Category Archives: General

A Little Appreciation Goes a Long Way!

April, 2024

In today’s digital society thank you cards have disappeared as have handwritten notes of appreciation, having been replaced by e-mails, or nothing at all.  So many times, over the holidays I dealt with a cashier, or store employee that failed to say thank you when I made my purchase. Not a big deal, but I noticed.

It seems that expressions of gratitude and appreciation in recent years. have disappeared from our society. With that in mind I wanted to make sure we acknowledge many of you who went out of your way to make us feel so appreciated last tax season.

First, there was Sam who dropped by with a large tray of snacks including crackers, raisins, trail mix, cakes and so much more.

Then there was Ashley who introduced our staff to the inexplicable joy of Crumbl Cookies. What a treat!

There was Lorn who brought us some of the tastiest deer bologna of the season. He brought chocolates too! A little something for everyone on our staff.

There was Bruce who knocked it out of the park by treating our staff to five pounds of shrimp one day at lunchtime! Unbelievable!

We can’t forget Sharon who blessed us with some of the tastiest homemade cookies you would ever want to eat! Delicious

There was Maurice from Middleburg, a long-time client who sent in a handwritten letter with some very kind words.

I want to thank the rest of you who went out of your way to say something kind or be especially nice during our stressful filing season.

Our biggest source of growth comes from referrals made by our existing clients. Your kind words and trust in referring your family and friends makes us feel so appreciated. From me and our staff a heartfelt thank you!

Experience is the Best Teacher!

Experience is the Best Teacher!

I just returned from a three-day retreat for CPA firm owners. It was at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, PA.  At this retreat, small accounting firm owners mentor each other, share with each other and sympathize with each other over the trials of running a small accounting and tax practice in today’s economy. It is by… Continue Reading

The Business Expo Is Here!

The Business Expo Is Here!

The Brunswick Chamber of Commerce annual Business Expo is this evening. It will be held at the new Brunswick firehall. Our firm has been an exhibitor for the last three years and each year it has been a great experience. This is a great venue to market a small local business like ours. For me,… Continue Reading

Ethics in Tax Practice

Ethics in Tax Practice

In the course of operating a tax practice, we sometimes find ourselves dealing with issues and situations that seem harmless or insignificant, but that are really landmines waiting to explode. As practice owners, we must set the standards of performance and adherence to policies that our clients and staff members are expected to follow. No… Continue Reading

Tax-Related Telephone Scams

Tax-Related Telephone Scams

This week our area has been hit with an increased number of tax-related scam telephone calls. They are starting to sound much more realistic than similar scams in prior years. Usually the caller will identify themselves as a member of an enforcement division of either the IRS or Maryland State Police. They will inform you… Continue Reading

We can’t do it all…well

We can’t do it all…well

As business owners, we do our best to minimize our expenses while trying to maximize our revenues. Too often we become revenue-focused and pour the majority of our time and energy in to producing more revenue. This naturally leads to a decline in the aspects of our business that don’t directly produce the revenue. We… Continue Reading

Behind the Scenes at a Carnival

Behind the Scenes at a Carnival

Last week, I had the opportunity to serve my Ruritan Club and the Jefferson community by working every night at our annual carnival. Most people are unaware of the recordkeeping and statistical tracking that goes on at a carnival. Each major activity is a separate profit center. The revenues and the related expenses of that… Continue Reading

The annual IRS Tax Forum is here!

The annual IRS Tax Forum is here!

This week, I will be attending the IRS Tax Forum at the Gaylord Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland. The forum is a special opportunity for Tax Practitioners to attend presentations where the internal processes of the IRS are discussed. This offers insight in to resolving complex issues with a minimum of delay and confusion. Special… Continue Reading

Potomac Edison customers get increased recycling incentive thru July

Potomac Edison customers get increased recycling incentive thru July

Do you read the “junk mail” inserts included with your electric bill? If not, you may have missed an opportunity to be paid for recycling your old refrigerator or freezer. From now until July 31, 2018 Potomac Edison is offering a $75 credit for any working refrigerator or freezer recycled through their Appliance Recycling Program.… Continue Reading

Sometimes you can’t do it all by yourself!

Sometimes you can’t do it all by yourself!

Sometimes small business owners try to accomplish tasks without assistance from anyone. Many years of successful practice can lead us into a mindset that we can tackle almost any job without assistance. Sometimes we get deep into the project and find we are overwhelmed with alternatives we cannot properly evaluate, or we have suspicions that… Continue Reading

Hired Guns

Hired Guns

When you operate a seasonal business, your workload is concentrated into a few months out of the year. The very nature of this beast makes it difficult to assemble a talented workforce. Most experienced employees desire year-round income. This limits the business to finding seasonal help. Every year we experience a backlog at the review… Continue Reading

Increase in Security Attacks this Tax Season

Increase in Security Attacks this Tax Season

This tax season we experienced a significant increase in phishing e-mails and fraudulent phone calls regarding taxes. I have spoken with a number of my peers who also experienced an increased level of security attacks. I personally received a phishing e-mail or fraudulent telephone call almost every week during the filing season. This is a… Continue Reading

Sometimes not working can make us more productive!

Sometimes not working can make us more productive!

Unless you work in this industry or are married to someone who works in this industry, you probably don’t fully appreciate the demands of a “tax season.” The average CPA makes about 67 percent of their annual income during the months of January to April. It is a lot of work during a relatively short… Continue Reading