Accounting Tips Guides

Company owners are often confused by the tangled web of business and financial regulations. To simplify the complicated financial part of the business, many of them choose to protect themselves by contracting for outsourced accounting services. On the other hand, some companies are still trying to handle their own bookkeeping or hiring non professionals to tackle the job in an attempt to save time or money. However, not using a professional is one that can cost a business owners more time and money than they realized they were gambling.

There are several reasons why choosing professionals to handle online bookkeeping services is one of the most cost-effective investments that a company can make.

Navigating the Regulatory Maze
The legal landscape changes quickly and businesses struggle to keep abreast of the latest developments. In our increasingly litigious society, ignorance of the law is no protection from significant financial liability.

This is one of the many reasons companies chose to employ outsourced accounting services. Unless a business is primarily involved in financial services, it is difficult to keep track of the changes. By hiring an experienced professional, not only does a company get its books in order, but it also gets financials done in compliance with the law.

Recent Changes Turn the Financial World Upside Down
The past few years have seen some of the most sweeping business reforms since the Great Depression. High-profile financial disasters like Enron and Worldcom have fueled public outcry for legal protection that has put a burden on all companies, public and private. It is harder for companies to use the casual internal bookkeeping services that have served them in the past. They need dedicated, full-time specialists that are familiar with today’s proper accounting practices, not the practices of ten years ago.

Using online bookkeeping services that use highly specialized accountants relieves the company of much of the burden of following frequent regulatory changes. These firms do nothing but financial work, so they can focus on using the correct practices and that protects their client companies.

You’re in Control When Using Online Bookkeeping Services
Although hiring an outside firm to do financial work can provide protection against liability, it doesn’t absolve the company of responsibility. For that reason, some companies are hesitant about using outsourced accounting services. They fear losing one of two things: control or security. If you choose the right service provider, neither of these will be a problem.

Online bookkeeping services give you full, real-time access to all of your financial data. Nothing is done without your permission or behind your back. You get regular financial reports that allow you to keep an eye on the company’s financial health. The service is there merely to process the data; all financial decisions are still yours.

That unlimited access doesn’t mean there is no security. In fact, your data is probably more secure if handled by online bookkeeping services. Professional companies have dedicated systems have hacker defenses, virus protection, and backup capabilities that small or even mid-sized companies can’t match.

Few companies need or can afford to hire a full-time, dedicated accounting staff and yet all companies need those capabilities. Outsourced bookkeeping services give you the benefit of expert financial services at far less cost.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Online Bookkeeping
Services, visit http://www.osibusinessservices.com

You are new to the tax preparation field. You have your degree in accounting, maybe even a masters degree. You have been prepped on the most current tax laws, may even have passed a state-required certification process to prepare taxes, and are ready to open your own practice. Now the real question: What software should I use for my tax preparation?

In a competitive world, a hand-prepared return is not only passive, it is downright non-productive. Tax software increases the speed and ability to process returns while increasing accuracy at the same time.

Nevertheless, the differences are strong and numerous in the type of software that can be purchased over the counter at your local store, and the type sold at society and industry trade shows and in their respective trade journals. In addition, unbelievably, some ‘professional’ preparers start their practice with these low-end, over-the-counter software products.

Some long-standing, brand name programs are available at many supermarkets and office supply stores with a price range from $30 to $50. BE AWARE: these products are designed for simple returns, have limited, or no flexibility, and are designed for the average person who does not need hand holding. In short, they are not made for professionals who work with complex situations.

Professional packages may run the gamut of a limited use product to unlimited 1040 system use, to business and state programs, and will run from $400 to $10,000 per year. Is the high price worth it?

I recall talking to a CPA a few years ago who said her neighbor brought over the family’s tax return that they’d prepared on a store boxed product, then wondered if she might simply check it for errors before they submitted it to the IRS. The CPA ran the return scenario through her own, more professional program and proudly noted she had calculated an extra $3,000 for refund this family was planning to receive.

Why the big difference? Over-the-counter programs are progressively getting better at finding and alerting the user to available credits and benefits. However, these programs do not have the empirical wisdom of human expertise and evaluation, nor do they have the depth of utilities available in professional software. YOU, the professional, have the advantage.

You are in an industry that intimidates the average soul. In addition, this may be one area where the old adage: You get what you pay for, hits the bull’s eye. Professional programs can easily spot non-claimed credits, errors, or obstacles that simply are not programmed into the low-end, store boxed products.

Moreover, a professional program is packed with utilities to do just that ‘ assist the tax practitioner with increasingly complex computations. Most professional packages include:

* An integrated Asset Manager. Some even perform like-kind exchanges, partial dispositions, and have management tools to track basis, depreciation, and a host of related information.

* More sophisticated Audits. This more intensive audit programming can suggest alternatives to even the most confusing issues.

* Tax Practice Management. This critical program can categorize and analyze the various types of returns processed, amounts of income invoiced, help create client organizers, and track client trends and pertinent return information.

* A Scheduler program; which helps the practitioner maintain the tight schedule necessary during the short 1040 individual filing season.

* Comprehensive Libraries; which may include Zip Code directories, and customized employer directories which auto-fill to specific forms and schedules.

* The ability to key in Overrides. A viable part of the professional package; making overrides in program entry fields may be needed when alternative calculations become necessary.

* Toll-free support. Usually these free services come with the purchase of the professional program.

* Detail statements. These statements usually comprise more detailed information regarding a line item entry. Such statements may break out the total into multiple items, or can provide information that might otherwise raise an eyebrow or two at the IRS without such an explanation.

Of late, another member has been muscling into the domain of professional practitioners; online tax prep. Though these too are gaining in popularity, the issue of return access, re-access, or amending is something to consider. As with the over-the-counter programs, these online products may also be limited in the scope and complexity of returns they can handle.

One question that often comes from those not familiar with professional software however is “Why do I need an EFIN (electronic filer identification number) from the IRS to file returns electronically?” My store bought package did not require one.

Since the over-the-counter programs limit the user, input and do not allow overrides, the vendors (software manufacturers) takes responsibility and liability for the accuracy of the return. The IRS allows purchasers of store bought products to file up to five returns with this software without having an IRS assigned EFIN.

Because of the flexibility of professional software in overrides, detail statements, and overall user knowledge of the tax law allowed to manipulate the program, the IRS requires the user to apply for their own EFIN (submission of IRS form 8633).

Simply put, if you ARE a paid professional tax practitioner using an over-the-counter program, you are not only harming the accuracy of your client’s return, you may be harming your own reputation. The costs are certainly higher, but putting out the extra bucks will pay for itself in the number of clients you obtain and retain.

Molly Winters-Hughes is a marketing consultant for TaxWorks. TaxWorks offers professional tax software and solutions for accountants. For more information about TaxWorks, see http://www.taxworks.com

When a business buys a long term fixed asset it is normal to depreciate that capital asset over a number of years to smooth out the effect on net profit. Depreciation being a management decision is not allowed as a deductible taxable expense and while being deducted to arrive at the management net profit is written back in the accounts for the calculation of tax.

Capital allowances are set by the government at fixed rates at which a business can claim the expenditure on fixed assets against the taxable profit. Prior to the financial year commencing 1 April 2008 capital allowances included a first year allowance at the rate of 50 per cent of the original cost for self employed and small limited companies plus a writing down allowance in subsequent years of 25 per cent of the reducing balance. The rate of first year allowance for medium and large limited companies was 40 percent of the original capital cost.

From the 1 April 2008 for small limited companies and from the 6 April for self employed business the 50 per cent first year capital allowance is replaced by an annual investment allowance at the rate of 100 per cent of the investment subject to maximum expenditure of 50,000 pounds in the financial year and an amount pro rata to that if for a small limited company financial year straggles the 1 April 2008.

The writing down allowance is also changed from April 2008 being reduced from 25 per cent of the reduced balance to 20 per cent of the reduced balance.

The annual investment allowance applies to all assets categorised as plant and machinery which includes most fixed assets including plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings, computer equipment and commercial vehicles. As first year allowances could not be claimed on motor vehicles not classed as commercial vehicles the annual investment allowance also do not apply to motor vehicles which are now subject to a reduced writing down allowance in the first year of 20 per cent.

A self employed business operating a standard financial year of 6 April to 5 April 2008 is entitled to the full 50,000 annual investment allowance. If, as is the case of many small limited companies the financial year straggles the 1 April 2008 then prior to this date the first year allowance can be claimed and in respect of expenditure on fixed assets after the 1 April 2008 the annual investment allowance can be claimed with the maximum claim limited on a time based pro rata basis.

Where the financial year for example is 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008 the capital allowance claim in the first 3 months would be the first year allowance at 50 per cent of capital expenditure. After the 1 April 2008 the annual investment allowance of 100 per cent of the capital expenditure can be claimed subject to a maximum claim of 9/12ths of the 50,000 being 37,500 pounds.

Where capital expenditure exceeds the annual investment allowance maximum limit the additional expenditure will added to the existing unwritten down value of the assets and the reduced writing down allowance of 20 per cent may be claimed against the net taxable profit.

The annual investment allowance does not replace the 100 per cent first year allowance schemes currently applicable to various green and environmental schemes and approved research and development projects. The annual investment allowance is complimentary to these schemes.

In addition for the financial year starting April 2008 small businesses which have a written down balance for tax purposes of under 1,000 pounds will be entitled to write off the total written down value as a capital allowance.

Terry Cartwright, CEO DIY Accounting, a qualified accountant in the UK, designs Accounting Software on excel spreadsheets and Payroll Software for small to medium sized business providing a complete accounting solution and also supplies Company Formation packages for new limited liability companies