Smart Business BLOG

Made for sharp business minds—who want clarity, not clutter.

From compliance and payroll to planning for growth, we break down complex topics that shape the decisions behind how you run, invest in, and grow your business.

Smarter business starts here.

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Menu choices can increase a restaurant's profitability

The 5 Ways Menu Choices Can Increase Your Restaurant’s Profitability

In our continuing effort to offer value to restaurant owners, we thought we’d take a deeper look at one of the best ways to increase your...

Discover the difference between bookkeeping and advisory services for your small business accounting needs.

Bookkeeping vs Advisory Services

For the most part, a tax return or a financial statement will look similar no matter who prepares it. That’s not to say that bookkeeping isn’t...

modern POS system help simplify restaurant operations

How to simplify operations and increase profit for restaurants

Last week, we took a look at some ways you can increase profitability for your restaurant. We admit: it’s a lot to digest! We thought we’d take some...

Multi-restaurant owners increase profitability

Accounting for restaurants: 7 ways to increase their profit

Running a restaurant is no easy feat. Restaurant owners face a plethora of challenges that require constant innovation, flexibility, and...

restaurant accounting: getting started

Accounting for Restaurants 101: 3 Things to Know if You're Just Getting Started

Accounting for restaurants: is it different from accounting for other industries? Well, yes and no. There are certain practices that universally...

The 5 Best Business Books Every Small Business Owner Should Read: 2023

The 5 Best Business Books Every Small Business Owner Should Read: 2023

In his book The E-Myth, Michael Gerber says, “You need to work on your business, not ‘in’ your business?” The general idea is that you need systems...

Can I afford an accountant for my small business?

How can I afford to pay for an accountant or CPA firm?

Running a small business is hard work, you need a team of folks in your corner – and at the top of that list should probably be an accountant. We say...

3 mistakes small business owners make and you can avoid

The 3 Biggest Mistakes We See Small Businesses Make

Running a small business means that, as the owner, you’re wearing a ton of different hats. Things can fall through the cracks. It’s OK, that can...

AI in the workplace

How will AI replace my CPA?

2023 is the year of AI. From ChatGPT to Midjourney, it’s rapidly becoming apparent that artificial intelligence will integrate into nearly every...

What can you do when you have a bad-fit accountant?

What can you do when you have a bad-fit accountant?

Getting the best outcome at tax season is dependent on a few things, but there’s one that really sticks out: being on the same page as your...

A business owner meets with a monthly accountant, discussing strategy and financial insights in a collaborative, professional setting.

What Is It Like to Work With a Monthly Accounting Firm?

When business owners ask, “What’s it actually like to work with a monthly accounting firm?”, they’re not looking for a sales pitch. They want to know:

A business owner meets with his accountant at his garden shop. Small to mid-size businesses often find they need an accountant that helps them manage their financials and provides guidance to grow a business. Having an accountant frees a business owner to focus on other aspects of the business.

How Much Does Monthly Accounting Cost for Small Businesses?

If you're a small business owner, you've probably wondered: what does monthly accounting actually cost—and is it worth the investment? Whether you’re...