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Kaizen CPAs BLOG

Short, informative articles to help you manage your business with confidence.

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Breaking up is hard, but sometimes you have to fire your accountant.

3 min read

The 3 BIG reasons people fire their accountant

No one wants to fire their accountant. Or, maybe more accurately, it takes an awful lot to fire your accountant. Why? Well, a few reasons. It’s a...

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An accounting team and a small business should be a good fit for one another.

3 min read

Who isn't a good fit to work with Kaizen?

Some CPA firms take everyone, and we mean everyone. That’s never worked for us. We’re looking for a specific type of client. We know what you’re...

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A small business owners get some of the best advice from her accountant.

3 min read

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...

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It's important to have an accounting team that understands your business and your goals and that you feel confident that we're here to help you succeed.

5 min read

What we do together in the first 90 days

Usually, 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 to...

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The Profit First method puts profit before expenses.

3 min read

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...

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1 min read

Illinois Minimum Wage is increasing January 1

Effective January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Illinois will increase for tipped and non-tipped employees. The Illinois minimum wage will increase...

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Midwest winters often mean more auto accidents. Keeping a cool head after an accident can keep everyone safer.

1 min read

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. It’s winter driving season in the Midwest. And, while...

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Plan with your accountant throughout the year—rather than waiting until end of year—to reach your goals and avoid unwanted surprises.

5 min read

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...

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An accounting firm that takes a comprehensive approach to your business can help keep you focused and on the path to creating your dream business.

4 min read

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...

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A payroll provider ensures your people get paid accurately and on time gives you peace of mind. Properly-paid employees are happy employees.

3 min read

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...

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ERC, a tax credit that encouraged business owners to keep employees on payroll during the pandemic, has helped many businesses survive the last few years.

4 min read

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...

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Pass-through entity (PTE) taxation can help counter negative implications of the cap on itemized SALT (state and local tax) deductions.

3 min read

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...

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