Unlocking Financial Success: How Professional Accounting Services Benefit South Jersey Lawyers

Both accounting and the legal profession require high levels of sophistication because of their complexity. In most cases, it is not possible to expect an attorney to understand accounting principles as well as an accountant does, and it is likewise not reasonable to expect an accountant to have the knowledge to represent people in court or explain complex laws and regulations. While these professions involve separate bodies of knowledge and distinct practices, accounting is important for law firms and attorneys. There are multiple reasons why law firms turn to certified public accountants (CPAs) and accounting firms to handle their accounting needs. Here is some information from TMD Accounting about the benefits lawyers derive from retaining accounting firms for their firm’s needs.

Maintain Regulatory and Ethical Compliance

Attorneys must pass the bar and ethics exams after graduating from law school before they can become licensed to practice law in New Jersey. Becoming licensed to practice law is the culmination of years of work. Attorneys must strive to comply with all of the regulatory requirements that govern the legal profession, including regulations about accounting standards and trust accounting. They also must comply with the rules of ethics for attorneys. Violating professional regulations and standards can lead to serious penalties and the potential loss of the attorney’s license through disbarment or suspension. Seeking South Jersey law firm accounting services from TMD Accounting can help to ensure your law firm maintains regulatory and ethical compliance and avoids the risk of potential disciplinary sanctions.

Understand the Firm’s Financial Health

South Jersey law firm accounting services allow principals to see exactly where their firms stand financially at any point. This can help them identify areas in which cuts should be made, unnecessary expenses, opportunities for growth, and other necessary changes to make. Having this type of information at your fingertips can help you adjust course at any time to keep your profit margins healthy and your expenses low. Your accountant can also make recommendations on how to grow and expand in a fiscally responsible way.

Accounting firms provide financial analysis, reports, and metrics to help you identify areas that need improvement, areas in which your firm is performing well, and overall trends your firm has been experiencing. This type of insight can help you make better financial decisions about the direction in which your firm should go.

Time Savings

Some solo practitioners and small law firms attempt to complete their books themselves and deal with their own accounting needs. However, even if you worked in accounting before you changed professions and pursued a career as a lawyer, trying to handle all of the accounting services on your own can take away time from focusing on your business. In most cases, attorneys do not have a solid grasp of generally accepted accounting practices (GAAP) and might be prone to making costly errors. Trying to manage your firm’s accounting on top of your other duties can be time-consuming and overwhelming. When you outsource your accounting to an experienced professional accountant, it will free up your time to devote to your cases, clients, and your business operations.

Tax Planning and Compliance

Staying on top of your taxes is critical for law firms. Attorneys might need help choosing the most appropriate legal entity structure for their firms that will provide them with the best tax savings while also shielding them from potential liability. Throughout the year, firms need to be cognizant of multiple types of taxes and filing requirements, including payroll taxes, quarterly tax filings, annual tax filings, partnership returns, and others. When your firm partners with a professional accounting firm, you can benefit from tax strategies that might save your firm significant sums when it’s time to file your tax returns and recommendations for deductions and credits that you might otherwise overlook. An accountant can also keep you apprised of changes in the tax laws when they occur so that your firm can make adjustments to maximize tax savings.

Prevent Financial Fraud

Attorneys want to avoid financial fraud at all costs. Whether inadvertent or intentional, actions like commingling of law firm and client funds and other similar issues can lead to serious penalties and potential criminal liability. Working with an accounting firm can help to keep your finances organized and in order and identify issues as they arise. Unfortunately, law firms are not insulated from internal theft, embezzlement, and similar crimes committed by employees. Regular audits and accounting can help to identify these types of problems before they balloon and allow firms to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Catching internal thefts and fraud quickly can help to prevent firms from sustaining substantial losses and protect clients from thefts of client funds.

Protect the Firm’s Reputation

Law firms that have organized accounting practices, good systems for tracking trust accounting, billable hours, and client communication are much likelier to enjoy good reputations among their clients and peers within the legal community. By contrast, if your accounting practices are disorganized, they can set your firm up for client complaints and cause serious harm to your reputation.

Talk to Us About South Jersey Law Firm Accounting Services

Whether you are a solo practitioner, a small law firm, or a mid- to large-sized law practice, you should consider allowing a professional accounting firm to handle the accounting practices for your business. When you outsource your accounting needs to TMD Accounting, we can help you understand the financial picture of your business and ensure you meet tax and other regulatory compliance standards. To learn more, call us today to schedule a consultation at 1-856-228-2205.

How Construction Business Owners Can Prepare for an IRS Audit

The construction industry has always faced extra scrutiny by the Internal Revenue Service. The industry is known for misclassifying employees, under-reported income and cash transactions. Considering that the IRS has new technology and has added staffing, the risk of audit could increase over the next few years. TMD Accounting understands that receiving a notice that you are being audited by the IRS can be stressful. As a South Jersey accountant, we know that errors can lead to penalties are fines which is why we offer these tips for preparing for the audit.

What May Trigger an Audit

Although anything may trigger an audit of your income tax returns, there are some items that are commonly viewed as red flags, according to small business accounting services. If your return includes large deductions or losses that seem substantial, it may be flagged by the IRS. Large cash deposits or payments are another factor that might encourage the IRS to take a closer look, according to a South Jersey accountant.

If your tax returns differ from those provided by clients or vendors, there may be questions or if your tax return is linked to another tax-payer account that is facing or has faced an audit. One of the biggest mistakes made in the construction industry, however, is misclassifying employees as independent contractors when they are actually employees.

Employee Misclassification

The IRS allows you to hire contractors in any business, but there are very strict rules about when someone is classified as an employee and when they are classified as a contractor. An independent contractor cannot perform services that are controlled by the employer. For example, if you tell someone what hours they must work or how a job must be done, it is likely they are an employee not a contractor. If you control the details of how services are performed, that person is an employee. Some questions to ask when determining how to classify an employee include:

  • Do you control how an employee does his or her specific job?
  • Do you control how a worker is paid?
  • Are expenses reimbursed by you or someone else?
  • Who provides the tools to do the job?
  • Is there a written contract between you and the employee?
  • Does the employee receive vacation, sick time, health insurance or other benefits from you?

Probably the biggest question to ask, according to most South Jersey accountants, is whether the work is performed as a key aspect of the business. For instance, a painter who provides services is performing a key aspect of a construction business, but if that person has a contract and you use multiple painters for your projects, they are likely not an employee. However, a painter who has no contract and who does all the painting for your construction business may be viewed as an employee by the IRS, TMD Accounting explains.

Be Proactive

Of course, one of the best ways to avoid an audit is to be sure to have processes in place that guarantee your records are accurate. If you have questioned “do I need an accountant for my small business” after attempting to do your own taxes, the answer is likely yes as a South Jersey accountant can help you create processes that may help you avoid problems with the IRS in the future. Even if you decide to hire an accountant, you will still need to organize your records.

Invoices, receipts, contracts, bank statements should all be easily accessible and identifiable. You may also need time cards, documentation of change orders and information about withdrawals of materials from inventory if you have any. Having your records organized can ease the pressure of the audit as all the information you need will be in one location.

I Got an IRS Letter! What Do I Do?

If you already realized “I think I should hire an accountant for my small business” and that accountant filed your taxes, the first thing to do is to contact them with information about the letter. If you filed your own taxes, the first thing you do not want to do is panic. The letter you receive will have the information the IRS is checking, but it may not be completely clear. It is very important to remember that the IRS always contacts taxpayers by mail, never by phone, email or text. Often, the audit can be resolved by mail with no need to meet in person.

There will be details about who the auditor is on your case, so it is always a good idea to remain in contact with them about the process. You and your financial team should be available to answer any questions and provide documentation requested. Small business accounting services also recommend explaining any errors you may have discovered on your return that you were unaware existed until the audit letter arrived. This can go a long way toward resolving the matter quickly and easily.

Looking to Hire a South Jersey Accountant?

If you have been asking yourself “should I hire an accountant for my small business,” the answer is likely yes. It is highly recommended that construction companies hire a South Jersey accountant to hand all their small business accounting services, especially when it comes to filing tax returns.

Because the nature of the construction industry lends itself to IRS questions, using a South Jersey accountant like TMD Accounting is one of the best ways to help avoid an audit. If you are already facing an audit, our amazing team can help you determine what the IRS is looking for and possible save penalties and fees by addressing the questions the IRS is asking. Schedule an appointment today by calling 1-856-228-2205.

Healthy Finances for Healthcare Providers: Partnering with TMD Accounting

Healthcare professionals go into business to help others with their medical issues, not to balance checkbooks and pay bills. Spending your time sitting at a desk looking at financial information is likely not one of your favorite duties, but it is a fact of life that your staff must get paid, your creditors must receive payment and your finances need to be in order, especially when it comes to tax filing. TMD Accounting Services is here to help as your medical accounting service.

Understanding the Unique Financial Challenges in the Healthcare Industry

When it comes to healthcare accounting, there is no question it can be confusing, complicated and stressful. There are more factors involved in accounting for your medical practice than for most small businesses. You not only need to be sure to account for payments from your patients, but you also deal with insurance companies as well as federal agencies like Medicare and Medicaid whose regulations are constantly changing. This is where a healthcare accounting can help. There is no question that the healthcare industry has complicated revenue streams and reimbursement models, and our experts can help guide you through the process.

The Role of Healthcare Accounting in Supporting Healthcare Providers

 

TMD Accounting has over 40 years’ experience in accounting and financial management for a wide range of industries, including the medical field. As a medical accounting service, we offer tailored solutions for revenue optimization and expense control. In addition, we offer medical billing and revenue cycle management along with preparation and analysis of financial statements. Because tax preparation and planning can be complicated with healthcare accounting, we help your practice prepare for that necessity as well. We can also assist with financial decision-making that can help grow your practice.

Billing Patients and Insurance

Although the increased use of electronic forms has made it much easier to manage patient information, billing is not quite as simple. There are many components to medical billing today, including insurance regulations, federal guidelines and the needs of a patient that may make billing a bit more complicated. An error in insurance billing could result in a denied claim, even if the error is minor. Although electronic billing is now an option, many patients still prefer to receive the bill in the mail, even if they are able to make a payment online.

 

You also must deal with patients who are unable to pay their bills or who pay them late due to financial issues. Keep in mind a denied claim could mean you must bill the patient more than they expected, leading to additional delays in payment as both you and the patient try to navigate the complicated world of health insurance.

Medical Collections

One area that most medical professionals do not want to discuss is the fact that they will have to collect money from patients. Although healthcare providers understand that medical issues can occur suddenly and that there is often no way to prepare for the added expense of an emergency, the fact remains that you need to receive the money owed to you in order to keep your staff employed and your office running. Although you likely are willing to work with patients who are struggling financially, there are times when you simply must take additional actions in order to receive payment. That is where our experts can assist your practice. We can help you create a viable collection procedure that may reduce the delay in payments and help keep your cash flow positive.

Financial Statements by Medical Accounting Service

Like every business, healthcare professionals must complete standard accounting financial statements. Our medical accounting service can assist you with completion of cash flow statement, balance sheets, income statements and more. We can also review your cash flow, receivables, payables, expenses, revenue and liabilities to see where you might be able to reduce costs and increase income. We can also help you understand those reports so that you can make better decisions about your practice. You are responsible for monitoring the health of your patients, so it is advisable that you choose an expert to monitor the financial health of your practice.

Medical Practices and Accounts Receivable

One of the most important accounting requirements is management of accounts receivable. It is this financial tool that will provide you with positive cash flow. If you don’t have a positive cash flow, paying bills is more difficult and this may include paying your employees. You may have an established billing team in your practice, but working with healthcare accounting experts can give them additional tools that they may be unaware exist. You may also be able to streamline processes to free some of your staff of the billing matters so they can focus on other aspects of your practice.

Compliance and Regulation

A medical accounting service can also help you with a critical part of the business end of your practice – regulation and compliance. There are strict rules regarding patient privacy under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law designed to protect patient information. In addition, there are many compliance and regulatory rules related to Medicare, Medicaid and insurance, something a medical accounting service can assist with.

Key Services Provided by our Healthcare Accounting Service

As your medical accounting service, we offer expertise in healthcare accounting and financial management. Our focus is on creating solutions tailored specifically for your medical practice that will optimize revenue and help you gain better control of your expenses. Because we are well-versed in the importance of compliance in this industry, we can provide you with guidance and advice on how to be sure you are reporting properly and complying with the requirements that will keep your practice running smoothly. Because we proactively monitor and analyze your finances, you can rest easy knowing that the financial health of your practice is being handled by experts.

Looking For a Medical Accounting Service?

If you are a healthcare provider and need assistance with your healthcare accounting, contact TMD Accounting Services today to see how we can help. As a medical accounting service with decades of experience, we can help you reach your financial goals and help manage your accounting needs with flexibility, reliability and affordability. We live by our motto every day “where numbers matter and people count.” Learn more by calling 1-856-228-2205.

The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Small Business Accountant in NJ

Running a small business involves many financial tasks and responsibilities. Many small business owners turn to professional accountants to ensure accurate financial management and tax compliance. With that in mind, here is your ultimate guide to finding a small business accountant in New Jersey.

The Role of a Small Business Accountant

The Role of a Small Business Accountant

While some individuals may not want to spend money on this professional service, hiring a small business accountant is vital for effective financial management. It can be difficult to handle all of these responsibilities on your own. A small business accountant takes on the essential task of maintaining accurate and well-organized financial records. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Recording financial transactions
• Reconciling bank statements
• Tracking accounts payable and receivable
• Preparing financial statements such as balance sheets and income statements

By keeping proper bookkeeping, small business accounting services give you a clear understanding of your financial position. In addition to bookkeeping, a professional business accountant is familiar with tax laws and regulations, allowing them to assist with tax compliance and planning. They can help prepare and file tax returns to ensure your business complies with all relevant laws. Also, they can give valuable advice on tax planning to minimize tax liabilities and maximize deductions, potentially saving your business money in the long run.

An accountant can analyze financial data and provide meaningful insights to help you make informed decisions. These professionals can identify trends, spot potential financial risks or inefficiencies, and offer recommendations for improvement.

NJ small business accountants can assist with budgeting and forecasting. Developing a comprehensive budget and accurate financial forecasts are essential for small business’ success. They can create realistic budgets and forecasts based on historical data, market trends, and business goals.

Why Choose a Local Accountant in NJ

There are several advantages to hiring a local New Jersey accountant. They possess knowledge of the local business environment, are well-versed in state-specific tax regulations, and understand industry-specific challenges. In addition, the convenience of face-to-face meetings and access to local networking opportunities contribute to a more personalized and efficient financial management experience for your small business. Let’s take a deeper look at these benefits of working with a local accountant.

First, a local accountant in New Jersey has first-hand knowledge of the local business landscape firsthand. They understand the state’s economic trends, market conditions, and unique challenges. This familiarity allows them to provide tailored financial advice and strategies that align with the unique needs of your business.

Tax regulations vary from state to state, and New Jersey has its own tax laws and requirements. Hiring a local accountant ensures you have a professional well-versed in the state’s tax regulations. They can help you navigate complex tax codes, maximize tax deductions, and comply with New Jersey tax laws.

Different industries have their financial intricacies and challenges. Whether you operate an automotive shop or offer healthcare services, you can benefit from a local accountant’s understanding of your industry’s specific challenges and opportunities.

Working with a local accountant allows for face-to-face meetings, fostering a more personal and collaborative relationship. In-person interactions provide the opportunity to discuss financial matters in depth, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback. This level of personalized service can lead to a better understanding of your business’s financial goals and enable the accountant to offer more tailored advice.

Local accountants in New Jersey often have established networks within the business community. They can introduce you to potential partners, clients, or resources that can benefit your business through their connections. These networking opportunities can open doors for collaborations, referrals, and other mutually beneficial relationships that can contribute to your business’s growth.

Whether you need contractor accounting services or an outsourced restaurant accounting professional, hiring a local team means having easy access to all of their services. A local accountant is always there to provide support and ensure a quick response time, enabling you to address financial issues promptly and effectively.

Qualities to Look for in a Small Business Accountant

Qualities to Look for in a Small Business Accountant

Several important factors must be considered when selecting an accountant for your small business. First, you will want to find individuals with the necessary qualifications and certifications, such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. This designation highlights their expertise in accounting and adherence to professional standards since they have passed rigorous exams and often continue their education to stay current on accounting principles and practices.

You also want to look for an accountant with relevant experience working with small businesses, preferably in a similar industry. A track record of helping small businesses can provide valuable insight and expertise to help you navigate financial challenges and make informed decisions.

Effective communication is also critical when working with an accountant. Look for someone who can explain complex financial concepts clearly and understandably. A good accountant should actively listen to your concerns, ask relevant questions, and provide accurate and concise explanations to ensure that you understand the financial status of your business.

Additionally, a proactive and analytical accountant can add significant value to your small business. They should proactively identify potential financial risks, suggest improvements, and offer strategic advice. A solid analytical mindset allows accountants to analyze financial data, identify trends, and provide meaningful insights to help you optimize your financial performance.

Finally, trust is crucial in any professional relationship, especially when handling your business’s finances. You should get recommendations and read client testimonials to find an accountant with a solid reputation for trustworthiness and reliability. A reputable accountant will prioritize your business’s best interests and maintain the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Need Help With Your Small NJ Business?

Finding the right small business accountant in New Jersey is crucial for maintaining accurate financial records, maximizing tax deductions, and receiving valuable financial advice. TMD Accounting has been a trusted family-owned and -operated business for over 40 years in Gloucester County, NJ. We serve various industries, including automotive/body shops, healthcare, construction, hospitality, restaurants, and professional services. Our flexibility, reliability, and affordability make us an excellent choice for your small business accounting needs. If you want to schedule a consultation, call us at 856-228-2205.

The Cost-Effective Solution to Payroll: Outsourcing to a Company in NJ

Although there are many options available that your company may use to outsource, one of the most popular business processes to hand over to an outside company is payroll. Let’s face it: Payroll can be complicated and time-consuming. That is why you should consider outsourcing to a South Jersey accountant, because there are many benefits to using their services.

What is Payroll Outsourcing?

According to accountants in South Jersey, payroll outsourcing is when you hire an outside source to handle your payroll needs. When deciding “is an accountant for my small business necessary for payroll,” there are certain things to remember. You can outsource the entire payroll process from creating time cards to paying tax balances. Or, you can choose to keep some facets of payroll in-house.

How Does Payroll Outsourcing Work?

Once you have made the decision to outsource payroll, you will need to determine what parts of payroll you want to keep and what you want to allow the outside company to handle. The first thing a South Jersey accountant will do is to establish a method to transfer information.

Keep in mind this is not just information about salaries, but also sensitive data related to your staff. The company will need names, social security numbers, vacation and sick day policies, expense allowance rules, addresses, wages and more. Therefore, accountants in South Jersey often ask for a data protection policy as well. Once the data is collected and entered, the outside company will begin processing payroll.

Benefits of Outsourcing Payroll

If your company does not have a dedicated finance and administration team in-house, outsourcing payroll is extremely beneficial as it will remove the burden of paying employees from staff who have other duties. Even if you have in-house financial experts, accountants in South Jersey can allow them to focus on strategic planning and other aspects of your company. Outsourcing payroll will also guarantee that your staff is paid in a timely manner and that your employment taxes are filed properly. At the end of the year, tax forms will be sent out to your employees so that they arrive as quickly as possible.

Things to Consider Before Outsourcing

Things you should consider when wondering “is an accountant for my small business payroll important” include the size of your workforce and the number of people who are currently responsible for the payroll process. You also want to remember that if just one person has been responsible for payroll, they may be concerned about job security. You will need to decide where that employee’s attentions will now be focused. Accountants in South Jersey are also beneficial if your company lacks adequate expertise and knowledge in payroll processes, especially if your business if fairly new. In addition, remember that you will need to determine if outsourcing will be less costly than the method you are currently using.

Payroll Outsourcing Saves Time and Money

Research indicates that outsourcing payroll to a South Jersey accountant can actually save time and money. Payroll is one of the most time-consuming business processes and by freeing up your financial staff by shifting payroll elsewhere, they can focus on goals that will help your company grow. In addition, the cost of outsourcing is almost always less expensive than paying employees to handle it.

Compliance and Error Protection

One of the main reasons to let accountants in South Jersey handle your payroll is that they are able to identify hidden costs you may have missed in your payroll. Not only that, you minimize the risk of errors, late payroll tax filings as well as missed deadlines. Your staff is paid in a timely fashion and you are sure to meet all payroll regulations necessary under governmental requirements.

Disadvantages of Outsourcing Payroll

There are a few disadvantages to outsourcing payroll. Although you will likely work closely with a TMD Accounting, you will still be handing control over to a third party. Your staff will still need to take time to coordinate certain tasks and activities. This may mean reviewing time sheets and expense reports before they are submitted to the accountants in South Jersey. It is still important to monitor results to be sure the outsourced company is meeting expectations.

What to Look for In a South Jersey Accountant

When deciding a company to handle your payroll, there are things you should look for. You want good internal controls that indicate the company is structured, organized and offers quality performance. You also want to choose a company that uses the most up-to-date technology. Accountants in South Jersey should be on top of regulations, especially changes to the United States tax code which is complicated and subject to change often. You also want to choose a company that has competitive pricing and offers outstanding customer service.

Looking to Outsource Your Payroll?

Outsourcing your payroll can be a complicated decision which is why you need to choose a South Jersey accountant that puts their clients first. At TMD Accounting, numbers matter and people count, a motto we have followed for more than 40 years. We are family-owned and operated, and our team takes pride in treating our clients well. We understand as accountants in South Jersey that payroll is a complicated process and we want to be sure your transition to outsourcing is as smooth as possible. Contact TMD Accounting today by calling 1-856-228-2205 or by filling out the easy online form. See how we can help take your company to the next level.

Keeping Your Books in Order: Best Accounting Practices for Construction Contractors

With the fast-paced nature of the construction industry, accounting for these businesses can be challenging. The accounting methods in this field differ from those in other sectors. Contractors have to handle numerous projects simultaneously, each distributed across multiple locations. Along with that, they must manage each one’s costs, revenue, and profitability. Find out the best accounting for construction business practices to maximize your profitability and cash flow.

Key Construction Accounting Best Practices

With the complex nature of the industry, you need to consider allocating direct and indirect project costs, selecting between cash-basis or accrual-basis accounting, and choosing the right revenue recognition method for long-term projects. Properly managing change orders can also have a significant impact on the success of a project. Here are the best practices for construction accounting that you will want to implement for your business.

Job Costing

Accurately tracking expenses for each project is crucial for your construction company to control costs and measure profitability. With that, you can ensure that all direct and indirect expenses are promptly allocated to the proper job. During any project, you will want to record expenses and submit them daily. Time-tracking software can help monitor labor costs, while expenses should be categorized in the same way as in the estimate to analyze whether the job is proceeding as planned. Your company should also have a standard formula for allocating indirect expenses, such as administrative overhead, to each project. When you use modern, cloud-based project management software from the job site, your workers improve on-time completion records, keep customers informed, and minimize non-billable work.

Choose the Right Accounting Method

Construction companies have two primary options when it comes to accounting methods: cash basis and accrual basis. Smaller firms often prefer simpler cash-basis accounting, which records revenue when received and expenses when paid. However, companies with revenues exceeding $25 million cannot use cash accounting for tax purposes. The accrual-basis method is more complex and required for larger businesses, including public companies. This method generally provides a more accurate picture of a company’s finances but may obscure short-term cash flow issues.

Manage Change Orders

Change order management in construction projects is crucial to ensure that changes don’t cut into your project profits or result in customer disputes. The original contract should outline how to handle change orders in your project. You should also establish a standard change order process that includes the complete documentation of the work and costs required for each change requested. Ideally, you should hold off on starting work until a signed agreement from the customer is received. Some companies need a formal approval process to accept change orders. No matter what, you will want to record change orders accurately in the accounting system so that project cost and profitability can be tracked.

There are several accounting approaches to managing change orders. For unapproved change orders, you can add the costs associated with the change order to the project’s direct costs. If you are implementing a change order that’s unapproved but likely to be approved, you can add the costs to an asset account until approval for the change order is obtained. Alternatively, you can add the expense to the project’s costs and increase the anticipated project revenue by the same amount. For approved change orders, all costs associated with the change order should be added to the project costs, and the total contract value should be increased by the amount charged for the change order.

Select the Right Tax Strategies

Construction firms need to plan their tax strategies year-round to get the most benefit and ensure they comply with IRS requirements. Often, contractors that are owners or investors in the company are considered pass-through entities, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and most LLCs and S corporations, can deduct their allocated share of losses. Contractors can also minimize tax liability by maximizing retirement plan contributions and reducing pretax income. By implementing these tax reporting strategies, contractors can better manage their tax liability and maximize their tax benefits.

Use a Firm That Handles Construction Accounting in NJ

A South Jersey accountant can help you keep your financial records organized and accurate, ensuring compliance with tax regulations and avoiding penalties. They can help you choose the right accounting method, such as accrual-basis accounting, that accurately reflects your company’s finances and enables you to manage your tax liability.

Additionally, an accounting firm can provide valuable financial analysis and reporting, helping you make informed business decisions. They can help you identify profitable areas of your business, enabling you to make adjustments and optimize your operations. These professionals can also help you track project costs and profitability, giving insight into which projects are the most profitable and ones that may need adjustments.

Finally, outsourcing your accounting needs to a professional service can save you time and resources, enabling you to focus on your core business operations. It can also provide you with peace of mind, knowing that your finances are handled by experts who are well-versed in the complexities of construction accounting.

Need Help With Your Construction Accounting?

If you’re a small construction business owner looking for reliable and personalized accounting services, TMD Accounting is the right choice. As a family-owned and -operated firm, we understand small businesses’ unique needs and challenges. Our experienced team of professionals has helped numerous clients over the years. We’re dedicated to building long-lasting relationships based on trust, integrity, and exceptional service. Our firm offers various accounting services, including payroll processing, tax planning and filing, and financial statement preparation. Schedule a consultation by calling 856-228-2205.

Navigating NJ Payroll Laws: Why Expertise Matters

Like many other things in New Jersey, the payroll tax laws are complex. As a small business owner, you must ensure compliance with the relevant laws that apply and make sure to remit the correct payroll taxes to the appropriate tax authorities. Failing to pay your payroll taxes on time or in full can result in substantial penalties. Here is some information about New Jersey payroll tax laws from a South Jersey accountant and why you should consider hiring the professionals at TMD Accounting.

Overview of Payroll Tax Laws in New Jersey

As an employer, you must comply with federal and state payroll tax laws. Federal laws include mandatory withholding of federal income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and Federal Unemployment Insurance. New Jersey employers must also comply with the following state laws.

State Income Tax Withholding Laws

Under New Jersey’s laws, you must withhold state income tax from your employees’ paychecks and remit them to the state at regular intervals. These laws apply unless you also must withhold the income taxes of another jurisdiction at an equal or higher rate than New Jersey’s rate. You also have the legal obligation to withhold state income taxes for employees who are non-residents. Under New Jersey’s progressive tax system, you’ll need to understand the state’s income tax rates, which range from 1.4% to 10.75%. The highest rate applies to employees whose gross incomes range from $1 million to $5 million, and the lowest rate applies to those earning up to $20,000.

Employers must withhold income taxes of 21.3% from their employees’ wages applied retroactively to Jan. 1, 2020, as a catch-up provision. You must file payroll tax withholdings each quarter, and you must file a year-end payroll tax return electronically.

Reciprocity With Pennsylvania

New Jersey and Pennsylvania have a reciprocity agreement. This means that if you have an employee who lives in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to have them fill out Form NJ-165 to avoid New Jersey state tax withholding.

Unemployment Insurance

Most New Jersey employers must pay state unemployment insurance taxes. If you have one or more employees to whom you pay wages of more than $1,000 per year, you are required to pay state unemployment taxes. State unemployment taxes in New Jersey are based on a wage base of $34,400 per year. The rates range from 0.5% to 5.8% and are calculated each fiscal year. Your experience rate is calculated by taking the contributions you have paid and subtracting any benefits charged. You then divide that amount by your company’s average annual payroll. New employers are assigned rates for the initial three years based on their experience. Employers must also pay state disability insurance taxes, family leave insurance, and workforce development funds. Typically, these three types of taxes total around 0.0005%. When you pay state unemployment taxes in New Jersey, you might be able to take a discount of up to 5.4% on your federal unemployment taxes.

Workers’ Compensation

Employers in New Jersey must either carry workers’ compensation insurance or qualify to self-insure. To self-insure, you must seek approval from the Department of Banking and Insurance and show that your company has the financial ability to meet its legal obligations.

In addition to these various types of taxes employers must pay, there are a variety of forms that must be completed.

Why You Should Hire a Small Business Accountant in NJ to Handle Payroll

Below are some reasons why you should consider hiring a small business accountant in New Jersey to handle payroll for your company.

Leveraging Expertise

When you outsource payroll to a small business accountant at TMD Accounting, you can leverage their expertise and specialized knowledge. This can help to ensure you remain legally compliant and reduce the potential of costly errors.

Cost Savings

A professional accountant can help your business save money over the long run when you outsource your payroll to them by offering efficient, streamlined services. You can avoid the costs of hiring full-time employees to handle payroll while receiving valuable tax advice.

Ensure Regulatory Compliance

Payroll tax laws in New Jersey are complex, and complying with them can be time-consuming. It can be overwhelming to deal with regulations, laws, and payroll taxes if you don’t have a background in finance or accounting. By hiring a professional accounting firm, you can ensure regulatory compliance and avoid costly penalties.

Avoid Penalties

Most business owners simply don’t have the time to properly handle payroll and are prone to mistakes. This can result in potentially costly penalties. A South Jersey accountant can help you avoid fines, penalties, and fees assessed by the Internal Revenue Service by processing your company’s payroll correctly.

Maximize Deductions on Your Tax Returns

As accounting and tax experts, South Jersey accountants can help you identify and maximize available deductions on your taxes that are associated with payroll. This can help to keep your payroll costs low and reduce your taxable income.

Small businesses can enjoy numerous benefits by outsourcing payroll to professional accountants. An accounting firm can provide tailored solutions for your business to meet your payroll needs while also advising you about taxes and helping with filing your returns.

Find an Accountant for My Small Business

If you’re looking to outsource your small business payroll to an accountant in New Jersey, you should reach out to TMD Accounting. Our experienced accounting professionals can provide quality payroll services for your company. To learn more about the tailored solutions we can offer to your business, call us today at 1-856-228-2205.

Top Financial Mistakes Construction Contractors Make and How to Avoid Them

The construction industry is no stranger to financial challenges. Long project timelines, significant material orders, and upfront labor expenses often characterize this type of work. Construction contractors need careful management of their finances to ensure financial stability and profitability. With help from a South Jersey accountant, you can avoid these issues that lead to reduced profitability, missed deadlines, and even bankruptcy. Here are the top financial mistakes construction contractors make and how to avoid them in your company.

Not Documenting All Work

In the construction industry, project managers can make changes on the fly without proper documentation. However, this can lead to a wide range of financial challenges for contractors, including reduced profit margins and even losses on a project. Unfortunately, these problems stem from the industry’s split-second nature, where decisions and changes are based on a brief conversation and a handshake. Without proper documentation, these changes may go unnoticed and unrecorded, leading to additional costs that may not be billed.

If you want to address this challenge, you need to implement better processes to facilitate mid-project changes. You will need a detailed scope of work, which outlines all project requirements and specifications from the start of the project. The scope should be supported by a detailed change order process that allows contractors to put together pricing and document project changes before sending them to the finance team for invoicing. By implementing these processes, contractors can avoid undocumented changes and ensure all work is invoiced. With that, you can reduce the risk of financial losses and improve your company’s overall profitability.

Late Invoices and Missing Bank Draws

Projects often have invoice submission deadlines for monthly draws from the bank. Missing these deadlines can result in delayed payments and cash flow issues. Late invoicing can significantly impact a construction company’s financial health. If workers and vendors are not paid on time, the company’s financial risk increases, leaving a lack of available cash to put back into the business. The causes of late invoicing can vary, but common issues include lax reporting systems, poor communication between the field and finance departments, or an overworked financial team.

Consider hiring contractor accounting services to address these challenges to ensure all invoices are submitted on time. By addressing these issues proactively, you can ensure workers and vendors are paid on time.

Insufficient Cash Reserves

Sometimes, the construction company will have to cover the labor and material expenses before receiving a full payment from the client. As a result, construction companies may need help to cover costs and make essential payments, such as payroll. This can lead to unnecessary loans or payment delays, which can accrue interest costs or cause distrust among vendors and employees. Insufficient cash reserves can be a significant issue for construction companies since it limits their ability to grow their business.

If you want to avoid these issues, consider requiring a 25-50% deposit on projects, which can help reduce the labor and material costs being fronted by your company. You can also renegotiate vendor contracts to extend billing cycles or pay some or all expenses after completing the project. However, this approach works best when a good, trusting relationship with vendors exists. By implementing these strategies, you can reduce your financial risk, keep more cash on hand, and preserve working capital to grow the business more strategically. Additionally, having sufficient cash reserves can help you weather seasonal fluctuations and unforeseen circumstances, providing a foundation for long-term success in the industry.

Misunderstanding and Misallocating Costs

When it comes to understanding costs in the construction industry, you need to have a clear and comprehensive understanding of all the expenses associated with a project, including materials, labor, equipment, and administrative costs. Without an understanding of expenses, construction companies may be pricing jobs incorrectly, resulting in projects that are destined to be unprofitable. By properly allocating and tracking costs for each project, companies can gain a more accurate view of their profitability and make more informed business decisions.

You will want to analyze your income statements and identify costs that need to be properly allocated. When you take a more strategic approach to cost allocation and tracking, you can maximize profits on all projects and achieve greater overall profitability.

Front-Loading Costs

Front-loading costs refer to spending a large amount of money upfront in a project’s early stages. Permits and site preparation expenses are all included in this practice. While it may seem necessary to get a project off the ground, front-loading costs can lead to cash flow problems later on in the project when the money runs out before completion. Front-loading costs can strain a construction company’s cash flow. In turn, the company may need to take out loans or delay vendor payments, which can negatively impact business relationships. Additionally, it may result in a project’s completion taking longer than anticipated, leading to potential penalties and damages.

You should develop a comprehensive project plan outlining expenses and expected timelines to prevent front-loading costs. With that, you can allocate resources and manage cash flow more effectively. Additionally, consider spreading costs throughout a project, negotiating with vendors for payment terms, and setting aside contingency funds to cover unexpected expenses.

Consider TMD Accounting for Your Construction Company Financial Needs

As a family-owned and- operated accounting firm, we have extensive experience assisting with accounting for construction business clients. Our team provides personalized, high-quality service to meet your financial situation. See how we can help your construction company succeed. Call us at 856-228-2205 to schedule a consultation.

The Importance of Accuracy in Payroll Processing for NJ Businesses

As a small business owner, you understand the need for accuracy. When it comes time for your payroll, you want to ensure that workers receive fair compensation for their labor. If you don’t manage your payroll, it can harm your business’s reputation and future prospects. You need an accurate system in place to avoid any issues for your company. Here are a few things to know about payroll processing so that you can prevent problems in the future.

Accurate Payroll Processing Is Vital for Your Business

You want to ensure that your business has accurate payroll processing measures in place. First, you want to make sure that all your employees receive fair compensation for their jobs. Missing a payment or using the incorrect rate can lead to frustration and distrust, resulting in increased turnover rates and decreased productivity from your employees.

Along with that, you always want to avoid any potential legal issues. Failing to pay your employees can lead to fines, legal fees, and lawsuits. As a result, it could damage your financial stability and the company’s reputation.

With a precise payroll processing system, you can maintain a positive public image for your business. You can attract more customers and employees when you are known for treating employees fairly and providing accurate compensation. In turn, that can lead to increased growth opportunities and profits.

Accurate payroll processing is essential for maintaining employee satisfaction, avoiding legal issues, promoting transparency and trust, and presenting a positive public image. For that reason, you will want to prioritize your payroll processing to ensure the long-term success of your business.

Why Do You Need to Outsource Your Payroll Processing?

Outsourcing payroll processing has become a popular option for businesses of all sizes. There are many benefits of outsourcing this task. It can help companies to streamline their operations while minimizing errors and ensuring compliance with regulations. Here are some key reasons you may want to consider outsourcing your payroll.

Cost Savings

Outsourcing payroll processing saves you money on staffing costs, equipment, and software. With these services, you no longer have to spend time and money training your in-house staff on complex payroll systems and regulations.

Time Savings

Outsourcing payroll processing can free up valuable time so that you can focus on other areas of the business. Hiring a company to handle your payroll can be beneficial if you have a small business. These companies often don’t have time to manage payroll by themselves.

Accuracy and Compliance

Payroll processing companies ensure that payrolls are processed accurately, on time, and in compliance with regulations. These services help to minimize errors and reduce the risk of penalties and fines for non-compliance. They also keep up to date with changes in tax laws and regulations, ensuring that your payroll is always compliant. This can help you avoid costly penalties and fines from the state and federal governments.

Data Security

Outsourcing payroll processing can help ensure that your sensitive employee information is secure. Payroll processing companies use the latest technology and security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access.

Expertise

Finally, these companies have the expertise and resources to handle all aspects of payroll processing, including complex tax calculations, employee benefits, and regulatory compliance. With that, you can ensure that your payroll is accurate and compliant while reducing the risk of errors.

Choosing the Right Payroll Processing Service for Your Small Business

When it comes to choosing a payroll service or South Jersey accountant, there are several factors that you should consider when selecting the best option for your business needs. Here are a few tips for choosing small business accounting services for your company.

Track Record of Success

You want to work with a firm with a proven track record of honesty and accuracy in handling federal, state, and local tax filings and payments. You should also know if the firm encourages clients to verify payroll tax payments using well-known methods, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).

Insured

A reputable payroll processor should have errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, a fidelity bond for crime protection, and cyber liability coverage to protect against potential losses or damages.

Solid Reputation

Along with integrity and insurance, you will also want to consider the reputation of the payroll service provider. The right firm should provide you with a long list of references who can vouch for the quality of their services. Make sure to contact these references and ask them specific questions to ensure that the provider offers excellent customer service.

Latest Technology

The payroll service provider should have the latest technology that seamlessly integrates payroll processing with employee time tracking and human resource management. Additionally, the service should offer employees a secure portal to access their pay and other relevant information. A reliable time and attendance system will be instrumental in tracking employee attendance, work hours, and paid time off.

Find an Accountant for My Small Business

Setting up proper payroll processing practices is crucial for the success of any business, no matter its size. At TMD Accounting, we have a team of expert accountants who can help create a payroll plan to pay your employees and keep your business compliant. We provide payroll and bookkeeping services to companies in various industries, including automotive and body shops, healthcare, construction, hospitality, restaurants, and professional services. If you would like to learn about our services, please contact us at 856-228-2205.

Simplifying Payroll Processing for NJ Business: An Overview

One of the most time consuming aspects of running a business is payroll processing. Although it may sound simple to compute the hours an employee works and cut them a check, the fact is that there are many other aspects to payroll processing that many business owners do not consider. These include payroll taxes, wage garnishments, labor regulations regarding hours and breaks as well as making sure payroll is executed and issued in a timely manner. The team at TMD Accounting offers these tips for simplifying your payroll processes.

Budget for Payroll

One of the biggest mistakes business owners make, according to small business accounting services, is not budgeting for their payroll costs. Keep in mind that payroll involves more than just paying your staff. You will need to have enough budgeted to not only cover employee salaries, but also withholding taxes that must be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service, your state, and your local government quarterly. What many new business owners don’t understand is that although your employee has FICA and Medicare tax withdrawn from their checks, as an employer you are also required to match those amounts. Therefore, you want to be sure that your budget includes the salary plus the taxes you will be required to submit.

Consider a Separate Bank Account

Although you are able to pay your staff from your main business account, using a separate account for payroll may help make your cash flow more transparent. When your company is growing, this can help you budget more easily. It will also help you keep better track of your payroll taxes, the cost of the benefits you offer as well as other deductions you may need to withdraw from your employee’s payroll checks.

Choose a Payday and Stick with It

Your employees expect to receive a paycheck at regular intervals and while there are pros and cons to the various time periods you use for payroll, whether it is weekly, bi-weekly, twice a month or monthly, once you decide when payroll will be issued, small business accounting services suggest you stick with that schedule. Keep in mind that the more often you pay your employees, the more you will need to track your withholdings which is why many employers use the bi-weekly or twice monthly methods for payroll says a South Jersey accountant.

Salary or Hourly?

One of the most frequently asked questions when people ask “is an account for my small business necessary” is whether paying employees a salary or paying them hourly is the best option. This may depend on the business you are in as well as what each employee does. In most cases, management will be placed on salary as their duties are more complex. Paying hourly requires a bit more work as you will need a method to track each employee’s hours every pay period. If you outsource your payroll to small business accounting services, they often have mechanisms in place that will track your employee hours for you.

Use Direct Deposit

Research indicates that more than 80 percent of all Americans are paid via direct deposit, and this is one of the best ways to streamline your payroll services. Direct deposit allows you to review reports before you transfer funds to your staff. There is no need for stacks of checks that need to be signed, envelopes to keep payroll private concerns about lost checks or any of the other issues that you face when you issue paper checks.

Payroll Policies

Another critical error many business owners make is not having policies in place for their employees and this is especially true of payroll. When you hire a new employee, there will be documents they need to provide, including copies of Social Security cards, filling out a W9 form as well as any benefit paperwork. Consider issuing a payroll policy that has time sheet deadlines, information about taking sick or vacation time, reimbursement for business expenses and more. You and the employee should sign the policy with a copy given to the employee as well as one in their personnel file.

Set Up Reminders

It is likely your employees will not be pleased if you forget to pay them, and it will be difficult to retain staff if you consistently make mistakes in their paychecks. Although using a South Jersey accountant will help prevent these errors, you can also make sure things are done in a timely fashion by setting reminders for yourself. These may simply be a reminder to submit approved forms in time for checks to be issued or one so that you remember quarterly taxes must be submitted.

Electronic Tax Filing

The IRS offers the option to file payroll taxes rather than mail in forms and a check. It is likely your state and local governments offer that as well. This helps eliminate the risk of payments arriving late and helps you remain compliant with the law. Usually, you will receive an instant confirmation that your payment was received which you can file for your records.

If you are asking “will an accountant for my small business help with payroll,” the answer is yes. TMD Accounting has been offering accounting services for more than 40 years as a family-owned and operated South Jersey accountant. Contact our team today about your payroll needs by calling 1-856-228-2205 or fill out the easy online contact form.

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