Tips for meeting with the board

7 Tips for Meeting With the Board

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Meeting with your boss for the first time in a new job can be nerve-wracking. When your boss is a group of people with unique backgrounds, agendas and expectations, the meeting becomes even more complicated. As an executive, you likely feel the delicate balance between understanding how to manage a board of directors meeting while also remembering that you answer to these individuals. By preparing for your first board meeting with the following tips, you can show you have what it takes to lead your company to the next milestone.

1. Practice With a Mock Meeting

Meeting with a board is a different kind of meeting than the investor pitch — a presentation many young entrepreneurs have already mastered by the time they meet the board of directors. There’s a new set of rules to follow and a larger group of people to impress.It can be valuable to get advice from someone who has experience with board meetings as you prepare. An investor or trusted ally with experience as a board member can tell you what board members might think, ask and expect. In a mock board meeting, you’ll be able to practice presenting and fielding questions. Take advantage of feedback from your mentors during your practice session to make your meeting plans as effective as possible.

2. Send Relevant Documents in Advance

Sending information two weeks in advance gives board members a chance to digest it. Everyone will have time to read documents in-depth and make notes of any questions or comments. Your board will expect all your documents to offer well-researched solutions to problems. Remember, board meetings offer precious face time. The more time you can dedicate to debating ideas, the better. Know that board members may not be able to provide insightful comments on the spot unless they’ve had time to consider the meeting topics.

Doing your board meeting preparation two weeks in advance is a good discipline for a first-time or new executive. You’ll have to summarize and organize the information you plan to cover, which can help keep you on-task in the meeting. If your board meets once a month, you can start preparing for the next meeting immediately after each session. This can also help you stay focused on a strategic direction and won’t give you a chance to let action items from the previous meeting fall by the wayside.

3. Create an Agenda and Stick to It

A plan keeps the meeting on track and gives your entire board an overview of what you plan to discuss. It can be helpful to have a standard structure for all your board meetings, and your first meeting will set the tone. If you’re the new executive at an established company, ask your board members if they already have a format for meetings. While planning the board meeting, make sure you address essential items first and save items that could wait until the next meeting for the end. You’ll be thankful you did if the discussion runs long.By formatting the meeting the same way each time, you make it easier to prepare for each session. Board members will know what to expect every time. Assign action items if any are required, and be sure to note any expectations for the next meeting. Close the presentation by allowing each board member to give their parting thoughts.

4. Know Who You’re Meeting With

Before meeting with your executive board for the first time, do some research. Getting to know each members’ background can help you understand their perspectives. Try to figure out the issues most important to each board member so you can answer their questions insightfully. You should also make a point to introduce yourself. When you reach out to your board members, be sure to give each one the chance to ask any initial questions and add items to the agenda.If you can build a one-on-one relationship with each person, it will feel less intimidating when you meet with them as a group. Discussing individual members’ interests and concerns can also save you from facing these tough questions for the first time in front of the whole group.

5. Discuss Future Growth

One of the most critical board of directors meeting tips to keep in mind is to prepare a statement about future growth. Especially at the first board meeting for a new company, board members want to be confident in your ability to lead the company to success. Be ready to discuss the demand for your products or services using specific research, reports and relevant news articles. Lay out your vision for prosperity and your plan for how you expect to get there.

6. Be Confident

Projecting confidence is essential as your board is developing first impressions. Those who display high levels of confidence are rated more favorably by their managers in overall business leadership effectiveness. Managers consistently say that confident leaders are more likely to challenge the norms, be a champion for projects and make strategic changes.

Here are a few ways you can demonstrate confidence in the board room:

  • Know your facts: Whether you’re laying out a strategic plan or discussing your revenue streams, you need to back up what you say. You should know metrics, such as profit margins, and be able to explain them in-depth. If you say there is increased demand for a product in a particular area, you should be able to point to the research that proves it. When you don’t know something, be honest and take the initiative to look into it.
  • Take a leadership approach: One mistake many new executives make is using their board as an advisory council. Board members want to see you have the confidence and leadership experience to solve problems. Board meetings are a forum to present solutions, not to ask hard-to-answer questions. During your first few months, seek outside advice for challenges. As you progress at the company and get to know your board members, you can start to seek council from them. Still, try to ask these questions outside of the board room.
  • Be prepared for resistance: Not every idea you present will be met with instant approval. You’ll likely face some healthy debates, especially for plans you haven’t already discussed with your board members. You should always speak to your board members individually about new ideas to get their takes on them. Then, you can adjust your strategy accordingly and gather helpful supporting data before the meeting.

7. Have Accurate and Up-To-Date Financial Statements

Your financial statements are both an indicator of success and an overview of what your business is doing. Every board meeting should include some time to review these numbers. You should demonstrate that you understand these numbers and be prepared to defend your expenditures. You should send out financial records 72 hours in advance to ensure everyone has a chance to read them and prepare comments.

Financial statements, especially revenue streams and profit margins, provide an easy metric to track growth. By having up-to-date numbers at every meeting, you always know how your company is doing, and so do your board members. Be prepared to field questions and discuss how you plan to bring costs down and increase revenue.


Outsource Your Accounting to Marshall Jones

Having board-ready monthly financials to discuss is essential to coming to your board meeting prepared. That’s why an outsourced team of certified public accountants and advisors from Marshall Jones can make such a big difference for first-time CEOs and new companies. 

You get professional accounting services at a lower cost than hiring an in-house bookkeeper and an accessible accountant you can reach out to at any time. We provide accurate and up-to-date financial statements that you can discuss with your accountant before a meeting so you can understand and present all the details to your board.

Learn more about our outsourced accounting services today to see how we can assist your company.

Accounting Tips for Construction

Accounting Tips for Your Construction Company

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If you’re in the construction industry, you understand how important it is to be reliable. Your clients hold you accountable for your work. Solid construction begins with the foundation of a sound, financially stable business.  So when it comes to bookkeeping for construction companies, every detail counts.

Accounting can be a challenge for construction companies due to the large, often transient workforce and varied duration of contracts. However, proper bookkeeping and construction accounting methods can go a long way in setting your business up for success.

Why Using Proper Bookkeeping Methods for Construction Is Important

Construction companies are unique because their accounting methods must address many moving parts. Separating expenditures into specific categories — like raw materials, labor and administrative costs — can often be challenging, particularly for companies performing multiple jobs simultaneously. Since no two projects are the same, bookkeepers must ensure each project’s costs align with the initial estimates. 

Besides helping streamline the tax preparation process, proper bookkeeping is essential for ensuring each job you undertake is profitable. Analyzing your books and job costing functions allows you to adjust your estimation techniques for future projects. More importantly, accurate books enable you to focus on the duties that matter most instead of spending endless hours verifying numbers.

10 Accounting Tips for Construction Companies

There’s no standard accounting guide for construction companies. The best practices in the industry may not apply to every company because every construction company has different needs. However, it’s a good idea to keep these accounting tips in mind if you’re managing your company’s finances in-house:

1. Establish Separate Bank Accounts

Keeping all your money in a single account makes monitoring your accurate financial standing more challenging. Your bottom line can often appear misrepresented because operational costs like payroll and material expenses will need to pull money out of the account. Establishing separate accounts for categories like payroll and receivables gives you a better idea of how money moves through your business.

2. Back Up All Relevant Records

Receipts, invoices and other documents are essential when it comes to managing your company’s finances. If you keep hard copies of these records, you’ll need to organize them so that it’s easy to find the documents you’re looking for. But you should also have a backup plan in case your documents are lost or damaged. Maintaining a digital record of these files is the best way to ensure their safety.

3. Keep Daily Logs

Compared to waiting until the end of the month to address your accounting requirements, maintaining concise logs of your spending for each day can significantly help fill in the gaps. Daily records are especially helpful for monitoring expenditures outside of the norm, like travel costs and meals.

4. Record All Job Costs

Construction bookkeeping has many complexities, including keeping track of multiple jobs at the same time. Projects may differ greatly in length and size, which in turn leads to varying expenses. Your bookkeeper should maintain a record of every transaction that takes place during a given job. A breakdown of income and expenses for each project ensures that your company is making a profit.

5. Track Employee Hours Accurately

Another challenging aspect of accounting for construction companies is the large workforce. Your company’s team might include employees, contracted workers or a combination of both — and the construction workforce is often transient by nature. Your bookkeeper should diligently track the hours of everyone on your company’s payroll to ensure that you’re compliant with any applicable regulations.

6. Keep an Accurate Inventory of All Materials

It’s not uncommon to begin working on a construction project and realize that the job will require more labor or materials than originally anticipated. This is a normal part of the construction process. But if you’re constantly taking materials out of your inventory, your company can quickly go over budget. Keeping an accurate inventory of materials makes it easier to see where your resources are being used and budget accordingly.

7. Report on Projects in the Works

At any given time, your construction company might be taking on a variety of different projects. You should be reporting on completed projects as well as any project that is still in the works. This is essential because of the frequency of change orders and unexpected expenses that can occur during the course of the job.

8. Find the Best Insurance

Besides providing coverage for potential harm to your employees and equipment, insurance is necessary to protect against any damage to your clients’ properties. Establishing an optimal insurance plan early in the year allows you to improve your annual operating budget. Shopping around for the best plan also offers significant cost savings in the long term.

9. Utilize the Latest Technology

Software solutions specifically for construction companies can help you improve all aspects of your bookkeeping efforts. These programs offer features to track all the money coming in and out of your business. They save significant time compared to manually managing the numbers for each part of your operation, from job costing to payroll to accounts receivable. 

10. Select a Financial Consultant With Construction Experience

When bookkeeping for your construction company becomes too complex for you to handle internally, partnering with Marshall Jones Certified Public Accountants And Advisors can help alleviate the challenges you face. Our team can help streamline all your accounting functions, regardless of your company’s size or specialty. Understanding the intricacies of construction accounting allows us to take a customized approach to your unique needs. 

Contact Marshall Jones Outsourced Accounting Services

When you manage a construction company in Atlanta, your focus should be on the project at hand. Outsourcing accounting services can save valuable time and ensure that your business is in a position for growth and financial success.

Let Marshall Jones handle the accounting side of your business. Contact us today to start working with one of our Certified Public Accountants and Advisors.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Overhauled… Again!

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On June 3, Congress passed another Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) forgiveness Act that gives much-needed relief to many small businesses that were not able to take complete advantage of the relief intent of the original bill.

The new PPP bill does the following:

  1. Extends the period from 8 to 24 weeks during which the borrower must spend the loan proceeds.
  2. Reduces the percentage of the funds spent on payroll from 75 % to 60 %. It should be noted however that if the payroll costs go below 60%, the entire loan will be ineligible. Previously a partial reduction of the forgiveness was permitted.
  3. The “covered period” is the earlier of the 24 weeks or December 31, 2020.
  4. The “safe harbor” regulations passed recently allowed borrowers to rehire employees up to June 30, 2020. This was intended to help borrowers who received PPP funds but were unable to open their business during the 8-week period. The new bill extends the re-hiring period to December 31, 2020.
  5. If a borrower was unable to rehire employees in good faith from February 15, 2020 to December 31, 2020, the requirements for documenting these efforts have been relaxed.
  6. To the extent a PPP loan cannot be forgiven, the loan term for payback has been extended from 2 years to 5 years.
  7. The new law permits a borrower to BOTH receive PPP funds AND take advantage of the Deferred Payroll Taxes program.
  8. The Employer Payroll Tax Deferral provision of the CARES ACT allowed businesses to defer paying some payroll taxes (FICA and Medicare) up to an employee’s first $5,000 of wages paid due in 2020, by paying half of the deferred amount until December 2021, and the other half until December 31, 2020. BUT, if an employer took advantage of this provision, under the original legislation the employer could not receive a PPP loan. This prohibition has now been removed.

As you can see, the PPP program is in a constant state of flux.

While we do not expect to see any further legislation, there will be a significant amount of regulations and interpretations over the next several months as PPP borrowers begin the process of applying for PPP loan forgiveness. As always, Marshall Jones is ready to help you in any way we can. Contact us using our online form or by calling (404) 231-2001

What Is Working Capital?

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In simple terms, your company’s working capital is the money you have available for day-to-day operations. Your working capital factors in accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash, inventory and other short-term accounts to measure the liquidity and overall health of your business.

In accounting, working capital is one of the basic indicators of the financial state and operational efficiency of your company. Whether you outsource your financial services or handle accounting in-house, it’s a good idea to understand the importance of working capital and how to calculate it at any given time.

How Is Working Capital Calculated?

If you’re unsure of how to calculate the working capital of your organization, you are not alone. Fortunately, there is a simple working capital formula. To find it, all you need to do is subtract your company’s current liabilities from your current assets.

Here’s a further breakdown to make things even clearer. At a given time, your company’s liabilities might include:

  • Accrued expenses
  • Long-term debt
  • Accounts payable
  • Notes payable

On the other hand, your current assets may be:

  • Marketable securities
  • Inventory
  • Cash
  • Accounts receivable 

The difference between these totals is equal to your working capital. If you come up with a positive number when you subtract your liabilities from your assets, your working capital is positive.

The reverse is also true. Your working capital is negative if your current liabilities are greater than your current assets.

Now you have an understanding of how your working capital can be calculated. But what does it mean for your business?

Why Working Capital Is Important

Your company’s working capital is an indicator of your overall financial health. If you have positive working capital, your company has the ability to pay off your short-term liabilities at any time. This also suggests that you have sufficient funds to put towards the growth of your business.

If your company has a negative working capital, the opposite is true. You would not be able to pay off your company’s current liabilities immediately if the need should arise.

Negative working capital may indicate to analysts and investors that your company is collecting receivables at a slower rate than is ideal, struggling to grow or maintain sales or becoming overleveraged. Your company may need to take on debt to grow or even to fund day-to-day operations.

While negative working capital may be a cause for concern, your company can continue to operate with negative working capital. Whereas positive working capital is an advantage for your business, negative working capital is an opportunity for improvement.

Good or bad, knowing your working capital is important when it comes to making smart financial decisions.

Contact Marshall Jones Certified Public Accountants and Advisors

Whether your working capital is positive or negative, the right team of financial advisors can help put your company in the best position for growth. For more than 30 years, businesses and individuals in Atlanta have counted on Marshall Jones for outsourced accounting, tax compliance and a variety of financial consulting services. Contact us today to learn more!

Financial Advice for Working with the Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity (IAAME)

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The Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity, or IAAME is an organization designed to accredit, approve, monitor, and provide oversight of intercountry adoption services provided by adoption service providers, in order to protect the most vulnerable among us: the orphan.

The staff of IAAME has widespread knowledge and experience in providing welfare services for children, which helps them administer standards, contracts, licenses, and monitoring domestic and international adoption services.

In 2008, standards were set by Hague Adoption Convention and the Intercountry Adoption Act, and IAAME has been the accrediting agency since 2017. As an accrediting entity, its responsibilities, as set forth by 22 CFR 96 Part F, include:

  • Determining agencies eligibility for accreditation
  • Determining persons eligibility for approval
  • Monitoring and oversight of accredited/approved agencies/persons compliance with applicable requirements
  • Investigating and responding to complaints about accredited agencies and approved persons (including their use of supervised providers)
  • Taking adverse action against an accredited agency or approved person, and/or referring an accredited agency or approved person for possible action by the Secretary
  • Determining if an accredited agency or approved person is eligible for renewal of their accreditation/approval
  • Collecting data from accredited/approved agencies/persons, maintaining records, and reporting information to the Secretary, State courts, and other entities
  • Assisting the Secretary in taking appropriate action to help an agency/person in transferring its intercountry adoption cases and adoption records

One item from this list includes the approval of persons. Mainly, this is referring to attorneys that are involved. Attorneys need to look closely at their practices to determine whether they are providing adoption services as defined in the regulations in addition to legal services. If an attorney is providing adoption services s/he must be accredited, approved, or act under the supervision of an accredited or approved adoption service provider. Agencies and/or persons who provide intercountry adoption services without being accredited or approved may face criminal and/or civil penalties such as those outlined in section 404 of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000.

Part of this accreditation are requirements for financial data including:

  • Budgeting
  • Annual internal review
  • An independent audit every 4 years
  • Tax returns
  • Control documentation
  • Cash Reserve documentation
  • Risk assessment documentation
  • Compensation policies
  • Insurance documentation

There are many other requirements set forth in the application and renewal process. 

We know that it can feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders by giving your time and energy to helping an orphan child. Do not let the financial requirements add to that stress as well. At Marshall Jones we can help relieve those worries by helping you appropriately prepare for the financial requirements. Contact Marshall Jones by calling (404) 231-2001 or reach out to us online.

New Clarity Around Preparing for PPP Loan Forgiveness

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On May 15th, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a press release that the Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) Loan Forgiveness Application along with detailed instructions and clarifications around the loan forgiveness process.

Read about the updated loan forgiveness program created by the Act passed by Congress on June 3, 2020.

Here is a summary of the highlights and changes brought by the press release and the official forgiveness application.

Alternate 8-Week Covered Period

There is now an alternative covered period in which to disburse funds from the PPP for companies with payroll frequencies of biweekly or longer.  These companies may begin their covered period beginning the first pay period after receiving the PPP loan funds.  This simplifies the determination of the amount of payroll costs incurred against the loan by creating a clean cut-off.

The SBA provides the example that if a borrower “received its PPP loan proceeds on Monday, April 20, and the first day of its first pay period following its PPP loan disbursement is Sunday, April 26, the first day of the Alternative Payroll Covered Period is April 26 and the last day of the Alternative Payroll Covered Period is Saturday, June 20.”

We recommend using the Alternate 8-Week Covered Period, if possible, for your business.

Flexibility in Basis of Accounting for Forgiveness

Previous interpretations of the CARES Act allowed only for expenses that were incurred AND paid to be considered in the calculation of loan forgiveness.  This criterion has been loosened and allows companies to consider costs that are incurred OR paid (for payroll and other costs), as long as incurred expenses are paid by the next normal payroll or billing date.

The Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Calculation has been Defined

The new guidance instructs borrowers to calculate FTEs by entering the average number of hours paid per week per employee, divide by 40, and round the total to the nearest tenth. The maximum for each employee is capped at 1.0.  This is contrary to previous interpretations of the CARES Act which assumed a 30-hour work week as contemplated by the Affordable Care Act.  This is an important calculation as any reduction of FTEs during the eight-week covered period that is below the lower of the average weekly FTEs during the period of EITHER February 15, 2019 through June 30, 2019 OR January 1, 2020 through February 29, 2020, results in a reduction of loan forgiveness.  A safe harbor exception to this rule applies as long as you restore your FTEs before June 30, 2020.

Further exceptions to this FTE rule have been added which allow that for a) any positions for which the borrower made a good-faith written offer to rehire an employee during the covered period which was rejected by the employee; and b) any employees who were fired for cause, voluntarily resigned, or voluntarily requested and received a reduction of their hours during the covered period, no reduction of forgiveness will apply.

Allowable Wage Reductions

Wage reductions are allowable under the PPP and will not impact forgiveness unless wages (calculated on a per employee basis) are reduced below 25%.  The calculation compares the average ANNUALIZED salary or hourly wage by employee during the eight-week covered period and compares it to the average ANNUALIZED salary or hourly wage during the period from January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020. If the average during the eight-week period is less than 75% of the average during the previous quarter, a reduction of the forgivable amount of the loan applies, ONLY if the wages are not increased to less than a 25% reduction by June 30, 2020 (safe harbor rule).

How Marshall Jones Can Help

We have had many requests to help businesses and nonprofits navigate the complexities and hurdles of the PPP Loan.  The AICPA has empowered firms like us with special guidance, tools, and calculators to help make sure we can be effective at providing the guidance and assurance you need.  If you have concerns about your PPP loan and the forgiveness calculation, please do not hesitate to reach out to us!

PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Here

Accounting and Financial Reporting for an Advertising Agency

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The marketing and advertising industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world. But with this growth comes a new set of challenges ⁠— especially when it comes to financial reporting.

Accounting for ad agencies doesn’t have to be complicated. You can simplify your advertising agency’s financial management and accounting with the strategic use of financial reports.

Types of Financial Statements for Marketing Companies

There are four key financial reports that advertising and marketing agencies need to be aware of:

Profit Analysis Report

As the name suggests, this report provides insights as to how profitable your advertising agency truly is. A profit analysis report offers a comparison of estimated costs and actual costs, along with billable amounts and actual invoices. The report can be as specific as you want it to be with the addition of filters to show the names of clients, a range of dates spent working on projects and more.

Staff Utilization Report

Keep track of available staff hours, hours already worked and billable hours organized by each staff member and role at your agency with a staff utilization report. This report lays out the details of staff hours within a given date range, billable or otherwise.

Efficiency Report

An efficiency report is essential when it comes to understanding the efficiency of your marketing company’s active staff members. This report includes the number of jobs worked on by each staff member, along with a breakdown of their billable and non-billable hours worked in a given time. You can also weigh the value of the payroll cost of an individual against their billable hours.

WIP, or Work in Progress Report

A work in progress report also offers valuable insights about the day to day operations of your agency. A WIP report will include job-level details along with financial data, such as a breakdown of which values are actual or estimated and which are invoiced or un-billed.

Accounting Tips for Your Advertising Agency

If you want your advertising agency to continue to grow in the coming years, proper accounting is essential. Keeping your financial reports up-to-date is one tip. Here are a few more:

  1. Keep track of all of your cash flow and expenses. That includes receipts, contracts, deposit slips and more.
  2. Set time aside for upkeep. If you’re handling any aspects of your accounting in-house, you need to schedule a designated time to do so on a weekly or monthly basis.

Accounting can be complex, especially as your business grows and you have more staff members and clients to keep track of. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong by outsourcing accounting and financial management to an experienced firm.

Are You in Need of Accounting Services? Marshall Jones Can Help!

Our team of Certified Public Accountants and Advisors has been serving businesses and individuals in Atlanta for over three decades. Let us handle the financial aspect of your business so you can focus your attention on creative advertising! Contact us today for expert assistance in managing your advertising agency.

Business Partner or Shareholder Buyouts: What You Need to Know

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As your business grows and develops, you may be asking yourself — what are the steps involved with selling my share of the business to my partner? Or maybe you’re looking for advice for buying out a business partner.

When it comes to buying out a partner in a business, there is a right and wrong way to go about it. If you can part amicably, the process will be much easier. So what do you need to know before you proceed with a company buyout?  

What to Know Before Buying Out a Business Partner

Your business partnership may be ending for several good reasons. Maybe your partner is retiring or moving away or has been presented with an opportunity they can’t pass up. Even if the split is amicable, buying out a business partner can still be an overwhelming, stressful experience. Here’s what you need to know before buying out a business partner:

Start the Conversation About the Buyout With a Positive Tone

When you’re ready to start the conversation about the buyout, use a positive tone — this is particularly important if you and your partner aren’t parting on the best terms. You may not want to open the conversation with legal jargon that’s difficult to understand, as this is likely a person you’ve built a close working relationship with over the years. 

Instead, aim for a friendly, easy-going conversation, so you can avoid angering your partner or making them defensive. During this conversation, there’s no need to bring up disagreements from the past or place blame. The focus of this discussion should be following a path that works well for both of you. 

Consider All Your Financing Options

Buying out a business partner may come with a sizable cost, and you may not be able to cover this upfront expense out of pocket. When it comes to partner buyout financing, you may want to consider self-financing. If you can’t finance the buyout yourself, you may want to consider other financing possibilities, such as a business acquisition loan. 

Schedule a Business Valuation

Bring in an independent firm that can evaluate your business. This objective opinion on the value of your business will give you and your partner a starting point for negotiating a fair buyout and ensuring this buyout will be a positive investment.   

Steps to Buying Out a Business Partner

The process of buying out a partner or shareholder doesn’t have to be mysterious or overwhelming. To buy out a business partner, you should follow these steps:

1. Determine the Value of Your Partner’s Equity Stake

What is the value of your partner’s equity position? This is the first step to calculating what the financial challenge will be. After your business is valued by a professional, you’ll be able to assign a value to your departing partner’s equity stake. 

2. Decide What the Appropriate Financing Should Be for the Buyout

The financing you select will likely be based on how much the buyout will cost, the amount of debt your company already has, your industry, your location, your cash flow and your equity. If you’re unsure what may be the best financing option, you can reach out to an experienced financial professional for help. 

3. Assess What the Transactional Approach Should Be

Determine what the transactional approach should be for financing by visiting your tax professionals and legal professionals. The form of your organization, such as whether you are a partnership or a corporation, may affect the transactional approach that is right for your company. 

4. Initiate the Financing Transactions

After you’ve determined what the transactional and legal strategies should be, you can put the process of buying out your partner in motion. If your primary bank doesn’t seem like the best option, you may want to consult with a certified public accountant or advisor from Marshall Jones, who can help you pinpoint the most favorable financing option.  

Tips for Structuring and Financing a Partner or Shareholder Buyout

Are you unsure how to structure and finance a partner or shareholder buyout? The following tips can help you during this process:

1. Select the Best Method for Financing the Buyout

You can choose between debt financing and equity financing. Debt financing tends to be more common through buyouts over time, lump-sum payments or earn-outs. 

2. Agree on Your Company’s Valuation

During a business partner buyout, a common method for valuing a business is both partners developing a valuation on their own and taking the average of both of these values. If there is too large a discrepancy between the two values or if other reasons interfere with your ability to reach an agreement, you can bring in a third party who can independently value your company.

3. Formalize the Deal’s Structure

You should also formalize the structure of your deal. To do so, you can bring in a legal professional who is experienced in acquisitions and mergers. The legal requirements vary by state, and a lawyer will be knowledgeable about what the laws are in your state.  

What You Should Consider When Buying Out a Business Partner

There are tax implications of buying out a business partner, along with other considerations. Consider the following when buying out a business partner:

Your Company’s Future

How will you be able to keep your company operational after your partner is no longer present? Is your partner very hands-on with the business? Will you need to increase your number of hours in the office or find another partner or hire new employees? Will your partner’s absence have a direct impact on your business’s sales? Or will your partner’s absence give you a chance to grow your company in another direction? 

Assessing what lies in the future for your company is an important consideration when buying out a business partner. 

Your Previous Agreements

When your business was originally formed, you may have included a buy-sell agreement. With this agreement, you can follow the protocols that were set. When buying out a business partner, remember to consider your previous agreements.

Tips for Buying Out a Business Partner to Make the Process Easier

To make the process of buying out a business partner easier, you can outsource your accounting and consult with business experts at Marshall Jones. Even during an amicable buyout and with a detailed partnership agreement, it will be in both your and your partner’s best interest to work with experienced professionals who can help you negotiate the buyout.

Get Assistance With Buying Out Your Business Partner or Shareholder

Are you looking for advice on buying out a business partner? Our Marshall Jones Certified Public Accountants And Advisors have the financial expertise to guide you through your business partner or shareholder buyout. Contact us today to get started. 

startup businesses

Tax Strategies for Startup Businesses

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There are a lot of advantages to being your own boss. But when it comes to tax strategies and financing, many owners of startup businesses find themselves at a loss.

If you want to set your small business up for success, follow these simple tips.

How to Finance a Startup Business

Financing your business is one of the biggest hurdles you’ll face in getting your startup off the ground. Here are a few methods for financing your startup:

  • Crowdfunding
  • Applying for a bank loan
  • Attracting angel investors
  • Using a credit card
  • Tapping into your 401(k)

You should think carefully about the risks you are willing to take on to finance your startup, especially if you choose to borrow money.

However you finance your business, the most important thing you need to do is make the money count. Smart money management can make or break a small business.

Financial Tips for Small Businesses

There’s a learning curve for small business money management. Here are three helpful financial tips to get you started:

1. Only Pay for the Insurance You Need

Overpaying for insurance is a common misstep for startups. Assess your risks and only invest in the insurance you absolutely need. If you’re working from home, for example, your risks are limited and can probably be covered by your existing homeowner’s insurance.

2. Always Use Contracts

Show your clients that you’re a legitimate business by setting up contracts. This is the best way to ensure that you always get paid for the work you do.

3. Build a Network You Can Rely On

Part of being a smart spender is knowing when you need to hire outside assistance versus when you can rely on other businesses in your network. When it comes to finances and bookkeeping, you can’t go wrong with hiring an accounting firm.

But you might be able to tap into your network for certain services, such as graphic design. Consider trading services with other startups and small businesses rather than paying fees elsewhere.

Tax Advice for Small and Startup Businesses

The taxes you pay on your earnings depend entirely on the structure of your small business. If you operate your business as a sole proprietorship, you don’t necessarily need to make quarterly tax payments right away. Corporate entities, on the other hand, need to file taxes as they earn income.

Here’s another piece of advice: set aside self-employment taxes as you earn. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises when it’s time to pay during tax season.

Contact Marshall Jones for Accounting Services

If you’re managing a small business, you know that it’s important to strategize when it comes to your budget. Outsourcing accounting services to an experienced firm is a cost-effective alternative to hiring an in-house accountant — and it allows you to focus on the project at hand.

This tax season, look no further than Marshall Jones for reliable accounting services in Atlanta, Georgia. Contact us today to learn more about how our Certified Public Accountants and Advisors can help your startup business grow!

COVID-19 UPDATES FROM MARSHALL JONES

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In these uncertain times, we want to offer you the assurance that Marshall Jones is working at maximum capacity to service all of your audit, tax and bookkeeping needs, and is actively monitoring legislation at the Federal and State level that could impact you and your businesses.

We urge you to continue to consult with us prior to taking action based on news reports which are sometimes incomplete.  This blog will be updated with only the most impactful and official news and legislation, relevant to you.

While there have been many reports and rumors on tax relief, stimulus packages, and the like, only one major piece of legislation has been signed so far, though more are expected in the coming weeks.  Below is a synopsis of the major provisions in this legislation, with a simple description of how they may affect you and your business.

I. Congress – CARES Act

On March 27, 2020, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” or the “CARES Act” was
signed into law, in part to provide a variety of funding streams for economic relief and stimulus to those
economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have highlighted some of the more relevant and
impactful parts of this new law below.

Title I – Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act

Paycheck Protection Program

  • Paycheck Protection Loans, guaranteed by the SBA, available to businesses and 501(c)(3) nonprofits with fewer than 500 employees.  This includes sole proprietorships, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals.
    •  Maximum loan will be 2.5 times the average monthly payments of the following items for the 1-year period before the date the loan is made plus total amounts due under other certain SBA loans:
      1. Salary, wage, commission, or similar compensation
      2. Payment of cash tip or equivalent
      3. Payment for vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave
      4. Allowance for dismissal or separation
      5. Payment required for the provisions of group health care benefits, including insurance premiums
      6. Payment of any retirement benefits
      7. Payment of State and local tax assessed on the compensation of employees
    •  Loan funds may be used for:
      • Payroll costs defined above
      • Other group health care benefits paid
      • Payments of interest on any mortgage obligation (excluding prepaid interest)
      • Rent
      • Utilities
      • Interest on other debt obligations
    •  Borrower Requirements
      • Good faith certification by the borrower.
    •  Deferral of Repayment
      • Lenders must defer payment of principal and interest to between 6 months and 1 year.
      • There will be no prepayment penalty.

Loan Forgiveness

Borrowers are eligible for forgiveness of loans equal to the sum of the following costs incurred and payments made from February 15, 2020 through June 30, 2020

  • Payroll costs defined above
  • Payment of interest on mortgage obligations (excluding prepaid interest)
  • Rent
  • Utilities

Forgivable amount calculated above may be reduced by the following:

  • Pro-rata reduction of full-time equivalent employees
  • Pro-rata reduction of total salary or wages
  • Rehires are taken into consideration for this calculation
  • Documentation required to apply for forgiveness include:
    • Payroll tax filings
    • state income, payroll, and unemployment insurance filings
    • Documents verifying payments on covered payments such as cancelled checks and receipts
    • Certification of proper use of funds
  • Lender has 60 days to approve forgiveness
  • Forgiven amounts will not be taxable

Learn more about the New Clarity Around Preparing for PPP Loan Forgiveness and the updated PPP Act passed by Congress on June 3, 2020.

Emergency EIDL Grants

  • From January 31, 2020, through December 31, 2020, businesses and nonprofits are eligible for another type of loan through the SBA.
    • $10,000 advanced may be received 3 days after SBA receives application.
      • Funds are to be used for providing paid sick leave to employees
      • Maintaining payroll to retain employees.
      • Meeting increased costs to obtain materials unavailable from original source.
      • Making rent or mortgage payments.
      • Repaying obligations that cannot be met due to revenue losses.
    • This advance does not have to be repaid even if the loan is denied.

If you are interested in applying for any of the available loans, please let us know.  We are happy to assist you in the application and loan forgiveness process, or help to answer other questions you may have about the available SBA loans.

Title II – Assistance for American Workers, Families, and Businesses

Rebates and Other Individual Provisions

  • Individuals unable to work due to COVID-19 for a period of up to 39 weeks from January 27, 2020, through December 31, 2020, are eligible for relief in amounts based upon State calculations.
    • Most individuals will receive an advanced tax credit refund of $1,200 ($2,400 in the case of eligible individuals filing a joint return), plus $500 for each qualifying child.
    • This credit will be phased out by 5% of the amount of adjusted gross income of your 2019 or 2018 tax return that exceeds the following:
      • $150,000 for joint filers
      • $112,500 for head of household filers
      • $75,000 for other tax payers

Other Individual Tax Provisions

  • Required Minimum Distributions from Qualified Retirement Plans are waived for 2020.
    • 10% penalty for early retirement plan withdrawal is waived for distributions up to $100,000 for qualified individuals affected by the virus.
      • Cash Charitable contributions during 2020 which are normally limited to 60% of Adjusted Gross Income are not subject to that limitation.
      • Taxpayers who do not itemize are eligible for a $300 cash charitable contribution deduction in arriving at Adjusted Gross Income.
      • Employer provided payments up to $5,250 per employee for student loan repayments are not includable in taxable income for any payments made before 1/1/2021.
      • Net Operating Loss deductions (NOL) previously limited to offsetting 80% of taxable income are allowed to fully offset taxable income in tax years beginning after 2017.
      • NOLs arising in a tax year beginning AFTER 12/31/2018 is eligible to be carried back to each of the FIVE preceding tax years.
      • The limit on Excess Business Losses has been lifted for tax years 2018, 2019 and 2020.  The Excess Business Loss limitation restricted Trade or Business Losses to Trade or Business income plus $250,000 ($500,000 if Married Filing Jointly).

Other Business Tax Provisions

  • The payment of the employer portion of payroll taxes (FICA and Medicare) can be deferred until 12/31/2021 for 50% of such taxes and 12/31/2022 for the remaining 50%.
    • The 30% limitation on the deductibility of business interest expense has been increased to 50% for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020.
      • A technical correction designates Qualified Improvement Property as 15-year property, thus qualifying for 100% Bonus First Year Depreciation deduction effective retroactively for all property placed in service after 12/31/2017.
      • Corporations with Corporate Minimum Tax Credits, can claim 100% of those AMT credits in 2019.

Please know that these tax changes are often complex and face certain restrictions.  Please consult your Marshall Jones advisors for specifics as to how these changes may affect you.

Congress Public Law 116-136

Paycheck Protection Program

Treasury – CARES Act

I. IRS – RELIEF FOR TAXPAYERS AFFECTED BY ONGOING CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 PANDEMIC: NOTICE 2020-18

Filing and Payment Relief

  • The 2019 income tax filing and payment deadlines for all taxpayers who file and pay their Federal income taxes on April 15, 2020, are automatically extended until July 15, 2020.
  • There will be no interest accruing from April 16th through July 15th and no penalties for filings or payments due April 15th that are completed by July 15th.
  • This relief applies to all individual returns, trusts, and corporations.
  • This relief is automatic, taxpayers do NOT need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify.
  • Estimated tax payments for quarter one of 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020 are also automatically extended until July 15, 2020.
  • Individual and business taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline can request a filing extension until September 15 or October 15 based on prior law.

Marshall Jones is closely monitoring all new regulations from the IRS and are prepared to help businesses navigate the impacts and ensure proper compliance. 

If you are due a refund, please send your information in as soon as it is complete so we can get your refund into your hands!

Official IRS Publication

IRS Filing and Payment Deadline FAQs

II. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE – GEORGIA CORONAVIRUS TAX RELIEF INFORMATION

  • The Georgia Department of Revenue is automatically extending the 2019 income tax filing and payment deadline to July 15, 2020
  • Vehicle registrations that expire between March 16, 2020 and May 14, 2020 are also being extended through May 15, 2020
  • Press release and FAQs on tax relief can be found at the link below

Georgia Tax Relief

AICPA GUIDE TO STATE FILING RELIEF

III. CONGRESS – CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020: PUBLIC LAW NO: 116-123

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.

On March 18, 2020, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Georgia has received an official statewide disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This declaration will provide assistance in the form of SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to impacted small businesses in all 159 counties in Georgia

GEORGIA SBA PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESS BILL 116-123

SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE

IV. CONGRESS – FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT: PUBLIC LAW NO: 116-127

Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act

  • The current employee threshold for FMLA coverage changed from only covering employers with 50 or more employees to instead covering those employers with fewer than 500 employees.
  • It also lowers the eligibility requirement such that any employee who has worked for the employer for at least 30 days prior to the designated leave may be eligible to receive paid family and medical leave. 
  • It requires qualifying employers to provide two weeks of paid sick leave to employees affected by coronavirus (for a number of hours determined by an employee’s full- or part-time status) 
  • Emergency sick leave is limited to: 
    • $511 per day/$5,110 in the aggregate for employees that are in quarantine or seeking a diagnosis for coronavirus; 
    • $200 per day/$2,000 in the aggregate to care for a quarantined family member or to provide childcare.
  • It provides employees the right to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave if the employee or a family member is in quarantine or if a child’s school or place of care is closed due to the coronavirus; 
  • It requires employers to provide no less than 2/3rd of the employee’s usual pay up to $200 per day, $10,000 in total; 
  • The 12 weeks of job-protected leave can apply AFTER employees take the provided two weeks of emergency paid sick leave. 

Small Employer Exception

  • The Department of Labor has the authority to exempt small businesses with fewer than 50 employees from compliance when “imposition of [the paid sick leave requirements] would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern.” The guidance for how to apply for exemption will be released by DOL at a later time.
  • Business closures or shutdowns are not covered reasons requiring paid sick leave.

Marshall Jones is closely monitoring all new regulations from the IRS and are prepared to help businesses navigate the impacts and ensure proper compliance. 

For now, our recommendation is to maintain detailed documentation of the time spent by employees for virus testing, medical care, school closures, and relevant information of affected family members, while also protecting the privacy of your employees. We suggest that employers develop an internal mechanism via intranet, separate email, or a time–keeping system to track the time employees are absent for reasons related to coronavirus, including a coronavirus diagnosis, recommended or required self-quarantine, care for a quarantines or ill family member, and/or care for a child who is ill or whose school or place of care is closed due to coronavirus.

Tax Credits For Paid Sick And Paid Family and Medical Leave

Paid Sick Leave Credit

  • For an employee who is unable to work because of Coronavirus quarantine or self-quarantine or has Coronavirus symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis, eligible employers (those with fewer than 500 employees) may receive a refundable sick leave credit for sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay, up to $511 per day and $5,110 in the aggregate, for a total of 10 days.
  • For an employee who is caring for someone with Coronavirus, or is caring for a child because the child’s school or child care facility is closed, or the child care provider is unavailable due to the Coronavirus, eligible employers may claim a credit for two-thirds of the employee’s regular rate of pay, up to $200 per day and $2,000 in the aggregate, for up to 10 days. Eligible employers are entitled to an additional tax credit determined based on costs to maintain health insurance coverage for the eligible employee during the leave period.

Child Care Leave Credit

  • In addition to the sick leave credit, for an employee who is unable to work because of a need to care for a child whose school or child care facility is closed or whose child care provider is unavailable due to the Coronavirus, eligible employers may receive a refundable child care leave credit. This credit is equal to two-thirds of the employee’s regular pay, capped at $200 per day or $10,000 in the aggregate. Up to 10 weeks of qualifying leave can be counted towards the child care leave credit. Eligible employers are entitled to an additional tax credit determined based on costs to maintain health insurance coverage for the eligible employee during the leave period.

The expansion of required paid sick leave is designed to be completely reimbursable to the employer through immediate tax credits to payroll taxes

Each of these tax credits has complex qualifications, guidelines and reporting requirements The expansion of required paid sick leave is designed to be completely reimbursable to the employer through immediate tax credits to payroll taxes that could change rapidly and dramatically as the coronavirus outbreak continues.  We will keep you updated as we learn more and ask that you contact us with specific questions.  

116TH CONGRESS BILL 116-127

V. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR – EMERGENCY RULES ADOPTED 03-19-20

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) has adopted an emergency Rule 300-2-4-0.5 Partial Claims, effective March 16, 2020. The rule mandates all Georgia employers to file partial claims online on behalf of their employees for any week during which an employee (full-time/part-time) works less than full-time due to a partial or total company shutdown caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Any employer found to be in violation of this rule will be required to reimburse GDOL for the full amount of unemployment insurance benefits paid to the employee.

Filing partial claims results in your employees receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefit payments faster, usually within 48 hours for claims filed electronically.

Employees for whom you file a partial claim are NOT required to report to a Georgia Department of Labor career center, register for employment services, or look for other work.

On March 19th, the following additional emergency measures were adopted,

… in the determination of the Commissioner, the account of an employer may not be charged for certain benefits paid for unemployment due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including benefits paid on partial claims filed online.

The Georgia Department of Labor has links to many help FAQs for employees and employers alike to assist with complying with the rule change.  Please follow this link to access this information.

GEORGIA DOL COVID 19 INFORMATION

GEORGIA DOL EMERGENCY RULES

Is your business in need of virtual accounting services? Contact Marshall Jones online or by phone (404) 231-2001 for more information