Brittany L Montrois, CPA Blog | McDonough, GA

The Benefits of Working With an Accounting Service

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:16:11 GMT

Running a business involves juggling numerous responsibilities and ensuring every aspect operates smoothly. While focusing on growth and development, managing the financial side of your business can easily become overwhelming. This is where working with an accounting service can be a game-changer. Let's explore the various benefits that come with hiring a professional accounting team to support your business endeavors.

Gaining Expertise in Financial Management

One of the primary advantages of utilizing an accounting service is its expertise in financial management. Professional accountants are equipped with the knowledge and experience to handle the complexities of business finances. They bring valuable insights that can help streamline financial processes, optimize tax strategies, and improve cash flow management. With an expert managing your financial books, you can minimize errors, avoid mistakes, and ensure compliance with financial regulations.

Receiving Strategic Guidance and Business Insights

In addition to ensuring sound financial practices, these services provide invaluable advice that extends beyond numbers. According to CPA Practice Advisor, a study highlighted that five out of six small business owners consider their accountant as someone they can turn to for business advice and a trusted advisor. Accountants often play a crucial role in strategic planning by providing insights about budgeting, investment opportunities, and market trends. By leveraging their expertise, you can make informed business decisions that align with your long-term goals.

Saving Time and Increasing Operational Efficiency

Furthermore, outsourcing accounting functions frees up your time, allowing you to concentrate on the core activities of your business. Managing accounting tasks in-house can be time-consuming and detract from essential business operations. By delegating these responsibilities to a skilled service, you can devote more time and energy to developing products, enhancing customer relationships, and driving business growth. Ultimately, this focus on core activities can lead to increased efficiency and competitiveness in the market.

Partnering with an accounting service provides a multitude of benefits that can positively impact your business. From expert financial management and insightful advice to time savings, the advantages are undeniable. Whether you're a small business owner or a bustling enterprise, investing in these services can be a strategic move that fosters sustainable growth and success. By entrusting your financial management to professionals, you equip your business with the tools it needs to thrive in today's competitive landscape. For all of your accounting needs, contact Brittany L. Montrois, CPA, PC today!

What's the Difference Between a Bookkeeper and a CPA?

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 18:43:00 GMT

When it comes to managing your business's finances, it's essential to understand the distinct roles that both bookkeepers and Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) play. Both professionals offer valuable financial services, but their responsibilities, qualifications, and roles often differ significantly. Whether you're a small business owner or an individual looking to optimize your financial situation, learning about these differences can help you decide which professional services you need.

Bookkeepers

Bookkeepers are generally responsible for maintaining the daily financial transactions of a business. They handle tasks such as recording income and expenses, managing accounts receivable and payable, and reconciling bank statements. Although they ensure that the financial records are accurate and up-to-date, bookkeepers typically do not provide financial analysis or tax advice. Their primary role is to ensure that all the financial data is properly documented.

CPAs

On the other hand, CPAs offer a broader range of financial services and possess a higher level of expertise. In addition to managing routine financial transactions, CPAs provide auditing services, financial consulting, and tax preparation. According to Fit Small Business, about 52.7% of all accountants are also CPAs, highlighting their prevalence and essential role within the accounting service field. Unlike bookkeepers, CPAs must pass a rigorous CPA exam and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their designation, ensuring they remain knowledgeable about the latest accounting standards and regulations.

Education

One key difference between these two professionals is the level of formal education and certification required for each role. While bookkeepers may have a range of educational backgrounds from associate degrees to specialized certifications, CPAs must hold a bachelor's degree in accounting or a closely related field. Additionally, the path to becoming a CPA involves fulfilling state-specific educational requirements, passing the CPA exam, and obtaining valuable work experience. These stringent requirements contribute to the elevated level of expertise and trust businesses place in CPAs and the accounting service they provide.

Both bookkeepers and CPAs serve vital roles in the financial health and management of businesses, but their duties and qualifications vary significantly. Bookkeepers focus on the meticulous recording of day-to-day financial transactions. In contrast, CPAs offer a wide range of advanced financial services, underpinned by a rigorous educational and certification process. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about which professional to engage for your specific financial needs. For our accounting service, please reach out to Brittany L. Montrois, CPA, PC.

3 Common Mistakes Made by Small Businesses Without CPAs

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 19:20:42 GMT

Unfortunately, many small businesses fail because the owners aren't financial professionals. You can have a great business idea, be a great leader, and get a wonderful business started, but if you aren't a financial professional with the skills to manage money, you might not succeed. This is why it's smart for small business owners to hire an accounting firm. Let's look at some common accounting mistakes small businesses often make without a CPA on their side.

1. Unreliable Bookkeeping

If you're not a professional CPA, you may not understand the importance of precise and accurate bookkeeping. Bookkeeping can't be an afterthought, and it can't be something that falls victim to procrastination. Bookkeeping is a full-time task, and you need the help of committed professionals to ensure you stay viable and profitable.

2. Confusing Cash Flow and Profits

This is another seemingly small detail that could have disastrous results. Profits can be calculated based on things that haven't actually happened yet. For instance, deals that will close in the near future. However, cash flow is the cold, hard reality of how much money you have access to. If you try to book profits that you don't actually have your hands on yet, it could create huge problems in the future. An accounting firm can help make sure you keep a realistic perspective on how much money your business has to work with.

3. Mixing Up Personal and Business Funds

There is sometimes the mentality that if you own the business, then all the money is yours. Although that might be legally true, if you ever want your business to succeed, you absolutely can't think this way. If you start blurring the lines between the two, it'll be much too easy to lose sight of what's what. An accounting firm can help you keep these lines clear and easy to follow. Being responsible with your company's funds is the first and biggest step to economic success.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Did you know that over one-third of small businesses pay over $5,000 per year to administer their federal taxes, according to Fit Small Business? If you need help with bookkeeping for income expense tracking, monthly end-of-year tax calculations, and much more, contact Brittany L Montrois, CPA, PC today.

Beneficial Ownership Interest for LLC's

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 15:51:42 GMT

Reporting Requirements

In regards to the new rules surrounding Beneficial Ownership Interest (BOI) Requirements with FinCen for LLC's, the deadline for this is not until 01/01/2025 for existing entities.

We will update all of our clients on needs and further information later in the year after being sure we have all the final regulations on this new possible requirement.

How Do CPA Firms Keep Up With the Latest Technologies?

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 13:51:49 GMT

In today's world, it is almost impossible to separate the financial industry from the tech industry. CPA firms absolutely must keep up with ever-evolving tech trends if they want to stay relevant in today's highly competitive market. According to Fit Small Business, 58% of financial professionals claim the pandemic really created a surge in digital bookkeeping. To stay competitive, CPA firms must always stay tech relevant. Let's look at a few ways that CPA firms can stay up to date with financial technology.

They Educate Their Teams

CPA firms simply cannot afford to leave their team on their own when it comes to tech. You want a strong united team that is on the same page, providing the same services and benefits to customers. If they have some team members that are up to date on tech and others that are not, their customers won't get the consistency of service that they deserve. It is the responsibility of CPA firms to educate and train their team in the latest trends and innovations in the industry.

They Stay a Step Ahead

If CPA firms want to keep a competitive edge, they will need to stay a step ahead of other firms in tech and services alike. This will require education and implementation. When we stay ahead of the game, our customers will always have the benefit of new technology for their financial needs.

They Embrace Automation and Efficiency

Finance is one industry in which old-school tactics are rarely what clients are looking for. Our clients and customers want their financial matters to be automated and efficient. We can provide this for them with the use of cutting-edge technology.

Staying current and relevant in the financial industry doesn't happen by accident. We follow these helpful tips to stay up-to-date and competitive with CPA firms . We believe it's important to fully understand our business environment to be able to give you the best possible service. If you're looking for professional CPA firms, be sure to give our team a call at Brittany L Montrois CPA, PC. We'll be happy to work with you and answer any questions you may have regarding our services. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you soon!

IRS Will Not Issue 1099K's for 2022 From Third Party Vendors at $600

7013023080 — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 15:23:43 GMT

Cashapp and Venmo etc. Will Not Issue 1099s at the $600 Mark IRS Announces

Great news! IRS has announced the 1099K form for $600 or less for third party providers like cashapp and venmo, will not be enforced in 2022!!! So, no one will receive them unless they received over $20,000 or had more than 200 transactions in a year.

"Therefore, in Notice 2023-10, the IRS announced that it will regard calendar year 2022 as a "transition period" for purposes of IRS enforcement and administration of the $600 de minimis exception for third-party settlement organizations and third-party network transactions as provided in the notice. This means that for returns for calendar years before 2023, a third-party settlement organization is not required to report payments in settlement of third-party network transactions with respect to a participating payee unless the gross amount of aggregate payments to be reported exceeds $20,000 and the number of such transactions with that participating payee exceeds 200.

The IRS says that for years after 2022, it will enforce the $600 de minimis reporting threshold. The AICPA, according to Ed Karl, CPA, CGMA, vice president–Tax Policy & Advocacy, continues to call on Congress to raise the $600 de minimis exception for reporting by instituting a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) using 1954 as the base period for the COLA."

Source from Journal of Accountancy: https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2022/dec/irs-delays-form-1099-k-600-reporting-threshold.html

What Is a CPA and How Can They Help Your Small Business?

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:22:48 GMT

Imagine your small business had someone who could help you make smarter decisions, save money on taxes, and even obtain loans. That person would probably be a pretty val uable part of your business. The good news is you can partner with someone who can do those things and more. A certified public accountant, also known as a CPA , is an accountant by trade but a valuable business consultant in reality. There are nearly 670,000 CPAs who are actively licensed, according to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. CPAs help their clients make smart, informed financial decisions so they can grow their businesses and increase their profits. Below are a fe w ways a CPA can help you grow your own company.

Save Money on Taxes

When you think of an accountant, the first thing you probably think of is filing a tax return. Taxes are a big part of an accountant's business. Your CPA can help you identify deductions, credits, and other strategies that can reduce your tax liability. They can also advise you on strategies throughout the year on things like payroll, purchases, investments, and much more as well as how those decisions could impact your tax bill.

Strategic Decisions

Do you know how profitable your business is? Do you know how certain decisions could affect your business's profitability? Many business owners are so busy running their businesses that they don't have time to dig into the financials. The result is that they are in the dark about the business's revenue, expenses, profits, and more. An accountant can shine a light on those metrics and help you gain a better understanding of your business so you can make smarter decisions.

Loan Approval

Financing is a critical part of growing any business. A loan or investment can allow you to hire employees, purchase materials, expand capacity, and more. Obtaining funding is easier said than done, though. A CPA can help you clean up your financials and strengthen your position so you can obtain a loan at competitive rates. They can advise you on strategies that can make you more profitable, strengthen your balance sheet, and much more.

Ready to grow your business? Contact Brittany L Montrois CPA today. We can help you better understand your financial position and make decisions that make you more profitable.

Update

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 01:26:56 GMT

Thank you for your patience

To all of my wonderful clients:

I feel the need to make a post to you guys.

Since we moved the office, the week of the tax deadline, a lot has happened. The move was not made by choice at that time of the year. As most of you know, we had to move due to property requirements. I would never have chosen to move our office during the heat of tax season.

The move proposed much more involvement than I ever imagined and I am still trying to get caught up from that alone. In addition to the move, there have been many computer issues since we relocated that even now, over 2 months later we are still trying to work through.

We had staff change during this time from my Staff Accountant moving to a larger firm. It was an amicable transition, but one I was not expecting nevertheless.

I have hired another individual this week and we are training and welcoming him to the firm.

In addition to these two major changes, my son has been unexplainably sick and I have been out of work a lot and unexpectedly. He is doing better, but we still have many doctor appointments scheduled to continue to get all the details.

In the past 7 days we have had two deaths in the immediate lives of families in our office and we are still dealing with both of these extremely unexpected passings of two amazing individuals.

I say all this, not as excuses, but to try and inform all of my beloved clients as much as I can to ask for you to continue to please have mercy and grace with myself and my firm. I am completely committed to giving you quality and timely service, but I have been facing MANY things that are out of my control at this time and they are not small by any means.

These things are things that take precedent over anything else in my life, my son, and my family. I will continue to work late hours, weekends and holidays, as I have been, to make up for the normal hours when I have had to be absent.

Please know that I am still very focused on giving you the best customer service ever, but it may be delayed more than normal.

Thank you again for all of your support and patronage. Whether you have been a client for a few months or 11 years, we appreciate each and every one of you.

4 Reasons to Hire a CPA Firm for Your Accounting Needs

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 02:43:50 GMT

Over the years, CPA firms have become vitally important for handling the accounting needs of a wide spectrum of businesses and companies. For example, they can provide accounting help to handle your financial needs and minimize serious long-term issues. It is important to understand the four major benefits of a CPA for you and your company. Doing so will improve your bottom line.

Takes the Burden Off Your Hands

If you're trying to handle your accounting and don't feel like you're good enough to do so, it is a good idea to get a CPA to help you. These professionals will work directly with you to create a meaningful accounting process. They will do what they can to minimize your potential problems, provide help with your accounting procedures, and create a method that makes sense for tracking your spending.

Provides More Accurate Accounting

Do you make mistakes with your accounting every year that affect your tax returns? If so, you're not alone. This common problem is very frustrating and requires an understanding of how to avoid them and the best way to handle your paperwork. Thankfully, CPA firms can help by providing the high-quality help needed to handle the demands of your company's financial paperwork.

Avoids Common Mistakes

Did you know that small businesses make dozens of mistakes in their accounting every year that can account for millions of lost dollars? This problem can impact your overall success and create a challenging financial situation that professionals must resolve. Thankfully, CPA companies can provide you with this help and keep you safe from the many common mistakes you may make.

Produces Trusted Accounting Help

Did you know that, according to Cpapracticeadvisor.com, five out of every six small business owners find their accountant or CPA to be a "trusted adviser" who they feel they can "turn to for a wide range of business advice"? Accountants and CPAs are often among the most trustworthy and honorable professionals. As a result, you should get the trusted accounting help you deserve at a price you can afford.

As you can see, working with CPA firms will give you the help you need to avoid financial troubles. Don't hesitate to contact a high-quality CPA company like Brittany L Montrois CPA right away to get help. We will identify your potential loopholes, minimize your risk of serious errors, and do what we can to give you the service that you want and deserve!

Advance Child Tax Credit Payments

websites@hibu.com (Hibu Websites) — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 17:46:02 GMT

Advance Child Tax Credit Payments - Letter 6419

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, Keep your Letter 6419 when you receive it in January. Everyone who received Advance Child Tax Credit Payments will receive a Letter 6419 in January. You must keep this letter and bring it in with your tax documents. Do not lose it, shred it, throw it away, etc. Please hold on to it, and bring it in with your tax documents so that we can get your return filed properly and correct! This letter will show how much you received in payments and for the number of qualifying children you received it for. It is pertinent to your return, so please hang on to it and bring it in with your documents!!!