Starting a Business

Know the Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Right.

Owning your own business is right up there with apple pie and baseball as an American pastime. In order to assure that your business succeeds beyond the initial desire and thrill of fulfilling a dream, you must take the time to develop a comprehensive plan and gain the advantage of having all pertinent information in place before you begin your venture.

We can help you avoid becoming another failed business statistic.

With our help, you will identify and avoid the common mistakes many new business owners make. We will help you build a business plan for success, as well as provide financial management services to meet your needs.

Steps to starting your business right…

  • Prepare a business plan and determine your initial capital needs.
  • Identify your current resources, as well as sources of start-up capital and your borrowing capacity.
  • Review potential business structures in terms of tax advantages and portability in case you need to relocate.
  • Plan for financial management of your business by selecting accounting software that fits your projected budget and gaining the hardware necessary to run it.
  • Understand the key components of a Cash Flow Projection and develop one to cover each month of your business for the first year, at least.
  • Learn about the best billing and collection procedures to maximize your cash flow.
  • Research and gain an understanding of employment laws so that you are prepared to comply from the start.
  • Consider a home office for maximizing tax deductions.
  • Prepare and file for all local and state licenses and permits.
  • Gain a Federal Employer Identification Number and set up payroll services and payroll tax filing systems with your first employee.
  • Identify any business insurance needs.
  • Develop a Partnership Agreement. By putting the terms of all business partnerships into writing, you will save a lot of future pain and headache, as well as the potential detriment of your business.

Don’t let this list overwhelm your desire to start a business. Our services were created with small business owners like you in mind.

Call us today to start your business the right way!

Let Us Help:

Should I invest in residential rental properties?

My perspective when answering such a question always begins with the taxation of an activity (obviously, right?). So, let’s look at a case I recently studied. A client calls me: “Hey, my neighbor in Florida let me know she’s going to sell her condo and wanted to give...

Jeffrey Smith’s Tips for Creating a Business Disaster Plan

The past year and a half has been stressful for everybody in St. Louis. And I would argue it’s been doubly so for St. Louis business owners.The thing is though, these things happen. Quite regularly. Maybe not global pandemics, but disasters in general.So, as the...

Things To Consider Before Selling Your St. Louis Business

You’ve put in the years, labored long days, sweat the bad times, and high-fived in the good as your business grew. Now, it looks like it’s time to step away into the next life stage, slay the next dragon. It’s time to sell. (You think.)Whether you’re headed to another...

Disaster Recovery Planning Your St. Louis Small Business Probably Needs

The phone rings in the middle of the night and a voice says your office is on fire. Early on a long weekend, that old pipe in the back finally bursts and no one will see the water for days. Or suddenly the Weather Channel’s saying a hurricane is barreling in your...

Using KPI’s For Your St. Louis Business

Being able to reasonably forecast upcoming problems has become an essential skill for St. Louis business owners -- but too many are flying blind, or doing "bank balance accounting". Can I help you fix this? Using KPI's For Your St. Louis Business "It is common sense...

What To Try When Your St. Louis Business’ Receivables Are Slowing Down

One of my favorite things about what I get to do around here is helping my St. Louis clients find "missing money" in their businesses. Whether it's through cost reductions, profit analysis, tax planning (LOTS of money can be saved there), or other means, what I am...

Use These Financial Reports For Business Decisions By Jeffrey Smith, CPA

How do you make financial decisions for your St. Louis business? Do you set aside time to review your actual financial reports, or are you committing "bank balance bookkeeping"? You know what I mean: checking your business bank account daily as a measurement of your...

Struggling St. Louis Businesses Should Be Careful With Price Reductions

If you're struggling in your St. Louis business, and not getting the traction you need, I have a quick thought for you today. Struggling St. Louis Businesses Should Be Careful With Price Reductions “Despite your best efforts, not everyone wants to be helped. Make a...

Measuring Key Numbers In Your St. Louis Business And Developing Accountability

During the first Super Bowl that Tom Brady won (with the Patriots), these were some of the companies who advertised (hat tip to Jon Erlichman of Bloomberg): AOL Blockbuster Radio Shack Circuit City CompUSA Sears HotJobs Yahoo VoiceStream Wireless Gateway Computers The...

5 Business Mistakes That Can Be Fatal By Jeffrey Smith, CPA

There is a difference between income and wealth. Tax returns aren't about wealth -- they're about "income", and how that is defined. Business owners and real estate investors have access to powerful tax advantages that wage earners do not ... and wage-earners probably...

Ready to come in for an appointment?

Click here to schedule a time to meet with us. We will NOT make dealing with a tax professional as painful as it’s been in the past!

Contact Us