FINSYNC vs. QuickBooks: Small Business Owners Weigh In

Small business owners spoke with us about how FINSYNC has helped them solve common problems — and why many have switched over from QuickBooks.

By FINSYNC

At FINSYNC, we love connecting with small business owners for our blog series called Spotlight on Small Business Owners. Over the past year, we’ve interviewed a number of small business owners. We always enjoy speaking with them about the challenges and rewards of running a business. 

During these conversations, business owners often tell us how FINSYNC has helped solve some of the many challenges they face. Over time, we noticed a trend — QuickBooks has repeatedly come up in these conversations, completely unprompted. 

It turns out, a lot of FINSYNC users have switched over from QuickBooks in order to find solutions to issues that are common to many small business owners. Here’s why.

Visibility

We had tried QuickBooks and several other solutions, and they all prevented us from getting visibility into where our cash pain points were going to be. Early on in the business we often found ourselves running out of cash unexpectedly.  

Whether something someone had purchased on a credit card wasn’t foreseen, or a client receivable wasn’t paid on time and we didn’t anticipate that, these situations became a problem. Working with FINSYNC we were able to get a lot of visibility to anticipate the crunches and prepare for those situations.

With the cash flow tools that allow us to see where our financial trends are, we’ve been able to look forward and see where potential problems might arise. This allows us to plan accordingly rather than having sudden surprises.”

Travis Peters, Impelos

Value

“We were using QuickBooks because that’s what our accountant had asked us to use, and I was looking for more cost-effective alternatives. FINSYNC had everything that I wanted at a much more attractive price point. 

Plus, they were much more responsive to inquiries, really friendly in the onboarding process. They seemed much more concerned with our success and happiness than with just signing us up. The fact that there was a personalized onboarding process speaks directly to the difference between FINSYNC and the gigantic companies.”

Andy Rostad, Media Beyond 

Service

“In the past, I’ve used various versions of QuickBooks and was never completely satisfied. FINSYNC has been a wonderful and affordable alternative to other accounting packages out there. It’s easy to use and the customer service is outstanding!

I’ve found the software very easy to learn. Whenever I have a question, Nathan has been readily available to help me figure things out. I like FINSYNC’s all-in-one model, the ability to accept many different methods of payment from a single platform, and that everything is synced from my bank account.”  

Kathy Pieper, Learning Cycle Tutors

Payments 

“Before FINSYNC, we focused primarily on online sales and used Stripe and QuickBooks. This presented a limit for how many online invoices I could send. I needed a platform that would allow unlimited invoices and vendor payments since that is a large part of what I’m doing in my business. FINSYNC can do that and has many other features that are valuable to me. 

Callie Ogden, Event Vines

Project Cost Accounting

“We were using various tools and none of them talked to each other. We were using QuickBooks Online for our receivables. Later, we added the payables part to it. However, it wasn’t connected to payroll, nor was it connected to time tracking, nor to our project management data in Excel for project cost accounting. 

Our time tracking vendor didn’t connect to QuickBooks. We couldn’t really have a project cost accounting solution other than Excel spreadsheets, so I was spending a lot of time trying to get the data we needed from one tool and then patch summary information to other tools and make sense out of it all. It was very costly and very burdensome. 

I knew we had to have a better sense of where we stood as a company. FINSYNC pulls all the data together so I can make sense out of things. It was the only platform we found that did everything we wanted. 

QuickBooks can do payables, payroll, receivables, and general ledger kind of stuff, but the project cost accounting was virtually non-existent. Time tracking didn’t exist at that point either. Our accountant was a certified QuickBooks professional, but he couldn’t figure out how to use QuickBooks to get what we wanted.

The only platform that really seemed like it did project cost accounting well in a way that made sense to me was FINSYNC.”

Galen Dalrymple, Polymath 

Want to see for yourself how FINSYNC can help you save time, money, and maybe even your sanity? Try the software free for a week.

Bookkeeping Basics: 5 Best Practices from Financial Experts

Every day, FINSYNC matches small businesses with independent financial professionals who are best suited to help their businesses grow. From bookkeeping and accounting to financial analysis and corporate strategy, these expert services are available on a contract basis when you need them.

 

We sat down with a few of FINSYNC’s bookkeepers and accountants for some bookkeeping advice for small business owners. Here are five best practices straight from the experts:

 

1. Reconcile Your Accounts

 

“Always reconcile your bank and credit card accounts. Everything feeds either through a bank account or credit card, so if you can do that, it gives you a really good sense of where your money is going. Start from your beginning balance and reconcile to the end of the month every month. If the closing balance in your accounting software doesn’t match the closing balance of your bank account, then you need to find out why and make a correction. If you don’t conduct bank and credit card reconciliations, you won’t be able to discover what’s causing the discrepancy and fix it.”

 

Linda Cappadona, Bookkeeper

 

2. Build a Payments Rhythm

 

“The second rule of small business bookkeeping is to build a payment rhythm. Don’t push data-entry and reconciliation tasks off because it’s tedious and time-consuming. It’s crucial that you review your books at least once a week. It can help set recurring calendar events and automate processes wherever possible. One way to build a payment rhythm is to automate your bookkeeping to ensure your books are always up-to-date. If you fall behind on bookkeeping, your books can quickly become a mess, and problems can become more difficult to untangle. At the very least, make sure you always keep accurate and consistent records.”

 

Linda Cappadona, Bookkeeper

 

Learn more from Linda about bookkeeping for beginners.

 

3. Start Prepping for Tax Season Now

 

“Don’t wait until the end of the year to start tracking expenses. About half of the businesses I work with don’t keep records. At year-end, they run into problems because they don’t have the records necessary to find possible deductions. Most of the businesses I talk to try to deduct expenses that they can’t validate. If we take those deductions and are then in a situation where you’re audited by the IRS, you will end up with the burden and will need to pay.” 

 

Juan Llantin, Accountant

 

Get more tips from Juan on reducing your taxes.

 

4. Hire a Bookkeeper

 

“The biggest mistake that I’ve seen is business owners trying to do their own books. Unless you have a background or you’re very well taught, doing your own books is the quickest way to create a mess.

 

My advice is: The skill that you start your business with is the thing that makes you money. Your best use of time is to use those skills to make your money versus trying to learn the whole accounting theory of debits and credits and trying to do your own books. It’s worth the money to pay someone well to do your books.

 

If you don’t value your bookkeeper, your business is going to suffer. I have clients who every year insist on doing their own books, and every year I end up having to charge them a lot to clean up their books.” 

 

Jennifer Brenner, Bookkeeper

 

5. Use an Intuitive Financial Platform 

 

“FINSYNC has a really good platform for projects — I actually like the FINSYNC platform better than QuickBooks. A business owner can easily get on the FINSYNC platform and see where everything is. They can see where their money is going and where they need to cut back, and they can access reports such as Profit and Loss and Balance Sheets. As a business owner, that is what you should be focusing on.”

 

Linda Cappadona, Bookkeeper

 

“If you’re a client that has the ability to work with professionals remotely, the FINSYNC platform provides cost savings and efficiencies. Everything is cloud-based and backed up. All documents are saved online — invoicing, bills, anything — so it’s all paperless and saved.”

 

Mark Wright, Accountant

 

How FINSYNC Can Help

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

 

How ACH Payments Can Benefit Your Small Business

The world is quickly becoming a digital, paperless place, yet half of all small businesses still use checks to make payments. Take Sara, for example. Sara runs her own custom print shop. She works with a lot of smaller vendors that only accept checks and a lot of one-off clients that prefer to pay her at the end of the day but don’t carry a lot of cash. 

 

Sara’s story isn’t unique — many businesses choose checks over online payments. Some use checks because of familiarity, others because they’re universal, but many choose to pay by check because of cost, security, and cash flow management. However, many of these reasons are based on misunderstandings and myths that prevent small businesses from reaping the benefits of ACH payments. 

 

What Are ACH Payments?

 

Before we dive into how ACH payments can benefit your business, let’s take a look at what they are and how they work. ACH stands for Automated Clearing House payments. These electronic payments allow a vendor to debit a customer’s account for the amount due. The customer gives the vendor authorization to do so by providing their routing number and account number when the customer agrees to pay.

 

A Cheaper Way to Get Paid

 

Many businesses think that checks are a free way to make and accept payments. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The real cost of a check varies from $3 to $20, including the cost of paper, stamps, and envelopes, as well as labor hours that are used to mail and reconcile checks. In addition, canceling a check can cost $20 to $30. 

 

If Sara completes two one-off projects per week, for which she collects checks, that leaves her with eight checks a month, which are going to cost her anywhere from $24 to $160 a month to process. That adds up to between $288 and $1,920 every year, which does not include paying her suppliers by check. 

 

ACH payments, on the other hand, have a flat transaction fee of around $0.50. While there is some manual labor involved in making and receiving payments online, it’s not nearly as time-consuming as making payments with physical checks, and accounting happens automatically when ACH payments are connected to invoices or bills. 

 

A Better Cash Flow Overview

 

Some businesses operate under the idea that the delay that comes with processing checks offers more liquidity and gives them more control over their cash flow. While that idea may be true for a small number of businesses, it applies only to very specific circumstances. 

 

For the most part, ACH payments offer better cash flow because ACH funds become available faster. On average, ACH payments are processed within three business days. Paper checks can take up to eight business days. That does not include the time it takes for the US Postal Service to deliver a check in the mail.

 

Five days might not sound like a lot, but it is. For a business like Sara’s, where 25% – 30% of her revenue is paid in checks, switching to ACH payments provides a more accurate cash flow projection for her business on a weekly basis. 

 

ACH payments can bring additional value to your business if you make them through FINSYNC’s payments platform. The all-in-one platform automatically matches payments with your accounts receivable and accounts payable, which saves you a lot of valuable time. If you’re already using FINSYNC, enabling ACH payments for your account is simple.

 

ACH is More Secure than a Check

 

Many businesses are reluctant to share their bank account information with vendors. This is due to the risk of a data breach, and have therefore stuck to check payments. Unfortunately, using checks doesn’t always protect you from fraud. In fact, about 70% of all organizations experienced check fraud in 2018, according to JP Morgan.

 

Checks and ACH payments use the same information to process payments:

 

Routing number

◦ Account number

Payment number

 

All of the time your check is in the mail, this information is potentially exposed to anyone who comes in contact with it. When you pay using ACH, however, you typically have an extra layer of cybersecurity protocols that your vendors put in place to protect your data.

 

You can add an additional layer of security by using ACH payments through FINSYNC. The platform stores all account information without ever exposing it to customers or vendors. You don’t have to take responsibility for your customer’s and vendor’s account information and rely on their cyber security to protect yours. 

 

Save Time and Money With ACH Payments

 

ACH payments offer several additional benefits over paper checks. ACH payment processing times are much faster. Meaning you will get paid faster and have more control over your cash flow. ACH is also a less expensive way to get paid, and using ACH frees up valuable time. If you use ACH through FINSYNC, you can also save time on the reconciliation of accounts payable and receivable, which happens automatically. FINSYNC also makes payment via ACH more secure because your routing information is never exposed to your vendors.

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

2020 Bookkeeping Checklist for Small Businesses

You wear multiple hats to run a successful small business. You’re not only the CEO, but you’re also the head of human resources, customer service representative, salesman, marketer, and bookkeeper.

 

Juggling all of these roles can be exhausting, and bookkeeping is often pushed to the side, as many small business owners view keeping the books as the task least related to the core of their business. Bookkeeping is, however, one of the most important jobs that must be done well in order for a small business to thrive.

 

Keeping accurate books ensures that you get paid on time. Also, you’re filing all of the necessary paperwork at the correct time. If you don’t stay compliant with local, state, and federal taxes and regulations, you and your business could be fined and penalized. 

 

Stay on top of your small business bookkeeping by putting these simple checklists in place to remind you what you should be doing every week, month, and quarter.

 

In order to make sure you are on the right track, here are the most common bookkeeping mistakes and how you can avoid them.

 

Weekly Small Business Bookkeeping

 

• Record Client Payments

This task could be done on a monthly basis. However, it saves you time and headaches if you do it on a weekly basis. If your accounting software is not connected to your bank, go over your bank statement and reconcile every payment. Doing so will allow you to see which clients are late paying you. That’s money that should be in your bank account!

• Pay Your Vendors

Review your accounts payable and make sure you have enough funds to pay all your vendors. It’s smart to use accounting software to keep copies of vendor invoices, regardless of how you actually make payments to your vendors. Paying your vendors on time and in full ensures that your supplies of the materials you sell or services you need are always available.

• Sort or File Receipts

It can be tempting to put all your receipts in a drawer or a box to deal with later, but come tax season, you’ll have a mountain of receipts to deal with. It’s better to organize them while your memory is fresh and you remember the details of the events. If you run a paperless office, use your accounting software to scan and file paper receipts. Doing this task weekly will ensure a far easier tax season.

 

Monthly Small Business Bookkeeping

 

• Payroll

Compensating your employees for their time is important. Make sure you have the correct tax tables and you’ve added any potential bonuses and overtime pay. If you’re using accounting software like FINSYNC, the tax withholdings will be made automatically.

You’ll also need to pay federal payroll taxes, which you can choose to pay monthly or bi-weekly. Many payroll providers can automate these tax payments as well.

• Send Invoices to Clients

This task is pretty straightforward. Gather up all of the information needed to invoice your clients, including timesheets, extra costs, etc. If you use FINSYNC’s Projects module, you’ll be able to simply generate the invoice from within the project, and the appropriate costs will carry through. 

Make sure you have the correct invoice information for all your clients, including the correct due dates and payment terms. One of the most important factors in managing your cash flow is understanding when you’ll get paid by your customers. 

• Follow Up on Unpaid Invoices

Go over unpaid invoices and decide what to do. You may want to follow up with an e-mail or a phone call, or it may be time to send those invoices to a collections agency. 

• Pay State Withholding Taxes  

If you operate in a state with income tax, you need to pay these taxes monthly. The amount and procedure will vary from state to state, so talk to your accountant to figure out the details.

• Reconcile Bank and Credit Card Accounts

This is important for making sure your bookkeeping records match your actual bank balances. It’s also a form of internal control to catch any fraud or payment anomalies.

 

Quarterly Small Business Bookkeeping

 

• File a Form for Federal and State Income Tax

Your payroll provider can help you file your income tax forms. Most small businesses will have to file a Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, each quarter. This form reports income taxes, social security taxes, or Medicare taxes withheld from employees’ paychecks. For state tax filing, check with an accountant. Your payroll provider will calculate taxes automatically and automate your tax returns to streamline this process. 

• Take Distributions  

Depending on your business structure, you might want to take distributions or pay quarterly dividends. 

• Evaluate Annual Profit and Loss Estimates

Once every three months is a good time to check in to see how your business is doing: how much money you’re making, how your net assets are doing, the difference between revenue and expenses, how well the profits are spent, etc. All of these factors will tell you if you need to make adjustments to improve sales and margins.

 

Yearly Small Business Bookkeeping

 

• Close Your Books for the Year

Ensure all financial information is documented, and save a copy of your year-end balance sheet, P&L statement, and cash flow statement. 

• File Any Necessary Forms  

Your payroll provider will ensure that you file any necessary forms, including a 1099-MISC form or a W-2, with the Social Security Administration and the state. You must also file either an IRS Form 1120 or an IRS Form 1120S for your business income taxes. Of course, you’ll need to file a personal income tax return as well. 

 

With proper planning, bookkeeping doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task, and we hope this checklist helps along the way. 

 

How FINSYNC Can Help

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

 

 

Spotlight on Small Business Owners: Kathy Pieper, Learning Cycle Tutors

Kathy Pieper spoke with us about successfully navigating her way through the rewarding journey of small business ownership with a little help from her credit union, RBFCU, and FINSYNC’s all-in-one payments platform.

By FINSYNC

Spotlight on Small Business Owners: Kathy Pieper, Learning Cycle Tutors 1

It’s been a busy year for Kathy Pieper, who took over Learning Cycle Tutors on the first day of the new year. Mike Shenk originally founded the business in 2015. He had recently retired from active military duty. Mike was considering moving his life in a different direction around the same time that Kathy relocated to central Texas from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The stars seemed to align as the two began discussions, and Kathy officially took over the business on January 1st. She was first introduced to FINSYNC by Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU). About the same time she was considering this exciting new venture.

RBFCU started to offer it’s 60,000+ business members access to FINSYNC’s cash flow management platform last year to support the credit union’s ongoing mission to help their business clients succeed through better financial management. 

As Kathy stepped into her new role running Learning Cycle Tutors, she found that being able to access her RBFCU account information through the FINSYNC platform helped simplify the process of taking over an existing business, and set the course for future success. 

We sat down with Kathy to learn about her new venture with Learning Cycle Tutors, and to find out how FINSYNC and RBFCU helped make the challenging journey a little bit easier.

What are some of the biggest rewards of running Learning Cycle Tutors, and owning a small business? 

I’m passionate about the work I do with my students. I love the one-on-one relationships I build with my students and their families. And nothing compares to being your own boss!  

And the biggest challenges?

Health insurance!

How were you first introduced to FINSYNC?

When I set up my business account with RBFCU. They mentioned that this service was available. In the past, I’ve used various versions of Quickbooks. I never felt completely satisfied. Once learning about the benefits of FINSYNC, it only made sense to try it! I’ve been very satisfied and the learning curve has been well worth it! 

How has FINSYNC helped you get up and running with Learning Cycle Tutors?

FINSYNC has been a wonderful and affordable alternative to other accounting packages out there. It’s easy to use and the customer service is outstanding! I’ve found the software very easy to learn. In addition, whenever I have a question Nathan has been readily available to help me figure things out! 

What FINSYNC features have benefited your business the most? 

I like the all-in-one model, the ability to accept many different methods of payment from a single platform, and that everything is synced from my bank account. 

Has it been helpful to access your RBFCU account through FINSYNC’s platform? 

Yes, that was one of the strong selling points for me — that I can access my account information through FINSYNC. Working with RBFCU and FINSYNC together has made it much easier for me to get Learning Cycle Tutors off the ground! Thank you!

If you’re an RBFCU business member, consider signing up for Business Elite Pro. It includes FINSYNC and other benefits to help you grow your business.

Spotlight on FINSYNC Specialists: Jennifer Brenner, Bookkeeper

A master of many trades who loves to invest time in her clients. Jennifer Brenner understands what it takes to help small businesses succeed through FINSYNC’s Services Network.

By FINSYNC 

Jennifer Brenner’s path to bookkeeping genius wasn’t necessarily a straightforward one. A former social worker looking for a way to be independent yet still help “save the world” in some regard, she was taken under the wing of a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) friend to learn the ins and outs of bookkeeping, and the rest is history. 

The Portland, OR native (who runs a non-profit in her spare time) named her company after her love for tattoos as well as the fact that black ink in a ledger historically meant that your money was in good standing.

We had a chance to chat with Jennifer to learn more about her journey and get her advice for small businesses.

Spotlight on FINSYNC Specialist: Jennifer Brenner, Bookkeeper

 

How did you become an independent bookkeeper? 

I used to be a social worker, and I was looking for a way out of that industry into a different one. My friend, who was a CPA, offered to teach me bookkeeping. I started doing that with her part-time, then went to a bookkeeping school, and then I went to accounting school and got an accounting degree. 

I was looking for a way to be independent but also still help people because as a social worker we’re always out to save the world. This was a way for me to still be helpful, but also be the master of my own time and earn a living wage.

Once I started fully focusing on bookkeeping, by word of mouth my clients would tell other people. Other people would begin to contact me and before long you’re running a business

What are some of the biggest rewards and challenges of being an independent contractor?

The biggest reward is being the master of my own time. I put in what I get out. It’s very much my energy. I know where it’s going and what I’m supporting, and it’s very fulfilling running my own business. 

The challenges are always the variation in cash flow and managing that. It’s not like a wage job where you are certain you’re getting a specific number of hours. It’s variable. Also, with the nature of what I do, I’m by myself a lot and that’s always a little difficult. You have to be very disciplined with your time and also managing your money. 

What has it been like to partner with FINSYNC through the Services Network? 

I really enjoy the people at FINSYNC that I’ve spoken with. The team is very supportive, very responsive. They have all the tools in place to help facilitate an easy relationship. They are there throughout my engagements to make sure everything’s going well.

What advice do you have for small business owners out there?  

Create your own business accounts that are just for the business, and don’t use them for personal use. Generally, every business either survives or fails within the first three years. Budgets for your business are key: your projected cash flows, your projected expenses. 

And don’t give up. It’s going to be hard running a business, but it’s also very rewarding. If it’s something you really want to do and it’s what you want for your career, make sure you really want to do it because you’ll be doing a lot of it. 

How do you help small business owners who are just getting started?  

By spending time educating new business about which business structure they have, whether they’re single-member LLC or S corporation or C corporation. I cover what the tax ramifications are and how they affect personal tax returns. It’s important for me to look at things from the umbrella of taxes because I came from preparing taxes and that’s usually a big concern for people. 

I also spend time educating them on estimated taxes for the business including S corporations, and their personal returns, and then running payroll for themselves. What it is to have a salary, depending on what kind of corporation they are, what kind of salary they can pay themselves but maintain the greatest tax benefit. 

I do a lot of educating on what it means to have a set of books, such as help them interpret a profit or loss, balance sheet, or a statement of cash flows. 

What’s the biggest accounting mistake you’ve seen a small business make? 

The biggest mistake that I’ve seen is business owners trying to do their own books. Doing your own books is the quickest way to create a mess. Especially if you don’t have a background or aren’t well taught.

My advice is: The skill that you start your business with is the thing that makes you money. Your best use of time is to use those skills to make your money versus trying to learn the whole accounting theory of debits and credits and trying to do your own books. It’s worth the money to pay someone well to do your books. 

If you don’t value your bookkeeper, your business is going to suffer. I have clients who every year insist on doing their own books. Every year I end up having to charge them a lot to clean up their books.  

What should small business owners know about working with their bookkeepers? 

I would encourage people to communicate with their accountant or bookkeeper. When they ask you for something, like documentation, or say “Hey, we have to get this in by this deadline,” respond appropriately. 

Many people tend to stick their head in the sand when it comes to the financial part of things. Responding to requests from your bookkeeper or accountant is very helpful for the relationship. 

When somebody has a bunch of clients and they have to ask you 20 times for something, they’re going to stop asking after a while and then your accounting will suffer. Do it as soon as possible.

What bookkeeping tasks should small business owners tackle now so they aren’t scrambling later in the year?

If they’re a new business, getting their books and bank accounts set up. If they’re an existing business, in terms of bookkeeping, it’s important to create their budget for the year. 

For me, January is the ending of the year before, but it’s also the beginning of the new year. If you’re a single-member LLC or you’re a partnership and you’re wanting to move to S corporation or you’re wanting to create a corporation, January is the time to do that. It’s good practice to get going at the beginning of the year.

The Best Type of Corporation For Your Small Business

Many small business owners consider incorporating their business, and for good reason. From tax benefits to name protection, there are many benefits to incorporation. 

 

There are five types of corporations you can choose from. When you’re trying to figure out which one fits your business the best, consider the following questions: 

 

• To what extent do you need protection from legal liability?

• What form of taxation fits your individual situation and the goals of your business?

• How much are you willing to spend on the formation and administration of your business?

• How much flexibility in ownership structure do you and your business partners need?

• Will you raise capital or need a bank loan?

 

Consider what your business might look like in 3-5 years. The advantages of some business structures might turn into disadvantages down the line.

 

Let’s take a closer look at the five types of incorporation for small businesses. 

 

C Corporation

 

C corporations are the business structure that most small businesses start with when they get incorporated. A small business might get incorporated for the sake of limited liability, raising capital, deduction of certain expenses, or ease of operation.

 

The owners of C corporations bear no legal responsibility for the liabilities of the company. In addition, C corporations can deduct fringe benefits from their taxes, such as insurance and medical expenses not covered by insurance. Employees are exempt from paying taxes on these benefits as well. 

 

Lastly, C corporations are easy to manage in terms of stock ownership. Stocks can transfer between owners or new owners fairly easily, and the company doesn’t have to dissolve when one of the owners passes away.

 

Limited Liability Companies (LLC)

 

LLCs are a hybrid business structure that has features of both a corporation and a partnership or a sole proprietorship. The owners of an LLC are called members. There are few restrictions on who can become a member. In addition to individuals, corporations, foreign entities, and even other LLCs can be members. 

 

In general, LLCs offer the following advantages:

 

• Members are not personally liable for the company’s liabilities.

• No double taxation because LLCs don’t pay taxes. Profits or losses appear on members’ tax returns.

• Good for holding appreciating assets.

 

LLCs require a bit more paperwork to run, and some states also impose more rules on LLCs than partnerships. For example, the requirements to form an LLC in Texas are simpler and more affordable compared to New York, where businesses must navigate a mandatory publication requirement, adding to both the cost and complexity. 

 

S Corporation

 

S corporations are often recommended to small business owners because it offer the same liability protection and tax benefits as an LLC. Owners may receive dividend payments, which are not subjected to self-employment tax, in addition to their salaries. Additionally, S corporations are simple to manage as stocks are easily transferable compared to ownership in an LLC.

 

There are, however, many more restrictions on who can form an S corporation, which includes individuals, estates, and certain types of trusts. Companies often start out as some other type of incorporation and then switch to an S corporation once they fit the criteria. Furthermore, S corporations cannot have more than 100 owners or issue more than one type of stock. 

 

While an LLC might be easier to set up, S corporations are the right choice for business owners who plan on getting outside capital or issuing stock in the future. In those cases, the best scenario is to form a C corporation and then make the S corporation tax election.

 

Sole Proprietorship

 

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business structure. It’s inexpensive to run, has minimal mandatory reporting, and very simple tax reporting. It is ideal if only one person will be running the business. There is no double taxation on sole proprietorships, as all business net income is taxed as personal income. 

 

On the downside, sole proprietors are personally responsible for all business liabilities, meaning their assets might be seized to cover any business debts or legal claims. It’s also difficult to raise capital or get a business loan as a sole proprietor.  

 

Partnership

 

A partnership is any for-profit venture undertaken by two or more parties. Governments, nonprofit enterprises, businesses, or private individuals can enter a partnership. There are two types of partnerships: general and limited. 

 

In a general partnership, all parties share profits and financial liability equally between themselves. In limited partnerships, each party is held liable individually, meaning you won’t be held responsible for the malpractice of your business partner. Partnerships are a common business model for professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, or architects.

 

If you are still unsure what type of corporation is right for your business, talk to your accountant and lawyer. They know the details of your business and may be able to advise what business model will benefit your particular business the most.

 

How FINSYNC Can Help

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

How to Plan for Retirement as a Small Business Owner

Whether you work alone, with business partners, or with trusted employees, a retirement plan can help you care for yourself and your team. A retirement plan can also offer tax breaks, attract employees, and help build personal wealth. 

 

How to Decide Which Plan to Pick

 

As a small business owner, you can choose between three types of retirement plans: 

 

• Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP IRA)

• Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE IRA)

• Self-Employed 401(k) (SBO 401(k)) plan

 

All three plans have their own benefits. The plan that’s best suited for your business will depend on: 

 

• The number of employees you have

• If you currently work alone, and whether you plan to hire in the future

• Who will contribute to the plan (you, the employees, or both)

• How much you want to contribute

• How much time and money you can spend on setting up and maintaining the plan

 

If you already have employees, the Self-Employed 401(k) plan is not an option for your business as the plan does not include “common law” employees. The same applies if you have any future hiring plans. 

 

Let’s take a look at all three plans in greater detail. 

 

SEP IRA

 

This type of retirement plan is the only employer-sponsored plan of the three. You can choose this plan if you are: 

 

• Self-employed

• Small business with employees

• Sole proprietor

• Partnership

• Corporation

S-corporation

 

The 2020 contribution limit for this plan is up to 25% of employee’s salary or $57,000 (whichever is less).

 

This limit is flexible, which means that you can change the contribution from year to year, depending on the financial situation of your business. This is a great opportunity for businesses that go through years of fluctuating income or for newly established companies. However, the percentage you choose to contribute to the plan cannot be different from what you contribute to your own retirement plan as a business owner. 

 

This type of retirement plan is free to set up and maintain. There is also no need to file a Form 5500. For each tax year, you have until April 15th of the following year to make the contribution. All SEP IRA contributions are tax-deductible. 

 

SIMPLE IRA

 

With the SIMPLE IRA, you, as a small business owner, can set up retirement plans both for your employees and yourself. The rules of who can open a SIMPLE IRA are a bit different than a SEP IRA. The following are eligible to open a SIMPLE IRA:

 

• Companies with less than 100 employees

• Sole proprietor

• Partnership

• Corporation

• S-corporation

 

The contribution limits are quite different compared to the SEP IRA. You can choose between:

 

• Option 1: You match up to 3% of your employees’ contributions. The 2020 contribution limit for employees is $13,500.

• Option 2: A 2% contribution of your employees’ salary regardless of whether they contribute or not. The maximum contribution for 2020 is $5,700.

 

The only difference between the options is whether you, as a business owner, will be required to contribute to the plan. If you choose option 1, you can lower the matching contribution percentage to 1%, but that’s only allowable for 2 out of 5 consecutive years.

 

In terms of cost and time management, SIMPLE IRAs have a plan fee and a participant fee. They don’t require you to file a Form 5500, but you must submit annual employee notifications. As a business owner, you can deduct your contributions to a SIMPLE IRA plan.

 

Self-Employed 401(k)

 

As stated earlier, this option is only available for small businesses with no “common law” employees. However, if you have business partners who have shares in the company, all of you can be covered by the plan. Spouses can be included in this plan as well. 

 

With a self-employed 401(k) plan, you and your business partner can contribute to the plan both as employees and employers. The contribution limits are the most generous of all plans:

 

• As an employee, you can make a salary-deferred contribution of up to $19,500 for 2020. If you are over 50, that limit is $26,000.

• The business can contribute up to 25% of your annual salary or $57,000 (whichever is lower). If you are over 50, that limit is $63,500.

 

If you and your business partner don’t have any plans to hire in the future, this is the best choice for your business. SBO 401(k) is simple to set up and has no maintenance cost. You must file a Form 5500 annually after the plan’s total contribution exceeds $250,000.

 

Both types of contributions to Self-Employed 401(k) are tax-deductible. If your business is not incorporated, you can deduct contributions for yourself from your personal income. If your business is incorporated, the contributions are considered a business expense.

 

Next Steps in Retirement Planning

 

Now that you’re familiar with your options, it’s time to start planning. Take some time to consider a few factors: 

 

• Are you planning on hiring in the future? 

• How important is it for you to contribute to your employees’ retirement? 

• How much do you, as a business owner, wish to save in retirement?

 

Answering these questions will help you decide which plan suits your business now and in the future.

 

How FINSYNC Can Help

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

Small Business Efficiency: Consolidating Control of Financial Tasks

One of the first realizations that strike entrepreneurs when they set out on their own is just how much multitasking is required to operate their small business day to day.  

 

You have to explore ways to grow your revenue, maintain existing customer relationships, and ensure you’re managing costs. All while staying on top of payments, invoicing, and myriad other key accounting tasks.  

 

That’s a tall order, especially when you’re running the show alone or with a handful of employees. Often, the technology businesses rely upon to help streamline their accounting tasks end up complicating matters. 

 

It can be time-consuming enough to learn how to navigate a typical bookkeeping program, never mind when you add on other software for making payments, managing payroll, and invoicing. Pretty soon, the time it takes to switch between multiple interfaces just to get a handle on whether you have enough cash flow to cover expenses at the end of the month begins to add up.

 

Even the most skilled multitaskers will be hard-pressed to keep up with that approach. Of course, there’s a far better option. Consolidating all of your financial accounts and simplifying cash flow management within a single software system. That’s what you get with FINSYNC’s financial platform.  

 

Centralizing control of your financial tasks within a single platform will optimize a large swath of your responsibilities. It will save you time and money. All while providing you with insights into how you can grow your business that would be far harder to come by with a decentralized accounting approach.  

 

One-Stop Accounts Management 

 

Streamlining financial tasks begins with consolidating your various accounts under one software platform. Once all your accounts are linked, essentially talking to each other, you can automate a variety of back-office tasks, including making payments, sending out and tracking invoices, and even processing payroll.   

 

This means you can quickly confirm whether a bill was paid or a customer received an invoice. A system like FINSYNC also automatically sends out invoices and email reminders to customers whenever their payment is past due.  

 

Every secure transaction, regardless of which bank or credit card account, is easily accessible. No more bouncing around from one application to the next and struggling to keep passwords straight.  

 

More importantly, the integration of your accounts makes it possible to set your bills to be paid automatically. This consolidated approach also generates an accurate electronic data trail of all your payouts and accounts receivable.  

 

Payroll is another area that can be greatly optimized by linking it to your other accounts within a platform like FINSYNC. An employee time-tracking feature can slash your processing time and minimize mistakes when calculating payroll.

 

A time-tracking application can also eliminate the data entry associated with physical methods of keeping tabs on employee work hours and ensures that your payroll is in compliance with employee tax withholding requirements.

 

This not only saves you time — and stress — it saves you money. Consider that FINSYNC customers, on average, save 30% on payroll alone.  Read more about the benefits of doing payroll processing from an integrative system.

 

A Consolidated, Comprehensive View  

 

Perhaps the most important benefit of combining all your back-office tasks under a single platform is that you gain a real-time, accurate view of your business’s financial condition. This enables you to optimize how you manage your cash flow. You can spot potential funding shortfalls well in advance.  

 

Need to make sure you have enough cash coming in to cover a big expense later in the quarter? FINSYNC enables you to set the time schedule for your customer invoices. This is so that you can allow enough time to increase the likelihood that revenue will be coming in on time to help cover your costs.  

 

Consolidating your accounts within FINSYNC’s platform also helps make it easier to keep your company in the black, with built-in time and expense monitoring and tools that can more accurately deliver project cost estimates. You can even track expenses and profitability on a task, phase, and project basis.  

 

More Payment Options

 

A platform like FINSYNC can also help you manage your cash flow by giving you the option of using credit cards to cover costs for goods or services even if the recipient doesn’t have a merchant account.  

 

The platform allows you to send and receive payments with full remittance details with an email address alone. That means you can send a payment using a credit card. Your customers or vendors won’t ever see your credit card details. If you use a credit card that offers cash back or other rewards, you’ll accrue rewards any time you send a payment using the card.  

 

The ability to use credit for all types of payments can come in handy, especially when you’re trying to preserve cash. 

 

How FINSYNC Can Help

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

Tips for Small Business Success: Hiring Employees

Running a small business requires adaptability. Managing your finances and planning new product launches are important assignments. But if you have to turn down clients, prepare to launch a new product or location, or have a specific set of tasks that require a different set of skills than you have, you should consider hiring employees to grow your team.

 

Hiring is one of the biggest challenges for small businesses. Recruiting new team members is not just about filling a vacant spot; it is an investment in your company’s future. It requires careful planning, thoughtful decision-making, and a clear understanding of your business needs. 

 

However, the process can feel overwhelming, especially when navigating it for the first time. This article will walk you through the essential steps to hiring new employees ensuring you find the right fit for your team.

 

Recruiting Talent

 

Craft a Comprehensive Job Description

A precise and informative job description can save you time in the long run. Specify the essential skills, experiences, and qualifications for which you are looking. Describe the responsibilities, but also share the mission and vision of your business to attract those who align with your values. Compensation and benefits details, if competitive, can lure top candidates.

Use Multiple Avenues to Find Candidates

Platforms like Glassdoor, Monster, and especially LinkedIn can be invaluable. Your network—family, friends, and business associates—can also be a treasure trove of recommendations. A personal referral can sometimes lead to a better fit than an unknown candidate.

Attend Industry-Related Events

Trade shows, seminars, workshops, and job fairs are goldmines for networking and spotting talent. You can engage with potential candidates by setting up a booth or simply attending as a participant. This allows one to gauge their interest, expertise, and fit for your company in a more informal setting. Moreover, these events can give your business visibility among professionals in your industry, making them more likely to consider joining your team.

 

The Hiring Process

 

Begin by categorizing the received resumes into ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ and ‘maybe’ groups. Streamline this process by ensuring each candidate meets the essential qualifications, presents a polished resume free from glaring mistakes, and possesses the necessary soft skills.

 

Once your potential interviewees are shortlisted, design your interview strategy. Formulate questions that delve into the candidate’s mindset, problem-solving abilities, and possible fit within the role. 

 

Probe into scenarios where they have excelled or faced challenges. A question about managing a challenging customer scenario could be revealing for roles directly interacting with customers. 

 

Further, gauge their enthusiasm for your company by inquiring about their specific interest and how they envision their first few months. End the interview by inviting any questions they might have and discussing the subsequent stages in the hiring journey.

 

Upon identifying the perfect employee to hire, determine a suitable compensation package. Before formalizing the offer with a letter, acquaint yourself with your state’s labor regulations, ensuring your offer complies. 

 

Setting Up Payments, Benefits, and Systems

 

Hiring is just the first step. Integrating your new hire into your business system is next.

 

1. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN), essentially a business’s SSN. A state or local tax ID might be needed, depending on your location.

2. All employees must fill out and return a W-4 or 1099 form. Decide on your pay schedule, leave and vacation policies, and which benefits you will offer.

3. Have a process to administer payroll. Make sure your team’s hours are correct and reimbursement requests are getting paid.

4. Ensure the new employee is equipped with the necessary hardware, such as a computer, and has access to all the software and platforms they will use. Send out invites or set up permissions in advance so they can seamlessly transition into their role from day one.

 

Employee Retention

 

Prioritizing employee retention not only helps in saving resources and maintaining productivity. It also preserves the foundational culture and knowledge base of the organization. Investing in your employees is an investment in the success and growth of your business.

 

Here is how you can keep your staff motivated and loyal:

 

Competitive Compensation: Stay updated with industry benchmarks and ensure your compensation packages align.

Avoiding Burnout: Understand that continuous work without breaks can lead to employee burnout. Ensure mechanisms are in place to give employees adequate downtime, regular holidays, and vacations. Create an environment where employees feel comfortable taking time off without fearing falling behind.

Guidance to the Next Level: Ensure your employees know the path forward. Provide them with clear guidelines on how to advance in their roles. This could involve training programs, mentorship, or even a clear list of milestones they need to achieve to move up in the company.

Benefits Beyond Salary: While a competitive salary is essential, employees often appreciate additional perks such as health and wellness programs, childcare assistance, and other non-traditional benefits.

Engagement Activities: Organize team-building events, workshops, and other activities to foster camaraderie and keep spirits high.

 

The Benefit of Contractors

 

When your business encounters peak seasons, contractors might be a valuable solution during these crucial times. By bringing them on board, you can effectively lighten the load on your current employees, allowing them to focus on higher-priority tasks and strategic initiatives.

 

Contractors usually bring specialized expertise tailored for specific projects or temporary needs. Their proficiency often means they require minimal training, making their integration seamless. Furthermore, opting for contractors provides flexibility; you get the necessary skills without committing to long-term benefits or contractual obligations.

 

Wrapping Up

 

Every small business has its own growth trajectory. As you consider expanding your team, it is vital to pinpoint what your business requires explicitly. Whether adding permanent team members or bringing in specialized contractors, being strategic in your hiring decisions is crucial. By making well-informed choices, you set the foundation for lasting success and continuous growth in your business.

 

How FINSYNC Can Help

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

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