receive regular and accurate financial information.
As I meet with clients throughout the year, I stress the importance of tax efficient planning strategies. I explain that tax efficiency is simply an attempt to minimize tax liability when given many different financial decisions. The tax code offers many ways to reduce your tax liabilities if you know how to use it. Your income can be converted into assets with smart tax planning. The real key to building wealth lies in creating assets.
I meet with a variety of small business owners and am always impressed by the passion these entrepreneurs have for their businesses. As the tax and finance guy, I know how crucial cash flow is to the success of every enterprise. I also know that cash flow issues are among the leading causes of business failure in the United States. A solid financial management strategy is needed.